Indirect faecal source tracking methods to elucidate critical sources and contaminant transfers through catchments – a review

In New Zealand, there is substantial potential for microbial contaminants from agricultural fecal sources to be transported into waterways. Understanding contaminant transport pathways from catchment to stream can aid water management strategies. It is not practical to conduct direct field measurement for all catchments, so fecal source tracking can be utilised to link catchment characteristics to fecal signatures identifying critical sources. In this article, we have reviewed approaches to identifying critical sources and pathways for fecal microorganisms from agricultural sources, and make recommendations for the appropriate use of these fecal source tracking (FST) tools.