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Montas Bravo L, Chen Y, Zhang H, Abdool-Ghany AA, Lamm E, Quijada A, Reiner R, Ortega Castineiras C, Knowles A, Precht L, Solo-Gabriele H. Enterococci pathways to coastal waters and implications of sea level rise. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 254:121341. [PMID: 38422693 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Highly urban coastal communities in low lying areas and with high water tables are vulnerable to sea-level rise and to corresponding increases in coastal groundwater levels. Stormwater conveyance systems are under increased risk. Rising groundwater levels affect the hydraulics of the stormwater system thereby increasing contaminant transport, for example the fecal indicator bacteria enterococci, to coastal waters. This study offers a unique opportunity to evaluate the impacts of increased contaminant transport on marine coastal environments. Here we assessed historic and recent coastal water quality, stormwater sampling data, groundwater monitoring and tidal elevations near the coastline, in the context of altered hydraulics within the system. Two pathways of enterococci to marine waters were identified. Direct discharge of contaminated stormwater runoff via the stormwater outfalls and tidally driven contaminated groundwater discharge. As sea level continues to rise, we hypothesize that a diminished unsaturated zone coupled with altered hydraulic conditions at the coastal groundwater zone will facilitate the transport of enterococci from urban sediments to the study site (Park View Waterway in Miami Beach, FL USA). We recommend improvements to the stormwater conveyance system, and maintenance of the sanitary sewer system to mitigate these impacts and minimize transport of enterococci, and other stormwater pollutants to coastal waters. The results of this study can be useful to interpret high enterococci levels in low lying coastal areas where groundwater is influenced by rising sea water levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Montas Bravo
- Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, University of Miami, 1251 Memorial Drive, McArthur Engineering Building, 1251 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States.
| | - Yutao Chen
- Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States
| | - Hekai Zhang
- Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States
| | - Afeefa A Abdool-Ghany
- Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, University of Miami, 1251 Memorial Drive, McArthur Engineering Building, 1251 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States
| | - Erik Lamm
- Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States
| | - Ashley Quijada
- Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, University of Miami, 1251 Memorial Drive, McArthur Engineering Building, 1251 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States
| | - Rivka Reiner
- Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, University of Miami, 1251 Memorial Drive, McArthur Engineering Building, 1251 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States
| | - Cristina Ortega Castineiras
- City of Miami Beach, Department of Public Works, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139, United States
| | - Amy Knowles
- City of Miami Beach, Environment and Sustainability Department, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139, United States
| | - Lindsey Precht
- City of Miami Beach, Environment and Sustainability Department, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139, United States
| | - Helena Solo-Gabriele
- Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, University of Miami, 1251 Memorial Drive, McArthur Engineering Building, 1251 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States; Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States
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Checon HH, Corte GN, Shah Esmaeili Y, Muniz P, Turra A. The efficacy of benthic indices to evaluate the ecological quality and urbanization effects on sandy beach ecosystems. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 856:159190. [PMID: 36195141 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Benthic indices have been widely used across different coastal ecosystems to assess ecological quality and detect anthropic impacts, but very few studies investigated their effectiveness on sandy beaches. Here, we evaluated and compared the efficacy of 12 assemblage-based benthic indices in assessing ecological quality in beaches, across a gradient of anthropic pressure and natural variability in 90 sandy beach sites. Overall, when sandy beaches were considered collectively, benthic indices had a poor performance in identifying decreases in ecological quality with increasing urbanization. However, when each morphodynamic type was evaluated separately, a few indices, especially those that were calibrated by reference conditions (i.e., M-AMBI, BAT, and BEQI-2), showed promising results for dissipative, and to a lesser extent, intermediate beaches. For reflective beaches, indices performed poorly, likely a reflection of the stronger natural disturbance these beaches are subjected to. Among functional indices, richness was found to be lower in urbanized beaches, but only in dissipative ones. Overall, our results show that benthic indices have the potential to be incorporated in sandy beach management and monitoring programs, especially for dissipative and intermediate beaches. For reflective beaches, given the early stage of studies with benthic indices in beaches, more research is needed to corroborate the observed patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helio H Checon
- Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), CEP 05508-120 São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, CEP 13083-862 Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Guilherme N Corte
- Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), CEP 05508-120 São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Escola do Mar, Ciência e Tecnologia, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí, CEP 88302-202 Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Yasmina Shah Esmaeili
- Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), CEP 05508-120 São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, CEP 13083-862 Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Pablo Muniz
- Oceanografía y Ecología Marina (OEM), Instituto de Ecología y Ciencias Ambientales (IECA), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Iguá 4225, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
| | - Alexander Turra
- Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), CEP 05508-120 São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Abdool-Ghany AA, Sahwell PJ, Klaus J, Gidley ML, Sinigalliano CD, Solo-Gabriele HM. Fecal indicator bacteria levels at a marine beach before, during, and after the COVID-19 shutdown period and associations with decomposing seaweed and human presence. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 851:158349. [PMID: 36041612 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Studies are limited that evaluate seaweed as a source of bacteria to beach waters. The objective of the current study was to evaluate whether seaweed, along with humans and other animals, could be the cause of beach advisories due to elevated levels of enterococci. The monitoring period occurred a year prior to and through the COVID-19 beach shutdown period, which provided a unique opportunity to evaluate bacteria levels during prolonged periods without recreational activity. Samples of water, sediment, and seaweed were measured for enterococci by culture and qPCR, in addition to microbial source tracking by qPCR of fecal bacteria markers from humans, dogs, and birds. During periods of elevated enterococci levels in water, these analyses were supplemented by chemical source tracking of human-associated excretion markers (caffeine, sucralose, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen). Results show that enterococci with elevated levels of human fecal markers persist in the seaweed and sediment and are the likely contributor to elevated levels of bacteria to the nearshore waters. During the shutdown period the elevated levels of enterococci in the sediment were isolated to the seaweed stranding areas. During periods when the beaches were open, enterococci were distributed more uniformly in sediment across the supratidal and intertidal zones. It is hypothesized from this study that human foot traffic may be responsible for the spread of enterococci throughout these areas. Overall, this study found high levels of enterococci in decomposing seaweed supporting the hypothesis that decomposing seaweed provides an additional substrate for enterococci to grow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afeefa A Abdool-Ghany
- Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Peter J Sahwell
- Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - James Klaus
- Department of Marine Geosciences, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Miami, Key Biscayne, FL, USA
| | - Maribeth L Gidley
- University of Miami, Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS), Miami, FL, USA; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML), Miami, FL, USA
| | - Christopher D Sinigalliano
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML), Miami, FL, USA
| | - Helena M Solo-Gabriele
- Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA.
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Tomenchok LE, Abdool-Ghany AA, Elmir SM, Gidley ML, Sinigalliano CD, Solo-Gabriele HM. Trends in regional enterococci levels at marine beaches and correlations with environmental, global oceanic changes, community populations, and wastewater infrastructure. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 793:148641. [PMID: 34328980 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
An increase in the number of advisories issued for recreational beaches across south Florida (due to the fecal indicator bacteria, enterococci) has been observed in recent years. To evaluate the possible reasons for this increase, we reviewed weekly monitoring data for 18 beaches in Miami-Dade County, Florida, for the years 2000-2019. Our objective was to evaluate this dataset for trends in enterococci levels and correlations with various factors that might have influenced enterococci levels at these beaches. For statistical analyses, we divided the 20-year period of record into 5-year increments (2000-2004, 2005-2009, 2010-2014, and 2015-2019). The Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to identify statistically significant differences between the geometric mean of different periods. When all 18 beaches were collectively considered, a significant increase (p = 0.03) in enterococci was observed during 2015-2019, compared to the prior 15-year period of record. To better understand the potential causes for this increase, correlations were evaluated with environmental parameters (rainfall, air temperature, and water temperature), global oceanic changes (sea level and Sargassum), community populations (county population estimates and beach visitation numbers), and wastewater infrastructure (sewage effluent flow rates to ocean outfalls and deep well injection). In relation to the enterococci geometric mean, the correlation with Sargassum was statistically significant at a 95% confidence interval (p = 0.035). Population (p = 0.078), air temperature (p = 0.092), and sea level (p = 0.098) were statistically significant at 90% confidence intervals. Rainfall, water temperature, beach visitation numbers, and sewage effluent flow rates via deep well injection had positive correlations but were not significant factors. Sewage effluent flow rates to ocean outfalls had a negative correlation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara E Tomenchok
- Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA
| | - Afeefa A Abdool-Ghany
- Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA
| | - Samir M Elmir
- Miami-Dade County Health Department, 1725 NW 167 Street, Miami, FL 33056, USA
| | - Maribeth L Gidley
- University of Miami, Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS), Miami, FL 33149, USA; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML), Miami, FL 33149, USA
| | - Christopher D Sinigalliano
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML), Miami, FL 33149, USA
| | - Helena M Solo-Gabriele
- Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA.
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Kelly E, Gidley M, Sinigalliano C, Kumar N, Solo-Gabriele HM. Impact of wastewater infrastructure improvements on beach water fecal indicator bacteria levels in Monroe County, Florida. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 763:143024. [PMID: 33168244 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The effects of wastewater infrastructure construction on regional and local environments is unknown. This project evaluated the effects of such projects in Monroe County, Florida, an area that had undergone regional wastewater infrastructure improvements. We used fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) (fecal coliform and enterococci), as a proxy indicator of beach water quality for an 18-year period of record. At the highest level of aggregation, FIBs for all 17 beaches within the county were combined to evaluate trends on a yearly basis. At the lower level, yearly FIB trends were evaluated for each beach separately. FIB data on infrastructure project period (categorical variables: before, during, and after construction), and the influences of environmental conditions (quantitative variables of rainfall and temperature) were also evaluated. In the multiple regression models, enterococci and fecal coliform were significantly associated with rainfall (24 h, p < 0.0001) and water temperature (p < 0.0001) when only the quantitative variables were considered. When both categorical and quantitative variables were considered, project period was significant for enterococci (p < 0.0001) and fecal coliform (p < 0.0001), as was 24 h lagged rainfall. Overall, the most significant factors for both fecal coliform and enterococci were rainfall and project period. Considering all beaches, infrastructure projects seem to have the collective desired effects in the years following construction, as there were decreased FIBs measured at beach sites. Only through the aggregation of all projects and measurements at all beach sites could the decreases in FIB levels be observed. Local analysis is needed to explain anomalies from these general trends for specific beaches. This understanding of FIBs, their responses to environmental and project factors, and the need for aggregated and local site analysis can provide guidance to managers at other locations with similar issues of failing wastewater infrastructure and frequent FIB exceedances.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Kelly
- University of Miami Leonard and Jayne Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy, Coral Gables, FL, USA; University of Miami Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Coral Gables, FL, USA; NSF NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - M Gidley
- NSF NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) Environmental Microbiology, Miami, FL, USA; University of Miami Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS), Miami, FL, USA
| | - C Sinigalliano
- NSF NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) Environmental Microbiology, Miami, FL, USA
| | - N Kumar
- University of Miami Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of Environment & Public Health, Miami, FL, USA
| | - H M Solo-Gabriele
- University of Miami Leonard and Jayne Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy, Coral Gables, FL, USA; University of Miami Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Coral Gables, FL, USA; NSF NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA.
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Ferguson A, Kumar Dwivedi A, Ehindero E, Adelabu F, Rattler K, Perone HR, Montas L, Mena K, Solo-Gabriele H. Soil, Hand, and Body Adherence Measures across Four Beach Areas: Potential Influence on Exposure to Oil Spill Chemicals. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E4196. [PMID: 32545527 PMCID: PMC7345354 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17124196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Skin adherence (SA) of soil affects exposure from soil contaminants through dermal routes via loading on the skin and through ingestion routes through hand to mouth activities. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the relationships between adherence versus child-specific and environmental factors. Two sets of soil-to-skin adherence were evaluated. The first was based on loading on hands following hand presses (Hand SA). The second was based on body rinses following one hour of play activities on the beach (Body SA). Results for 98-119 children conducted at four beach sites show that mean Hand SA was 35.7 mg/cm2 (std. dev. 41.8 mg/cm2), while Body SA based on full coverage was 352.3 mg/cm2 (std. dev. 250.4 mg/cm2). Statistically significant differences in Body SA were observed between male (419.2 mg/cm2) and female (300.4 mg/cm2) children (p < 0.05). No significant difference by sex was found for Hand SA. Other statistically different observations were that Hand SA (p < 0.05), but not Body SA, differed across the four beaches (p < 0.05). For Hand SA, this difference was associated soil size variability across the beaches. Hand and Body SA values measured during this study are recommended for use in risk assessments that evaluate beach exposures to oil spill chemicals for young children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alesia Ferguson
- Department of Built Environment, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA; (A.K.D.); (E.E.); (F.A.)
| | - Ashok Kumar Dwivedi
- Department of Built Environment, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA; (A.K.D.); (E.E.); (F.A.)
| | - Esther Ehindero
- Department of Built Environment, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA; (A.K.D.); (E.E.); (F.A.)
| | - Foluke Adelabu
- Department of Built Environment, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA; (A.K.D.); (E.E.); (F.A.)
| | - Kyra Rattler
- School of Social Work, University of Arkansas Little Rock, Little Rock, AR 72204, USA;
| | - Hanna Rose Perone
- Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA; (H.R.P.); (L.M.); (H.S.-G.)
| | - Larissa Montas
- Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA; (H.R.P.); (L.M.); (H.S.-G.)
| | - Kristina Mena
- School of Public Health, University of Texas-Houston, El Paso, TX 79905, USA;
| | - Helena Solo-Gabriele
- Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA; (H.R.P.); (L.M.); (H.S.-G.)
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Tomenchok LE, Gidley ML, Mena KD, Ferguson AC, Solo-Gabriele HM. Children's Abrasions in Recreational Beach Areas and a Review of Possible Wound Infections. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17114060. [PMID: 32517246 PMCID: PMC7313077 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17114060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Revised: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The Beach Exposure and Child Health Study (BEACHES) quantified the behavior of children at recreational beach areas to evaluate how various behaviors might affect their exposure to environmental contaminants such as bacteria and chemicals. Due to limited information in the study about abrasions, we conducted a literature review to examine how marine bacteria cause infections in open wounds. The literature review revealed possible adverse health effects from the bacterium Vibrio vulnificus due to its increasing prevalence and the severity of infection. We used data from the BEACHES study to review children's behavior and their susceptibility to abrasions. Children six years of age and younger were evaluated before and after 1 hour of play for open or healing abrasions at two beaches in Miami-Dade County, Florida (Crandon and Haulover), and two beaches in Galveston County, Texas (Stewart and Seawall). The children were videotaped to monitor their activities and to determine the behavior that would increase their susceptibility to obtaining abrasions. Overall, 58.2% of the children had at least one existing abrasion before playing at the beach, while 8.2% of the children acquired a new abrasion during their time at the beach. Children who acquired new abrasions most often played in the sea water, with new abrasions most frequently occurring on exposed skin surfaces such as the knees. Proper wound care before and after visiting the beach should be encouraged to minimize the risk of bacterial infection, especially considering the possible detrimental impacts that can be caused by some bacterial pathogens through wound exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara E. Tomenchok
- Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA;
| | - Maribeth L. Gidley
- Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS), University of Miami, Miami, FL 33149, USA;
- Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Miami, FL 33149, USA
| | - Kristina D. Mena
- School of Public Health, University of Texas, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Alesia C. Ferguson
- Department of Built Environment, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA;
| | - Helena M. Solo-Gabriele
- Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-305-284-2908
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Kelly E, Gidley M, Sinigalliano C, Kumar N, Brand L, Harris RJ, Solo-Gabriele HM. Proliferation of microalgae and enterococci in the Lake Okeechobee, St. Lucie, and Loxahatchee watersheds. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 171:115441. [PMID: 31927090 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2019.115441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This study is an analysis of relationships between microalgae (measured as chlorophyll a) and the fecal indicator bacteria enterococci. Microalgae blooms and enterococci exceedances have been occurring in Florida's recreational waterways for years. More recently, this has become a management concern as microalgae blooms have been attributed to potentially toxic cyanobacteria, and enterococci exceedances link to human infection/illness. Since both the microalgal blooms and bacterial exceedances occur in regions that receive managed freshwater releases from Lake Okeechobee, we hypothesized that both the blooms and exceedances are related to excess nutrients from the lake. Two experimental sites, on Lake Okeechobee and the St. Lucie River (downstream of the lake), plus a control site on the Loxahatchee River (which does not receive lake flow) were evaluated. The hypothesis was evaluated through three study components: 1) analysis of available long-term data from local environmental databases, 2) a year-long monthly sampling and analysis of chlorophyll a, enterococci, nutrients, and physical-chemical data, and 3) microcosm experiments with altered water/sediment conditions. Results support the hypothesis that excess nutrients play a role in both chlorophyll a and enterococci levels. For the St. Lucie River, analyses indicate that chlorophyll a correlated significantly with total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) (R2 = 0.30, p = 0.008) and the strongest model for enterococci included nitrate-nitrite, TKN, total phosphorus, orthophosphorus, and turbidity in our long-term analysis (n = 39, R2 = 0.83, p ≤ 0.001). The microcosm results indicated that chlorophyll a and enterococci only persisted for 36 h in water from all sources, and that sediments from Lake Okeechobee may have allowed for sustained levels of chlorophyll a and enterococci levels. Overall similarities were observed in chlorophyll a and enterococci relationships with nutrient concentrations regardless of a Lake Okeechobee connection, as underscored by a study of flow out of the lake and downstream areas. This suggests that both nutrient-rich lake water and untreated surface water runoff contribute to microalgae blooms and enterococci exceedances in southeast Florida.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Kelly
- University of Miami Leonard and Jayne Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy, Coral Gables, FL, USA; University of Miami Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Coral Gables, FL, USA; NSF NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - M Gidley
- NSF NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) Environmental Microbiology, Miami, USA; University of Miami Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS), Miami, USA
| | - C Sinigalliano
- NSF NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) Environmental Microbiology, Miami, USA
| | - N Kumar
- University of Miami Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of Environment & Public Health, Miami, FL, USA
| | - L Brand
- NSF NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA; University of Miami Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS), Miami, FL, USA
| | - R J Harris
- Loxahatchee River District, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - H M Solo-Gabriele
- University of Miami Leonard and Jayne Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy, Coral Gables, FL, USA; University of Miami Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Coral Gables, FL, USA; NSF NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA.
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Ferguson A, Solo-Gabriele H, Mena K. Assessment for oil spill chemicals: Current knowledge, data gaps, and uncertainties addressing human physical health risk. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 150:110746. [PMID: 31910518 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Limited models are available to estimate human physical health risks (e.g., probability of outcomes such as lung disease, cancer, skin disease) from exposure to chemicals resulting from oil spills that may occur offshore and later impact coastline spills. An approach is presented to assess physical health risks from oil spills that involves establishing a platform capable of assessing aggregate health risk (via inhalation, ingestion, and dermal exposure routes). Gaps include the need to develop models reflecting oil spill concentration distributions given the influence from environmental, physical, biological and chemical factors. Human activities need to be quantified for different populations including emergency response workers, fishermen, shellfish consumers, and children who play at beaches that may be impacted by oil spills. Work is also needed in developing comprehensive toxicological profiles for the majority of chemicals - including dispersants found in oil spills - and to estimate toxicity from mixtures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alesia Ferguson
- University of North Carolina Agriculatural and Technical State University (NCAT), Built Environment Department, Greensboro, NC 27411, United States.
| | - Helena Solo-Gabriele
- University of Miami, Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States.
| | - Kristina Mena
- University of Texas - Houston, School of Public Health, Houston, TX 77030.
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Weiskerger CJ, Brandão J, Ahmed W, Aslan A, Avolio L, Badgley BD, Boehm AB, Edge TA, Fleisher JM, Heaney CD, Jordao L, Kinzelman JL, Klaus JS, Kleinheinz GT, Meriläinen P, Nshimyimana JP, Phanikumar MS, Piggot AM, Pitkänen T, Robinson C, Sadowsky MJ, Staley C, Staley ZR, Symonds EM, Vogel LJ, Yamahara KM, Whitman RL, Solo-Gabriele HM, Harwood VJ. Impacts of a changing earth on microbial dynamics and human health risks in the continuum between beach water and sand. WATER RESEARCH 2019; 162:456-470. [PMID: 31301475 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2019.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Revised: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Although infectious disease risk from recreational exposure to waterborne pathogens has been an active area of research for decades, beach sand is a relatively unexplored habitat for the persistence of pathogens and fecal indicator bacteria (FIB). Beach sand, biofilms, and water all present unique advantages and challenges to pathogen introduction, growth, and persistence. These dynamics are further complicated by continuous exchange between sand and water habitats. Models of FIB and pathogen fate and transport at beaches can help predict the risk of infectious disease from beach use, but knowledge gaps with respect to decay and growth rates of pathogens in beach habitats impede robust modeling. Climatic variability adds further complexity to predictive modeling because extreme weather events, warming water, and sea level change may increase human exposure to waterborne pathogens and alter relationships between FIB and pathogens. In addition, population growth and urbanization will exacerbate contamination events and increase the potential for human exposure. The cumulative effects of anthropogenic changes will alter microbial population dynamics in beach habitats and the assumptions and relationships used in quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) and process-based models. Here, we review our current understanding of microbial populations and transport dynamics across the sand-water continuum at beaches, how these dynamics can be modeled, and how global change factors (e.g., climate and land use) should be integrated into more accurate beachscape-based models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea J Weiskerger
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - João Brandão
- Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisboa, Portugal; Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM) - Department of Animal Biology, University of Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Warish Ahmed
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boogo Road, Dutton Park, Old, 4102, Australia
| | - Asli Aslan
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, USA
| | - Lindsay Avolio
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Brian D Badgley
- School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Alexandria B Boehm
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Thomas A Edge
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jay M Fleisher
- College of Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
| | - Christopher D Heaney
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Luisa Jordao
- Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisboa, Portugal
| | | | - James S Klaus
- Department of Marine Geosciences, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | | | - Päivi Meriläinen
- Department of Health Security, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
| | | | - Mantha S Phanikumar
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Alan M Piggot
- Department of Earth and Environment, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Tarja Pitkänen
- Department of Health Security, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Clare Robinson
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael J Sadowsky
- BioTechnology Institute and Departments of Soil, Water, & Climate, and Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA
| | | | | | - Erin M Symonds
- College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, FL, USA
| | - Laura J Vogel
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kevan M Yamahara
- Monterrey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Moss Landing, CA, USA
| | - Richard L Whitman
- Great Lakes Science Center, United States Geological Survey, Chesterton, IN, USA
| | - Helena M Solo-Gabriele
- Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Valerie J Harwood
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
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11
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Children Exposure-Related Behavior Patterns and Risk Perception Associated with Recreational Beach Use. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16152783. [PMID: 31382616 PMCID: PMC6696461 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16152783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2019] [Revised: 07/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Background: Oil spill chemicals (OSCs) result not only from the crude oil components but also from dispersants used in the clean-up activities, where some may result in adverse health effects under certain exposure and dosage conditions. One of the main populations of concern for exposure to OSCs are children, who are frequent beach users. Activities such as ingestion of and digging in sand can increase dermal and ingestion exposure. Longer times spent at the beach can also increase exposures for all routes. Objectives: The Beach Exposure and Child Health Study (BEaCHeS) was initiated to evaluate the risk of exposure to children from oil contaminants. Reported here are results for surveys collected, as a part of the project, to address exposure-related behavior patterns and risk perception for parents or guardians who visit the beach. Methods: Over 400 parental surveys were collected at four beaches, two in Miami and two in Texas, to evaluate children’s exposure related activities. Surveys consisted of three general sections: demographics, exposure, and risk perception. Surveys were analyzed in REDcap and Stata to evaluate demographic and regional differences on activities related to beach behavior and potential exposures to oil contaminants (e.g., how much time spent on beach, cleaning habits following beach activities). The statistical analysis included the mean and standard errors, along with regressions to evaluate associations between parameters. Results: Overall, the data showed high variability in how children play on the beach, influenced more by age and less by gender. Variations were also seen in certain variables by beach region (e.g., hygiene practices). By race, variations were seen in income, distance of travel to beach, and preferred method of communication for beach warning. Other important findings are reflected in the article. Discussion: The data presented here may prove useful for those evaluating children exposures to a variety of contaminants, chemical, or bacterial in origin. In addition, coastal managers may find the risk perception and general behaviors useful for planning and maintenance of beach areas.
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12
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Roca MA, Brown RS, Solo-Gabriele HM. Fecal indicator bacteria levels at beaches in the Florida Keys after Hurricane Irma. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2019; 138:266-273. [PMID: 30660273 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.09.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Revised: 09/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Hurricanes cause infrastructure failures which can lead to contamination of impacted areas. The objective of the current study was to evaluate whether Hurricane Irma contributed towards sewage contamination of coastal beaches. Through this study we evaluated indicators of fecal pollution (fecal indicator bacteria [FIB], enterococci and fecal coliform) and physico-chemical parameters (salinity, pH, turbidity, and temperature) in coastal waters of the Florida Keys shortly after the hurricane. To augment available county sampling data, two sets of sampling efforts were conducted; one focused on collecting samples spatially throughout the Keys to assess whether areas closer to hurricane landfall were more highly impacted. The second was to collect temporally intensive samples at one location during falling tide to evaluate the hypothesis of groundwater contamination. Samples were analyzed for FIB using a new method called timed appearance of culture signal (TACS), which was subsequently calibrated using traditional membrane filter and chromogenic substrate methods. Results showed that coastal beach waters were characterized by elevated but sporadic levels of fecal indicator bacteria up to two months after the hurricane. Spikes were not correlated with physico-chemical characteristics of the water. Our temporally intensive sampling effort did not support the hypothesis that groundwater was a source of elevated FIB. Competing factors could have played a role in the sporadic nature of the FIB levels after the hurricane. We suggest that beach erosion may have flushed out sediments at beaches closer to the hurricane landfall location thereby improving water quality during dry conditions. We also suggest that during wet conditions a source of FIB could include runoff from debris staging areas. Preemptive beach closures immediately after the hurricane were justified due to the sporadic nature of FIB contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A Roca
- Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - R Stephen Brown
- School of Environmental Studies & Department of Chemistry, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Helena M Solo-Gabriele
- Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA; Center for Oceans and Human Health, Rosenstiel School for Marine and Atmospheric Science, Key Biscayne, FL, USA.
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13
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Barreras H, Kelly EA, Kumar N, Solo-Gabriele HM. Assessment of local and regional strategies to control bacteria levels at beaches with consideration of impacts from climate change. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2019; 138:249-259. [PMID: 30660270 PMCID: PMC6342290 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.10.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2018] [Revised: 09/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate relationships between local factors (beach geomorphology and management) and regional factors (infrastructure improvements and temperature changes) against levels of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) at recreational beaches. Data were evaluated for 17 beaches located in Monroe County, Florida (Florida Keys), USA, including an assessment of sanitary infrastructure improvements using equivalent dwelling unit (EDU) connections. Results show that elevated FIB levels were associated with beach geomorphologies characterized by impeded flow and by beaches with lax management policies. The decrease in EDUs not connected coincided with a decrease in the fraction of days when bacteria levels were out of compliance. Multivariate factor analysis also identified beach management practices (presence of homeless and concession stands) as being associated with elevated FIB. Overall, results suggest that communities can utilize beach management strategies and infrastructure improvements to overcome the negative water quality impacts anticipated with climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry Barreras
- University of Miami, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA; University of Miami, Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of Environment & Public Health, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Kelly
- University of Miami, Leonard and Jayne Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy, Coral Gables, FL, USA; NSF NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Key Biscayne, FL, USA; University of Miami, College of Engineering, Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, USA
| | - Naresh Kumar
- University of Miami, Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of Environment & Public Health, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Helena M Solo-Gabriele
- University of Miami, Leonard and Jayne Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy, Coral Gables, FL, USA; NSF NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Key Biscayne, FL, USA; University of Miami, College of Engineering, Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, USA.
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14
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Aslan A, Anderson KW, Chapman A. The Impact of Tides on Microbial Water Quality at an Inland River Beach. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 2018; 47:1123-1129. [PMID: 30272796 DOI: 10.2134/jeq2017.12.0499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Most coastal freshwater ecosystems in the United States have semi-tidal movements during the day. Routine monitoring of these environments is conducted once during the day when tides can be at either ebb or flood conditions, causing a variability in bacterial concentrations and misinterpretation of the illness risk associated with human activities. The occurrence and levels of enterococci (enterococci 23S rDNA [Ent23S]) and human- (HF183) and avian- (GFD) associated microbial source tracking (MST) markers were investigated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) along with detection of culturable enterococci and environmental parameters. Samples were collected during flood and ebb tide conditions (May-September) from a tidal river used for recreational activities. Culturable enterococci [(420) = 2.093, = 0.040] and Ent23S [(420) = 2.243, = 0.028] controlled for tide type were significantly different; higher enterococci concentrations were detected during the flood tide. Among all samples, 6% were positive for HF183, and GFD was positively correlated with Ent23S ( = 0.92, = 0.029) and conductivity ( = 0.93, = 0.023) during flood tide. Unlike the general assumption that ebb tide flow in a river would likely carry runoff from the land, the microbial contaminants in this case were transported from upstream via ocean water to the river during the flood tide. These results suggest that hydrology and land use patterns must be considered in sampling design when conducting future microbial water quality monitoring programs to better characterize recreational water safety in tidal rivers.
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15
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Dvorak AC, Solo-Gabriele HM, Galletti A, Benzecry B, Malone H, Boguszewski V, Bird J. Possible impacts of sea level rise on disease transmission and potential adaptation strategies, a review. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2018; 217:951-968. [PMID: 29679917 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.03.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2017] [Revised: 03/17/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Sea levels are projected to rise in response to climate change, causing the intrusion of sea water into land. In flat coastal regions, this would generate an increase in shallow water covered areas with limited circulation. This scenario raises a concern about the consequences it could have on human health, specifically the possible impacts on disease transmission. In this review paper we identified three categories of diseases which are associated with water and whose transmission can be affected by sea level rise. These categories include: mosquitoborne diseases, naturalized organisms (Vibrio spp. and toxic algae), and fecal-oral diseases. For each disease category, we propose comprehensive adaptation strategies that would help minimize possible health risks. Finally, the City of Key West, Florida is analyzed as a case study, due to its inherent vulnerability to sea level rise. Current and projected adaptation techniques are discussed as well as the integration of additional recommendations, focused on disease transmission control. Given that sea level rise will likely continue into the future, the promotion and implementation of positive adaptation strategies is necessary to ensure community resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana C Dvorak
- Dept. of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Helena M Solo-Gabriele
- Dept. of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA.
| | - Andrea Galletti
- Dept. of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Bernardo Benzecry
- Dept. of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Hannah Malone
- Dept. of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
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16
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Environmental Factors Correlated with Culturable Enterococci Concentrations in Tropical Recreational Waters: A Case Study in Escambron Beach, San Juan, Puerto Rico. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2017; 14:ijerph14121602. [PMID: 29257092 PMCID: PMC5751019 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14121602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Revised: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 12/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Enterococci concentration variability at Escambron Beach, San Juan, Puerto Rico, was examined in the context of environmental conditions observed during 2005–2015. Satellite-derived sea surface temperature (SST), turbidity, direct normal irradiance, and dew point were combined with local precipitation, winds, and mean sea level (MSL) observations in a stepwise multiple regression analyses (Akaike Information Criteria model selection). Precipitation, MSL, irradiance, SST, and turbidity explained 20% of the variation in observed enterococci concentrations based upon these analyses. Changes in these parameters preceded increases in enterococci concentrations by 24 h up to 11 days, particularly during positive anomalies of turbidity, SST, and 480–960 mm of accumulated (4 days) precipitation, which relates to bacterial ecology. Weaker, yet still significant, increases in enterococci concentrations were also observed during positive dew point anomalies. Enterococci concentrations decreased with elevated irradiance and MSL anomalies. Unsafe enterococci concentrations per US EPA recreational water quality guidelines occurred when 4-day cumulative precipitation ranged 481–960 mm; irradiance < 667 W·m−2; daily average turbidity anomaly >0.005 sr−1; SST anomaly >0.8 °C; and 3-day average MSL anomaly <−18.8 cm. This case study shows that satellite-derived environmental data can be used to inform future water quality studies and protect human health.
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17
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Vogel LJ, Edge TA, O'Carroll DM, Solo-Gabriele HM, Kushnir CSE, Robinson CE. Evaluation of methods to sample fecal indicator bacteria in foreshore sand and pore water at freshwater beaches. WATER RESEARCH 2017; 121:204-212. [PMID: 28538189 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2017.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2016] [Revised: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) are known to accumulate in foreshore beach sand and pore water (referred to as foreshore reservoir) where they act as a non-point source for contaminating adjacent surface waters. While guidelines exist for sampling surface waters at recreational beaches, there is no widely-accepted method to collect sand/sediment or pore water samples for FIB enumeration. The effect of different sampling strategies in quantifying the abundance of FIB in the foreshore reservoir is unclear. Sampling was conducted at six freshwater beaches with different sand types to evaluate sampling methods for characterizing the abundance of E. coli in the foreshore reservoir as well as the partitioning of E. coli between different components in the foreshore reservoir (pore water, saturated sand, unsaturated sand). Methods were evaluated for collection of pore water (drive point, shovel, and careful excavation), unsaturated sand (top 1 cm, top 5 cm), and saturated sand (sediment core, shovel, and careful excavation). Ankle-depth surface water samples were also collected for comparison. Pore water sampled with a shovel resulted in the highest observed E. coli concentrations (only statistically significant at fine sand beaches) and lowest variability compared to other sampling methods. Collection of the top 1 cm of unsaturated sand resulted in higher and more variable concentrations than the top 5 cm of sand. There were no statistical differences in E. coli concentrations when using different methods to sample the saturated sand. Overall, the unsaturated sand had the highest amount of E. coli when compared to saturated sand and pore water (considered on a bulk volumetric basis). The findings presented will help determine the appropriate sampling strategy for characterizing FIB abundance in the foreshore reservoir as a means of predicting its potential impact on nearshore surface water quality and public health risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura J Vogel
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Thomas A Edge
- Environment Canada, Canada Center for Inland Waters, Burlington, Ontario, L7S 1A1, Canada
| | - Denis M O'Carroll
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 3K7, Canada; School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Connected Water Institute, University of New South Wales, Manly Vale, NSW 2093, Australia
| | - Helena M Solo-Gabriele
- Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA
| | - Caitlin S E Kushnir
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Clare E Robinson
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 3K7, Canada.
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18
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Donahue A, Feng Z, Kelly E, Reniers A, Solo-Gabriele HM. Significance of beach geomorphology on fecal indicator bacteria levels. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2017; 121:160-167. [PMID: 28595980 PMCID: PMC5548550 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2016] [Revised: 04/29/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Large databases of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) measurements are available for coastal waters. With the assistance of satellite imagery, we illustrated the power of assessing data for many sites by evaluating beach features such as geomorphology, distance from rivers and canals, presence of piers and causeways, and degree of urbanization coupled with the enterococci FIB database for the state of Florida. We found that beach geomorphology was the primary characteristic associated with enterococci levels that exceeded regulatory guidelines. Beaches in close proximity to marshes or within bays had higher enterococci exceedances in comparison to open coast beaches. For open coast beaches, greater enterococci exceedances were associated with nearby rivers and higher levels of urbanization. Piers and causeways had a minimal contribution, as their effect was often overwhelmed by beach geomorphology. Results can be used to understand the potential causes of elevated enterococci levels and to promote public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison Donahue
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA; Center for Oceans and Human Health, Rosenstiel School for Marine and Atmospheric Science, Key Biscayne, FL, USA; Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Zhixuan Feng
- Center for Oceans and Human Health, Rosenstiel School for Marine and Atmospheric Science, Key Biscayne, FL, USA; Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA
| | - Elizabeth Kelly
- Center for Oceans and Human Health, Rosenstiel School for Marine and Atmospheric Science, Key Biscayne, FL, USA; Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, Coral Gables, FL, USA; Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Ad Reniers
- Center for Oceans and Human Health, Rosenstiel School for Marine and Atmospheric Science, Key Biscayne, FL, USA; Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, Delft 2628CN, The Netherlands
| | - Helena M Solo-Gabriele
- Center for Oceans and Human Health, Rosenstiel School for Marine and Atmospheric Science, Key Biscayne, FL, USA; Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, Coral Gables, FL, USA; Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA.
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19
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Wu MZ, O'Carroll DM, Vogel LJ, Robinson CE. Effect of Low Energy Waves on the Accumulation and Transport of Fecal Indicator Bacteria in Sand and Pore Water at Freshwater Beaches. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:2786-2794. [PMID: 28186740 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b05985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Elevated fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) in beach sand and pore water represent an important nonpoint source of contamination to surface waters. This study examines the physical processes governing the accumulation and distribution of FIB in a beach aquifer. Field data indicate E. coli and enterococci can be transported 1 and 2 m, respectively, below the water table. Data were used to calibrate a numerical model whereby FIB are delivered to a beach aquifer by wave-induced infiltration across the beach face. Simulations indicate FIB rapidly accumulate in a beach aquifer with FIB primarily associated with sand rather than freely residing in the pore water. Simulated transport of E. coli in a beach aquifer is complex and does not correlate with conservative tracer transport. Beaches with higher wave-induced infiltration rate and vertical infiltration velocity (i.e., beaches with higher beach slope and wave height, and lower terrestrial groundwater discharge) had greater E. coli accumulation and E. coli was transported deeper below the beach face. For certain beach conditions, the amount of FIB accumulated in sand over 5-6 days was found to be sufficient to trigger a beach advisory if eroded to surface water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Zhi Wu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Western University , London ON, Canada N6A 5B9
| | - Denis M O'Carroll
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Western University , London ON, Canada N6A 5B9
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Connected Water Initiative, University of New South Wales , Manly Vale NSW 2093, Australia
| | - Laura J Vogel
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Western University , London ON, Canada N6A 5B9
| | - Clare E Robinson
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Western University , London ON, Canada N6A 5B9
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20
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Ferguson A, Penney R, Solo-Gabriele H. A Review of the Field on Children's Exposure to Environmental Contaminants: A Risk Assessment Approach. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2017; 14:E265. [PMID: 28273865 PMCID: PMC5369101 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14030265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2016] [Revised: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 02/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Background: Children must be recognized as a sensitive population based on having biological systems and organs in various stages of development. The processes of absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination of environmental contaminants within a child's body are considered less advanced than those of adults, making them more susceptible to disease outcomes following even small doses. Children's unique activities of crawling and practicing increased hand-to-mouth ingestion also make them vulnerable to greater exposures by certain contaminants within specific environments. Approach: There is a need to review the field of children's environmental exposures in order to understand trends and identify gaps in research, which may lead to better protection of this vulnerable and sensitive population. Therefore, explored here are previously published contemporary works in the broad area of children's environmental exposures and potential impact on health from around the world. A discussion of children's exposure to environmental contaminants is best organized under the last four steps of a risk assessment approach: hazard identification, dose-response assessment, exposure assessment (including children's activity patterns) and risk characterization. We first consider the many exposure hazards that exist in the indoor and outdoor environments, and emerging contaminants of concern that may help guide the risk assessment process in identifying focus areas for children. A section on special diseases of concern is also included. Conclusions: The field of children's exposures to environmental contaminants is broad. Although there are some well-studied areas offering much insight into children exposures, research is still needed to further our understanding of exposures to newer compounds, growing disease trends and the role of gene-environment interactions that modify adverse health outcomes. It is clear that behaviors of adults and children play a role in reducing or increasing a child's exposure, where strategies to better communicate and implement risk modifying behaviors are needed, and can be more effective than implementing changes in the physical environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alesia Ferguson
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham, Slot 820, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
| | - Rosalind Penney
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham, Slot 820, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
| | - Helena Solo-Gabriele
- Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Miami, Florida, 1251 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA.
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21
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Children's Exposure to Environmental Contaminants: An Editorial Reflection of Articles in the IJERPH Special Issue Entitled, "Children's Exposure to Environmental Contaminants". INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2016; 13:ijerph13111117. [PMID: 27834888 PMCID: PMC5129327 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph13111117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 11/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Children are at increased vulnerability to many environmental contaminants compared to adults due to their unique behavior patterns, increased contaminant intake per body weight, and developing biological systems. Depending upon their age, young children may crawl on the floor and may practice increased hand to mouth activity that may increase their dose-intake of specific contaminants that accumulate in dust and other matrices. Children are also smaller in size than adults, resulting in a greater body burden for a given contaminant dose. Because children undergo rapid transitions through particular developmental stages they are also especially vulnerable during certain growth-related time windows. A Special Issue was organized focused on the latest findings in the field of children’s environmental exposure for these reasons. This editorial introduces articles in this Special Issue and emphasizes their main findings in advancing the field. From the many articles submitted to this Special Issue from around the world, 23 were accepted and published. They focus on a variety of research areas such as children’s activity patterns, improved risk assessment methods to estimate exposures, and exposures in various contexts and to various contaminants. The future health of a nation relies on protecting the children from adverse exposures and understanding the etiology of childhood diseases. The field of children’s environmental exposures must consider improved and comprehensive research methods aimed at introducing mitigation strategies locally, nationally, and globally. We are happy to introduce a Special Issue focused on children’s environmental exposure and children’s health and hope that it contributes towards improved health of children.
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22
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Risk Assessment for Children Exposed to Beach Sands Impacted by Oil Spill Chemicals. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2016; 13:ijerph13090853. [PMID: 27618904 PMCID: PMC5036686 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph13090853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Revised: 08/12/2016] [Accepted: 08/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Due to changes in the drilling industry, oil spills are impacting large expanses of coastlines, thereby increasing the potential for people to come in contact with oil spill chemicals. The objective of this manuscript was to evaluate the health risk to children who potentially contact beach sands impacted by oil spill chemicals from the Deepwater Horizon disaster. To identify chemicals of concern, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) monitoring data collected during and immediately after the spill were evaluated. This dataset was supplemented with measurements from beach sands and tar balls collected five years after the spill. Of interest is that metals in the sediments were observed at similar levels between the two sampling periods; some differences were observed for metals levels in tar balls. Although PAHs were not observed five years later, there is evidence of weathered-oil oxidative by-products. Comparing chemical concentration data to baseline soil risk levels, three metals (As, Ba, and V) and four PAHs (benzo[a]pyrene, benz[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, and dibenz[a,h]anthracene) were found to exceed guideline levels prompting a risk assessment. For acute or sub-chronic exposures, hazard quotients, computed by estimating average expected contact behavior, showed no adverse potential health effects. For cancer, computations using 95% upper confidence limits for contaminant concentrations showed extremely low increased risk in the 10−6 range for oral and dermal exposure from arsenic in sediments and from dermal exposure from benzo[a]pyrene and benz[a]anthracene in weathered oil. Overall, results suggest that health risks are extremely low, given the limitations of available data. Limitations of this study are associated with the lack of toxicological data for dispersants and oil-spill degradation products. We also recommend studies to collect quantitative information about children’s beach play habits, which are necessary to more accurately assess exposure scenarios and health risks.
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Vogel LJ, O'Carroll DM, Edge TA, Robinson CE. Release of Escherichia coli from Foreshore Sand and Pore Water during Intensified Wave Conditions at a Recreational Beach. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2016; 50:5676-5684. [PMID: 27120087 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b00707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Foreshore beach sands and pore water may act as a reservoir and nonpoint source of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) to surface waters. This paper presents data collected at a fine sand beach on Lake Huron, Canada over three field events. The data show that foreshore sand erosion as wave height increases results in elevated Escherichia coli concentrations in surface water, as well as depletion of E. coli from the foreshore sand and pore water. E. coli initially attached to foreshore sand rather than initially residing in the pore water was found to be the main contributor to elevated surface water concentrations. Surface water E. coli concentrations were a function of not only wave height (and associated sand erosion) but also the time elapsed since a preceding period of high wave intensity. This finding is important for statistical regression models used to predict beach advisories. While calculations suggest that foreshore sand erosion may be the dominant mechanism for releasing E. coli to surface water during intensified wave conditions at a fine sand beach, comparative characterization of the E. coli distribution at a coarse sand-cobble beach suggests that interstitial pore water flow and discharge may be more important for coarser sand beaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura J Vogel
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Western Ontario , London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Denis M O'Carroll
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Western Ontario , London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Thomas A Edge
- Environment Canada, Canada Center for Inland Waters, Burlington, Ontario L7S 1A1, Canada
| | - Clare E Robinson
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Western Ontario , London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada
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Aranda D, Lopez JV, Solo-Gabriele HM, Fleisher JM. Using probabilities of enterococci exceedance and logistic regression to evaluate long term weekly beach monitoring data. JOURNAL OF WATER AND HEALTH 2016; 14:81-89. [PMID: 26837832 DOI: 10.2166/wh.2015.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Recreational water quality surveillance involves comparing bacterial levels to set threshold values to determine beach closure. Bacterial levels can be predicted through models which are traditionally based upon multiple linear regression. The objective of this study was to evaluate exceedance probabilities, as opposed to bacterial levels, as an alternate method to express beach risk. Data were incorporated into a logistic regression for the purpose of identifying environmental parameters most closely correlated with exceedance probabilities. The analysis was based on 7,422 historical sample data points from the years 2000-2010 for 15 South Florida beach sample sites. Probability analyses showed which beaches in the dataset were most susceptible to exceedances. No yearly trends were observed nor were any relationships apparent with monthly rainfall or hurricanes. Results from logistic regression analyses found that among the environmental parameters evaluated, tide was most closely associated with exceedances, with exceedances 2.475 times more likely to occur at high tide compared to low tide. The logistic regression methodology proved useful for predicting future exceedances at a beach location in terms of probability and modeling water quality environmental parameters with dependence on a binary response. This methodology can be used by beach managers for allocating resources when sampling more than one beach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Aranda
- Guy Harvey Oceanographic Center, Nova Southeastern University, Dania Beach, FL 33004, USA; Oceans and Human Health Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33149, USA
| | - Jose V Lopez
- Guy Harvey Oceanographic Center, Nova Southeastern University, Dania Beach, FL 33004, USA
| | - Helena M Solo-Gabriele
- Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA; Oceans and Human Health Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33149, USA
| | - Jay M Fleisher
- Nova Southeastern University, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Davie, FL 33004, USA E-mail: ; Oceans and Human Health Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33149, USA
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Davino AMC, de Melo MB, Caffaro Filho RA. Assessing the sources of high fecal coliform levels at an urban tropical beach. Braz J Microbiol 2015; 46:1019-26. [PMID: 26691459 PMCID: PMC4704631 DOI: 10.1590/s1517-838246420140466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2014] [Accepted: 02/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Recreational water quality is commonly assessed by microbial indicators such as fecal
coliforms. Maceió is the capital of Alagoas state, located in tropical northeastern
Brazil. Its beaches are considered as the most beautiful urban beaches in the
country. Jatiúca Beach in Maceió was found to be unsuitable for bathing continuously
during the year of 2011. The same level of contamination was not observed in
surrounding beaches. The aim of this study was to initiate the search for the sources
of these high coliform levels, so that contamination can be eventually mitigated. We
performed a retrospective analysis of historical results of fecal coliform
concentrations from 2006 to 2012 at five monitoring stations located in the study
region. Results showed that Jatiúca Beach consistently presented the worst quality
among the studied beaches. A field survey was conducted to identify existing point
and non-point sources of pollution in the area. Monitoring in the vicinity of Jatiúca
was spatially intensified. Fecal coliform concentrations were categorized according
to tide range and tide stage. A storm drain located in northern Jatiúca was
identified as the main point source of the contamination. However, fecal coliform
concentrations at Jatiúca were high during high tides and spring tides even when this
point source was inactive (no rainfall). We hypothesize that high fecal coliform
levels in Jatiúca Beach may also be caused by aquifer contamination or, more likely,
from tide washing of contaminated sand. Both of these hypotheses will be further
investigated.
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26
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Feng Z, Reniers A, Haus BK, Solo-Gabriele HM, Wang JD, Fleming LE. A predictive model for microbial counts on beaches where intertidal sand is the primary source. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2015; 94:37-47. [PMID: 25840869 PMCID: PMC4424109 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2014] [Revised: 03/06/2015] [Accepted: 03/09/2015] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Human health protection at recreational beaches requires accurate and timely information on microbiological conditions to issue advisories. The objective of this study was to develop a new numerical mass balance model for enterococci levels on nonpoint source beaches. The significant advantage of this model is its easy implementation, and it provides a detailed description of the cross-shore distribution of enterococci that is useful for beach management purposes. The performance of the balance model was evaluated by comparing predicted exceedances of a beach advisory threshold value to field data, and to a traditional regression model. Both the balance model and regression equation predicted approximately 70% the advisories correctly at the knee depth and over 90% at the waist depth. The balance model has the advantage over the regression equation in its ability to simulate spatiotemporal variations of microbial levels, and it is recommended for making more informed management decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixuan Feng
- Department of Ocean Sciences, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149, USA; NSF NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149, USA.
| | - Ad Reniers
- Department of Ocean Sciences, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149, USA; NSF NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149, USA; Department of Hydraulic Engineering, Environmental Fluid Mechanics Section, Delft University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, 2628 CN Delft, Netherlands
| | - Brian K Haus
- Department of Ocean Sciences, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149, USA; NSF NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149, USA
| | - Helena M Solo-Gabriele
- NSF NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149, USA; Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Miami, 1251 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA
| | - John D Wang
- Department of Ocean Sciences, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149, USA; NSF NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149, USA
| | - Lora E Fleming
- NSF NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149, USA; European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3HD, UK
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27
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Halliday E, Ralston DK, Gast RJ. Contribution of sand-associated enterococci to dry weather water quality. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2015; 49:451-8. [PMID: 25479559 PMCID: PMC4304835 DOI: 10.1021/es504908h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2014] [Revised: 12/04/2014] [Accepted: 12/05/2014] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Culturable enterococci and a suite of environmental variables were collected during a predominantly dry summer at a beach impacted by nonpoint source pollution. These data were used to evaluate sands as a source of enterococci to nearshore waters, and to assess the relationship between environmental factors and dry-weather enterococci abundance. Best-fit multiple linear regressions used environmental variables to explain more than half of the observed variation in enterococci in water and dry sands. Notably, during dry weather the abundance of enterococci in dry sands at the mean high-tide line was significantly positively related to sand moisture content (ranging from <1-4%), and the daily mean ENT in water could be predicted by a linear regression with turbidity alone. Temperature was also positively correlated with ENT abundance in this study, which may indicate an important role of seasonal warming in temperate regions. Inundation by spring tides was the primary rewetting mechanism that sustained culturable enterococci populations in high-tide sands. Tidal forcing modulated the abundance of enterococci in the water, as both turbidity and enterococci were elevated during ebb and flood tides. The probability of samples violating the single-sample maximum was significantly greater when collected during periods with increased tidal range: spring ebb and flood tides. Tidal forcing also affected groundwater mixing zones, mobilizing enterococci from sand to water. These data show that routine monitoring programs using discrete enterococci measurements may be biased by tides and other environmental factors, providing a flawed basis for beach closure decisions.
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Whitman R, Harwood VJ, Edge TA, Nevers M, Byappanahalli M, Vijayavel K, Brandão J, Sadowsky MJ, Alm EW, Crowe A, Ferguson D, Ge Z, Halliday E, Kinzelman J, Kleinheinz G, Przybyla-Kelly K, Staley C, Staley Z, Solo-Gabriele HM. Microbes in Beach Sands: Integrating Environment, Ecology and Public Health. RE/VIEWS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND BIO/TECHNOLOGY 2014; 13:329-368. [PMID: 25383070 PMCID: PMC4219924 DOI: 10.1007/s11157-014-9340-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Beach sand is a habitat that supports many microbes, including viruses, bacteria, fungi and protozoa (micropsammon). The apparently inhospitable conditions of beach sand environments belie the thriving communities found there. Physical factors, such as water availability and protection from insolation; biological factors, such as competition, predation, and biofilm formation; and nutrient availability all contribute to the characteristics of the micropsammon. Sand microbial communities include autochthonous species/phylotypes indigenous to the environment. Allochthonous microbes, including fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) and waterborne pathogens, are deposited via waves, runoff, air, or animals. The fate of these microbes ranges from death, to transient persistence and/or replication, to establishment of thriving populations (naturalization) and integration in the autochthonous community. Transport of the micropsammon within the habitat occurs both horizontally across the beach, and vertically from the sand surface and ground water table, as well as at various scales including interstitial flow within sand pores, sediment transport for particle-associated microbes, and the large-scale processes of wave action and terrestrial runoff. The concept of beach sand as a microbial habitat and reservoir of FIB and pathogens has begun to influence our thinking about human health effects associated with sand exposure and recreational water use. A variety of pathogens have been reported from beach sands, and recent epidemiology studies have found some evidence of health risks associated with sand exposure. Persistent or replicating populations of FIB and enteric pathogens have consequences for watershed/beach management strategies and regulatory standards for safe beaches. This review summarizes our understanding of the community structure, ecology, fate, transport, and public health implications of microbes in beach sand. It concludes with recommendations for future work in this vastly under-studied area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Whitman
- Great Lakes Science Center, United States Geological Survey, 1100 N. Mineral Springs Road, Porter, IN 46304, USA
| | - Valerie J. Harwood
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, SCA 110, 4202 E. Fowler Ave. Tampa, FL 33620, USA
| | - Thomas A. Edge
- Canada Centre for Inland Waters, Environment Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, Ontario, Canada L7R 4A6
| | - Meredith Nevers
- Great Lakes Science Center, United States Geological Survey, 1100 N. Mineral Springs Road, Porter, IN 46304, USA
| | - Muruleedhara Byappanahalli
- Great Lakes Science Center, United States Geological Survey, 1100 N. Mineral Springs Road, Porter, IN 46304, USA
| | - Kannappan Vijayavel
- Environmental Health Division, Ottawa County Health Department, 12251 James Street, Suite 200, Holland, MI, 49424, USA
- Remediation and Redevelopment Division, Department of Environmental Quality, State of Michigan, 525 W. Allegan St., Lansing, MI 48909. USA
| | - João Brandão
- Reference Unit for Systemic Infections and Zoonosis, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Av. Padre Cruz 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Michael J. Sadowsky
- Department of Soil, Water, and Climate, BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA
| | - Elizabeth Wheeler Alm
- Department of Biology & Institute for Great Lakes Research, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859
| | - Allan Crowe
- Canada Centre for Inland Waters, Environment Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, Ontario, Canada L7R 4A6
| | - Donna Ferguson
- Environmental Health Sciences Department, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, California 90024, USA
| | - Zhongfu Ge
- Great Lakes Science Center, United States Geological Survey, 1100 N. Mineral Springs Road, Porter, IN 46304, USA
| | | | - Julie Kinzelman
- Department of Public Health, City of Racine, 730 Washington Avenue, Room 109, Racine, WI 53403, USA
| | - Greg Kleinheinz
- Environmental Research and Innovation Centre, University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh, 800 Algoma Boulevard, Oshkosh, WI 54901, USA
| | - Kasia Przybyla-Kelly
- Great Lakes Science Center, United States Geological Survey, 1100 N. Mineral Springs Road, Porter, IN 46304, USA
| | - Christopher Staley
- Department of Soil, Water, and Climate, BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA
| | - Zachery Staley
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond St., London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Helena M. Solo-Gabriele
- Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, 1251 Memorial Drive, McArthur Building Room 252, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA and, Oceans and Human Health Center, University of Miami Rosenstiel, School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149, USA
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29
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Fiorentino LA, Olascoaga MJ, Reniers A. Analysis of water quality and circulation of four recreational Miami beaches through the use of Lagrangian Coherent Structures. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2014; 83:181-189. [PMID: 24768263 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.03.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2013] [Revised: 03/13/2014] [Accepted: 03/29/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Four popular, recreational beaches in Miami, FL are Hobie Beach, Virginia Key Beach, Crandon Park Beach, and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. While all of the beaches are within a few miles of each other in Biscayne Bay, they have greatly differing water qualities, as determined by the testing for fecal indicator bacteria performed by the Florida Department of Health. Using the geodesic theory of transport barriers, we identify Lagrangian Coherent Structures (LCSs) in each area. We show how these material curves, which shape circulation and mixing patterns, can be used to explain the incongruous states of the water at beaches that should be comparable. The LCSs are computed using a hydrodynamic model and verified through field experimentation at each beach.
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Affiliation(s)
- L A Fiorentino
- University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149, United States.
| | - M J Olascoaga
- University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149, United States
| | - A Reniers
- University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149, United States
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30
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Sabino R, Rodrigues R, Costa I, Carneiro C, Cunha M, Duarte A, Faria N, Ferreira FC, Gargaté MJ, Júlio C, Martins ML, Nevers MB, Oleastro M, Solo-Gabriele H, Veríssimo C, Viegas C, Whitman RL, Brandão J. Routine screening of harmful microorganisms in beach sands: implications to public health. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 472:1062-1069. [PMID: 24355396 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.11.091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2013] [Revised: 10/29/2013] [Accepted: 11/18/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Beaches worldwide provide recreational opportunities to hundreds of millions of people and serve as important components of coastal economies. Beach water is often monitored for microbiological quality to detect the presence of indicators of human sewage contamination so as to prevent public health outbreaks associated with water contact. However, growing evidence suggests that beach sand can harbor microbes harmful to human health, often in concentrations greater than the beach water. Currently, there are no standards for monitoring, sampling, analyzing, or managing beach sand quality. In addition to indicator microbes, growing evidence has identified pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and fungi in a variety of beach sands worldwide. The public health threat associated with these populations through direct and indirect contact is unknown because so little research has been conducted relating to health outcomes associated with sand quality. In this manuscript, we present the consensus findings of a workshop of experts convened in Lisbon, Portugal to discuss the current state of knowledge on beach sand microbiological quality and to develop suggestions for standardizing the evaluation of sand at coastal beaches. The expert group at the "Microareias 2012" workshop recommends that 1) beach sand should be screened for a variety of pathogens harmful to human health, and sand monitoring should then be initiated alongside regular water monitoring; 2) sampling and analysis protocols should be standardized to allow proper comparisons among beach locations; and 3) further studies are needed to estimate human health risk with exposure to contaminated beach sand. Much of the manuscript is focused on research specific to Portugal, but similar results have been found elsewhere, and the findings have worldwide implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Sabino
- Reference Unit for Systemic Infections and Zoonosis, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Portugal
| | - R Rodrigues
- Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Portugal
| | - I Costa
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - C Carneiro
- REQUIMTE/Centro de Química Fina e Biotecnologia, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - M Cunha
- Portuguese Environment Agency, Environment Reference Laboratory, Portugal
| | - A Duarte
- Faculty of Pharmacy, iMed.UL-Research Institute for Medicines and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Lisboa, Portugal
| | - N Faria
- Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Portugal
| | - F C Ferreira
- Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Portugal
| | - M J Gargaté
- Reference Unit for Systemic Infections and Zoonosis, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Portugal
| | - C Júlio
- Reference Unit for Gastro-intestinal Infections, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Portugal
| | - M L Martins
- Unit of Medical Microbiology, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical-Centro de Recursos Microbiológicos (CREM), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Portugal
| | - M B Nevers
- United States Geological Survey, Great Lakes Science Center, Porter, IN, USA
| | - M Oleastro
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - H Solo-Gabriele
- Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - C Veríssimo
- Reference Unit for Systemic Infections and Zoonosis, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Portugal
| | - C Viegas
- Lisbon School of Health Technology, Polytechnic Institute of Lisboa, Portugal
| | - R L Whitman
- United States Geological Survey, Great Lakes Science Center, Porter, IN, USA
| | - J Brandão
- Reference Unit for Systemic Infections and Zoonosis, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Portugal.
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31
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Phillips MC, Feng Z, Vogel LJ, Reniers AJHM, Haus BK, Enns AA, Zhang Y, Hernandez DB, Solo-Gabriele HM. Microbial release from seeded beach sediments during wave conditions. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2014; 79:114-22. [PMID: 24393380 PMCID: PMC3944643 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.12.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2013] [Revised: 12/06/2013] [Accepted: 12/12/2013] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Beach sands can sustain indigenous and introduced populations of enterococci. The objective of this study was to evaluate wave action in promoting the release of introduced bacteria. To accomplish this objective this study developed a method to assess attachment and identified conditions under which introduced bacteria are integrated into the sand. A new "shearing assay" showed that attachment of the introduced spike mimicked that of the natural sand when the spike was allowed to integrate into the sand for 24h at room temperature at a sand moisture content of 20%. Experiments in a wave flume showed that waves were capable of releasing about 60% of the total bacteria added. This suggests that for the range of wave conditions evaluated (height: 1.9-10.5 cm, period:1-2.7s), waves were incapable of releasing all of the bacteria. Further study is needed to evaluate bacteria attachment mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C Phillips
- University of Miami, NSF NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, Miami, FL 33149, United States; University of Miami, Department of Civil, Arch., and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States
| | - Zhixuan Feng
- University of Miami, NSF NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, Miami, FL 33149, United States; University of Miami, Division of Applied Marine Physics, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, Miami, FL 33149, United States
| | - Laura J Vogel
- University of Miami, NSF NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, Miami, FL 33149, United States; University of Miami, Department of Civil, Arch., and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States
| | - Ad J H M Reniers
- University of Miami, NSF NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, Miami, FL 33149, United States; University of Miami, Division of Applied Marine Physics, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, Miami, FL 33149, United States
| | - Brian K Haus
- University of Miami, NSF NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, Miami, FL 33149, United States; University of Miami, Division of Applied Marine Physics, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, Miami, FL 33149, United States
| | - Amber A Enns
- University of Miami, NSF NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, Miami, FL 33149, United States; University of Miami, Department of Civil, Arch., and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States
| | - Yifan Zhang
- University of Miami, NSF NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, Miami, FL 33149, United States; University of Miami, Department of Civil, Arch., and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States
| | - David B Hernandez
- University of Miami, NSF NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, Miami, FL 33149, United States; University of Miami, Department of Civil, Arch., and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States
| | - Helena M Solo-Gabriele
- University of Miami, NSF NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, Miami, FL 33149, United States; University of Miami, Department of Civil, Arch., and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States.
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Hernandez RJ, Hernandez Y, Jimenez NH, Piggot AM, Klaus JS, Feng Z, Reniers A, Solo-Gabriele HM. Effects of full-scale beach renovation on fecal indicator levels in shoreline sand and water. WATER RESEARCH 2014; 48:579-91. [PMID: 24183401 PMCID: PMC3915934 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2013.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2013] [Revised: 10/04/2013] [Accepted: 10/05/2013] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Recolonization of enterococci, at a non-point source beach known to contain high background levels of bacteria, was studied after a full-scale beach renovation project. The renovation involved importation of new exogenous sand, in addition to infrastructure improvements. The study's objectives were to document changes in sand and water quality and to evaluate the relative contribution of different renovation activities towards these changes. These objectives were addressed: by measuring enterococci levels in the sand and fecal indicator bacteria levels (enterococci and fecal coliform) in the water, by documenting sediment characteristics (mineralogy and biofilm levels), and by estimating changes in observable enterococci loads. Analysis of enterococci levels on surface sand and within sediment depth cores were significantly higher prior to beach renovation (6.3-72 CFU/g for each sampling day) when compared to levels during and after beach renovation (0.8-12 CFU/g) (P < 0.01). During the renovation process, sand enterococci levels were frequently below detection limits (<0.1 CFU/g). For water, exceedances in the regulatory thresholds that would trigger a beach advisory decreased by 40% for enterococci and by 90% for fecal coliform. Factors that did not change significantly between pre- and post- renovation included the enterococci loads from animals (approx. 3 × 10(11) CFU per month). Factors that were observed to change between pre- and post- renovation activities included: the composition of the beach sand (64% versus 98% quartz, and a significant decrease in biofilm levels) and loads from direct stormwater inputs (reduction of 3 × 10(11) CFU per month). Overall, this study supports that beach renovation activities contributed to improved sand and water quality resulting in a 50% decrease of observable enterococci loads due to upgrades to the stormwater infrastructure. Of interest was that the change in the sand mineralogy also coincided with changes in biofilm levels. More work is needed to evaluate the relationships between beach sand mineralogy, biofilm characteristics, and the retention of fecal indicator bacteria in sand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael J. Hernandez
- Center for Oceans and Human Health, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami FL
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
| | - Yasiel Hernandez
- Center for Oceans and Human Health, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami FL
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
| | - Nasly H. Jimenez
- Center for Oceans and Human Health, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami FL
| | - Alan M. Piggot
- Center for Oceans and Human Health, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami FL
- Division of Marine Geology and Geophysics, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, FL
| | - James S. Klaus
- Center for Oceans and Human Health, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami FL
- Division of Marine Geology and Geophysics, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, FL
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
| | - Zhixuan Feng
- Center for Oceans and Human Health, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami FL
- Division of Applied Marine Physics, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL
| | - Ad Reniers
- Center for Oceans and Human Health, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami FL
- Division of Applied Marine Physics, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL
| | - Helena M. Solo-Gabriele
- Center for Oceans and Human Health, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami FL
- Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
- Corresponding Author: Helena Solo-Gabriele, Ph.D., University of Miami, Department of Civil, Arch. And Environmental Engineering, P.O. Box 248294, Coral Gables, FL 33124-0630 Phone: 305-284-2908, Fax: 305-284-2885,
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Di Cesare A, Luna GM, Vignaroli C, Pasquaroli S, Tota S, Paroncini P, Biavasco F. Aquaculture can promote the presence and spread of antibiotic-resistant Enterococci in marine sediments. PLoS One 2013; 8:e62838. [PMID: 23638152 PMCID: PMC3637307 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0062838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2012] [Accepted: 03/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquaculture is an expanding activity worldwide. However its rapid growth can affect the aquatic environment through release of large amounts of chemicals, including antibiotics. Moreover, the presence of organic matter and bacteria of different origin can favor gene transfer and recombination. Whereas the consequences of such activities on environmental microbiota are well explored, little is known of their effects on allochthonous and potentially pathogenic bacteria, such as enterococci. Sediments from three sampling stations (two inside and one outside) collected in a fish farm in the Adriatic Sea were examined for enterococcal abundance and antibiotic resistance traits using the membrane filter technique and an improved quantitative PCR. Strains were tested for susceptibility to tetracycline, erythromycin, ampicillin and gentamicin; samples were directly screened for selected tetracycline [tet(M), tet(L), tet(O)] and macrolide [erm(A), erm(B) and mef] resistance genes by newly-developed multiplex PCRs. The abundance of benthic enterococci was higher inside than outside the farm. All isolates were susceptible to the four antimicrobials tested, although direct PCR evidenced tet(M) and tet(L) in sediment samples from all stations. Direct multiplex PCR of sediment samples cultured in rich broth supplemented with antibiotic (tetracycline, erythromycin, ampicillin or gentamicin) highlighted changes in resistance gene profiles, with amplification of previously undetected tet(O), erm(B) and mef genes and an increase in benthic enterococcal abundance after incubation in the presence of ampicillin and gentamicin. Despite being limited to a single farm, these data indicate that aquaculture may influence the abundance and spread of benthic enterococci and that farm sediments can be reservoirs of dormant antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including enterococci, which can rapidly revive in presence of new inputs of organic matter. This reservoir may constitute an underestimated health risk and deserves further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Di Cesare
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy.
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An alternative approach to water regulations for public health protection at bathing beaches. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2013; 2013:138521. [PMID: 23431320 PMCID: PMC3569914 DOI: 10.1155/2013/138521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2012] [Revised: 12/02/2012] [Accepted: 12/18/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
New approaches should be considered as the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) moves rapidly to develop new beach monitoring guidelines by the end of 2012, as these guidelines serve as the basis by which states and territories with coasts along the oceans and Great Lakes can then develop and implement monitoring programs for recreational waters. We describe and illustrate one possible approach to beach regulation termed as the “Comprehensive Toolbox within an Approval Process (CTBAP).” The CTBAP consists of three components. The first is a “toolbox” consisting of an inventory of guidelines on monitoring targets, a series of measurement techniques, and guidance to improve water quality through source identification and prevention methods. The second two components are principles of implementation. These include first, “flexibility” to encourage and develop an individualized beach management plan tailored to local conditions and second, “consistency” of this management plan to ensure a consistent national level of public health protection. The results of this approach are illustrated through a case study at a well-studied South Florida recreational marine beach. This case study explores different monitoring targets based on two different health endpoints (skin versus gastrointestinal illness) and recommends a beach regulation program for the study beach that focuses predominately on source prevention.
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Curiel-Ayala F, Quiñones-Ramírez EI, Pless RC, González-Jasso E. Comparative studies on Enterococcus, Clostridium perfringens and Staphylococcus aureus as quality indicators in tropical seawater at a Pacific Mexican beach resort. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2012; 64:2193-2198. [PMID: 22910334 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2012.07.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2012] [Revised: 07/27/2012] [Accepted: 07/27/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Three microorganisms were assayed to evaluate the microbiological quality in the seawater at a resort on the Mexican Pacific coast, and to test for possible associations among the titers of the various bacteria, their possible correlations with environmental conditions, and with the location of potential wastewater outflows. Significant microorganism levels were found (at Caletilla beach, Hornos beach, and Papagayo beach, respectively: for Enterococcus 157, 153, and 149, for C. perfringens 35, 89, and 56, for S. aureus 244,137, and 279CFU/100ml), often in excess of the presently set guideline values. In general, bacterial titers were higher during rainy season than in dry season. For S. aureus, in both seasons, highest concentrations were found at 3pm, the time of highest tourist presence at the beaches. Our results argue for the use of these three microorganisms as part of a set of indicators in the routine microbiological evaluation of Mexican beachwaters.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Curiel-Ayala
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencia Aplicada y Tecnología Avanzada, Unidad Querétaro, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, CICATA-Querétaro, Querétaro, Mexico
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Enns AA, Vogel LJ, Abdelzaher AM, Gabriele HMS, Plano LR, Gidley ML, Phillips MC, Klaus JS, Piggot AM, Feng Z, Reniers AJ, Haus BK, Elmir SM, Zhang Y, Jimenez NH, Mottaleb NA, Schoor ME, Brown A, Khan SQ, Dameron AS, Salazar NC, Fleming LE. Spatial and temporal variation in indicator microbe sampling is influential in beach management decisions. WATER RESEARCH 2012; 46:2237-46. [PMID: 22365370 PMCID: PMC3304019 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2012.01.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2011] [Revised: 12/26/2011] [Accepted: 01/28/2012] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Fecal indicator microbes, such as enterococci, are often used to assess potential health risks caused by pathogens at recreational beaches. Microbe levels often vary based on collection time and sampling location. The primary goal of this study was to assess how spatial and temporal variations in sample collection, which are driven by environmental parameters, impact enterococci measurements and beach management decisions. A secondary goal was to assess whether enterococci levels can be predictive of the presence of Staphylococcus aureus, a skin pathogen. Over a ten-day period, hydrometeorologic data, hydrodynamic data, bather densities, enterococci levels, and S. aureus levels including methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) were measured in both water and sand. Samples were collected hourly for both water and sediment at knee-depth, and every 6 h for water at waist-depth, supratidal sand, intertidal sand, and waterline sand. Results showed that solar radiation, tides, and rainfall events were major environmental factors that impacted enterococci levels. S. aureus levels were associated with bathing load, but did not correlate with enterococci levels or any other measured parameters. The results imply that frequencies of advisories depend heavily upon sample collection policies due to spatial and temporal variation of enterococci levels in response to environmental parameters. Thus, sampling at different times of the day and at different depths can significantly impact beach management decisions. Additionally, the lack of correlation between S. aureus and enterococci suggests that use of fecal indicators may not accurately assess risk for some pathogens.
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Shibata T, Solo-Gabriele HM. Quantitative microbial risk assessment of human illness from exposure to marine beach sand. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2012; 46:2799-805. [PMID: 22296573 PMCID: PMC9785598 DOI: 10.1021/es203638x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Currently no U.S. federal guideline is available for assessing risk of illness from sand at recreational sites. The objectives of this study were to compute a reference level guideline for pathogens in beach sand and to compare these reference levels with measurements from a beach impacted by nonpoint sources of contamination. Reference levels were computed using quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) coupled with Monte Carlo simulations. In order to reach an equivalent level of risk of illness as set by the U.S. EPA for marine water exposure (1.9 × 10(-2)), levels would need to be at least about 10 oocysts/g (about 1 oocyst/g for a pica child) for Cryptosporidium, about 5 MPN/g (about 1 MPN/g for pica) for enterovirus, and less than 10(6) CFU/g for S. aureus. Pathogen levels measured in sand at a nonpoint source recreational beach were lower than the reference levels. More research is needed in evaluating risk from yeast and helminth exposures as well as in identifying acceptable levels of risk for skin infections associated with sand exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoyuki Shibata
- Institute for the Study of the Environment, Sustainability, & Energy and School of Nursing & Health Studies, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois, United States.
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Phillips MC, Solo-Gabriele HM, Piggot AM, Klaus JS, Zhang Y. Relationships between sand and water quality at recreational beaches. WATER RESEARCH 2011; 45:6763-9. [PMID: 22071324 PMCID: PMC3228632 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2011.10.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2011] [Revised: 10/12/2011] [Accepted: 10/17/2011] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Enterococci are used to assess the risk of negative human health impacts from recreational waters. Studies have shown sustained populations of enterococci within sediments of beaches but comprehensive surveys of multiple tidal zones on beaches in a regional area and their relationship to beach management decisions are limited. We sampled three tidal zones on eight South Florida beaches in Miami-Dade and Broward counties and found that enterococci were ubiquitous within South Florida beach sands although their levels varied greatly both among the beaches and between the supratidal, intertidal and subtidal zones. The supratidal sands consistently had significantly higher (p < 0.003) levels of enterococci (average 40 CFU/g dry sand) than the other two zones. Levels of enterococci within the subtidal sand correlated with the average level of enterococci in the water (CFU/100mL) for the season during which samples were collected (r(s) = 0.73). The average sand enterococci content over all the zones on each beach correlated with the average water enterococci levels of the year prior to sand samplings (r(s) = 0.64) as well as the average water enterococci levels for the month after sand samplings (r(s) = 0.54). Results indicate a connection between levels of enterococci in beach water and sands throughout South Florida's beaches and suggest that the sands are one of the predominant reservoirs of enterococci impacting beach water quality. As a result, beaches with lower levels of enterococci in the sand had fewer exceedences relative to beaches with higher levels of sand enterococci. More research should focus on evaluating beach sand quality as a means to predict and regulate marine recreational water quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C Phillips
- University of Miami, NSF NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, Miami, FL 33149, USA
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Phillips MC, Solo-Gabriele HM, Reniers AJHM, Wang JD, Kiger RT, Abdel-Mottaleb N. Pore water transport of enterococci out of beach sediments. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2011; 62:2293-8. [PMID: 21945015 PMCID: PMC3202074 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2011.08.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2011] [Revised: 08/27/2011] [Accepted: 08/31/2011] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Enterococci are used to evaluate the safety of beach waters and studies have identified beach sands as a source of these bacteria. In order to study and quantify the release of microbes from beach sediments, flow column systems were built to evaluate flow of pore water out of beach sediments. Results show a peak in enterococci (average of 10% of the total microbes in core) released from the sand core within one pore water volume followed by a marked decline to below detection. These results indicate that few enterococci are easily removed and that factors other than simple pore water flow control the release of the majority of enterococci within beach sediments. A significantly larger quantity and release of enterococci were observed in cores collected after a significant rain event suggesting the influx of fresh water can alter the release pattern as compared to cores with no antecedent rainfall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C Phillips
- University of Miami, NSF NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, Miami, FL 33149, USA
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Stewart JR, Fleming LE, Fleisher JM, Abdelzaher AM, Maille Lyons M. Waterborne Pathogens. MARINE POLLUTION AND HUMAN HEALTH 2011. [DOI: 10.1039/9781849732871-00025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
A variety of microorganisms occur in the marine environment which are capable of infecting humans. This chapter, focused on waterborne pathogens, summarizes the types of pathogens that are a threat to human health, as well as the fecal indicator bacteria that are commonly used as surrogates for pathogens in regulatory and research applications. Limitations and alternatives to traditional fecal indicator bacteria are explored, highlighting challenges and policy implications for protecting public health. Methodological advances and challenges are also reviewed, with an emphasis on research designed to fill gaps and provide scientific support for management of marine resources, particularly bathing beaches. Accordingly, recent and previous epidemiology studies linking microbial measures of water quality to health outcomes are discussed in detail. As an alternative to the measurement of individual water samples, modeling of pathogens in marine waters is introduced. Overall, this chapter provides an overview of the pathogens, microbial measures and policy implications important for protecting humans from exposure to pathogens in marine waters.
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Shah AH, Abdelzaher AM, Phillips M, Hernandez R, Solo-Gabriele HM, Kish J, Scorzetti G, Fell JW, Diaz MR, Scott TM, Lukasik J, Harwood VJ, McQuaig S, Sinigalliano CD, Gidley ML, Wanless D, Ager A, Lui J, Stewart JR, Plano LRW, Fleming LE. Indicator microbes correlate with pathogenic bacteria, yeasts and helminthes in sand at a subtropical recreational beach site. J Appl Microbiol 2011; 110:1571-83. [PMID: 21447014 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2011.05013.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Research into the relationship between pathogens, faecal indicator microbes and environmental factors in beach sand has been limited, yet vital to the understanding of the microbial relationship between sand and the water column and to the improvement of criteria for better human health protection at beaches. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the presence and distribution of pathogens in various zones of beach sand (subtidal, intertidal and supratidal) and to assess their relationship with environmental parameters and indicator microbes at a non-point source subtropical marine beach. METHODS AND RESULTS In this exploratory study in subtropical Miami (Florida, USA), beach sand samples were collected and analysed over the course of 6 days for several pathogens, microbial source tracking markers and indicator microbes. An inverse correlation between moisture content and most indicator microbes was found. Significant associations were identified between some indicator microbes and pathogens (such as nematode larvae and yeasts in the genus Candida), which are from classes of microbes that are rarely evaluated in the context of recreational beach use. CONCLUSIONS Results indicate that indicator microbes may predict the presence of some of the pathogens, in particular helminthes, yeasts and the bacterial pathogen Staphylococcus aureus including methicillin-resistant forms. Indicator microbes may thus be useful for monitoring beach sand and water quality at non-point source beaches. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY The presence of both indicator microbes and pathogens in beach sand provides one possible explanation for human health effects reported at non-point sources beaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- A H Shah
- University of Miami, NSF NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, Miami, FL 33124-0630, USA
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Zhu X, Wang JD, Solo-Gabriele HM, Fleming LE. A water quality modeling study of non-point sources at recreational marine beaches. WATER RESEARCH 2011; 45:2985-95. [PMID: 21477839 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2011.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2009] [Revised: 03/09/2011] [Accepted: 03/10/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
A model study was conducted to understand the influence of non-point sources including bather shedding, animal fecal sources, and near shore sand, as well as the impact of the environmental conditions, on the fate and transport of the indicator microbe, enterococci, at a subtropical recreational marine beach in South Florida. The model was based on an existing finite element hydrodynamic and transport model, with the addition of a first order microbe deactivation function due to solar radiation. Results showed that dog fecal events had a major transient impact (hundreds of Colony Forming Units/100 ml [CFU/100 ml]) on the enterococci concentration in a limited area within several hours, and could partially explain the high concentrations observed at the study beach. Enterococci released from beach sand during high tide caused mildly elevated concentration for a short period of time (ten to twenty of CFU/100 ml initially, reduced to 2 CFU/100 ml within 4 h during sunny weather) similar to the average baseline numbers observed at the beach. Bather shedding resulted in minimal impacts (less than 1 CFU/100 ml), even during crowded holiday weekends. In addition, weak current velocity near the beach shoreline was found to cause longer dwelling times for the elevated concentrations of enterococci, while solar deactivation was found to be a strong factor in reducing these microbial concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofang Zhu
- Division of Applied Marine Physics, University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, Miami, FL 33149, USA.
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