Grantee Research Project Results

Prevalence and Survival of Microorganisms in Shoreline Interstitial Waters: A Search for Indicators of Health Risks

EPA Grant Number: R828830
Title: Prevalence and Survival of Microorganisms in Shoreline Interstitial Waters: A Search for Indicators of Health Risks
Investigators: Rogerson, Andrew , McCorquodale, Don , Estiobu, Nwadiuto
Institution: Nova Southeastern University , Florida Atlantic University - Boca Raton
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: August 1, 2001 through July 31, 2003
Project Amount: $312,570
RFA: Recreational Water Quality: Indicators and Interstitial Zones (2000) RFA Text |  Recipients Lists
Research Category: Aquatic Ecosystems , Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration , Water

Description:

There are clues in the literature which, taken together, suggest that the microbiological quality of beach sand may constitute a health risk to bathers, particularly children who spend time in the 'swash zone'. Sand can act as a filter to trap and concentrate bacteria, spores, and cysts. It has a large surface area for microbial attachment, ample oxygen levels, higher temperatures and a constant re-supply of nutrients through wave action and tides. We postulate that potentially pathogenic organisms accumulate in interstitial space where they exploit localized favorable conditions. These organisms are periodically swept from surfaces and are transported to the surf zone where they pose a health risk aggravated by the abrasive nature of sand, the ingestion of contaminated waters, and the inhalation of aerosols rich in microbes. Thus, individuals exposed to the surf zone of populated beaches may show a higher incidence of illnesses from either enteric or non-enteric pathogens.

Approach:

The study will be completed in four parts. (1) Documentation of the number of ?classic' fecal indicators in sand (E. coli, enterococci, and fecal coliforms), paying attention to whether they are free in interstitial space or attached (and possibly metabolically active) to sand particles. We shall also consider the possibility that some of these organisms are lofted into the air. (2) Enumeration of other non-indigenous microorganisms in sand including non-enterics, coliphage and several eukaryotic microbes. (3) Monitoring of a laboratory-based microcosm to study the survival (and growth) of indicator organisms in sand relative to overlying open water. (4) Correlation of microbial abundance data to incidences of beach-related indicators via a detailed questionnaire.

Expected Results:

The results will show whether there is an identifiable health risk to bathers who come in contact with wet beach sand. Our results will indicate whether beach management action is appropriate or whether the health risk of wet sand is negligible.

Publications and Presentations:

Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 21 publications for this project

Journal Articles:

Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 2 journal articles for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

protozoan pathogens, beach contamination, water quality, aerobiology, microbiology, public good, RFA, Health, Scientific Discipline, Water, Susceptibility/Sensitive Population/Genetic Susceptibility, Health Risk Assessment, Recreational Water, Biology, genetic susceptability, Environmental Microbiology, Ecology and Ecosystems, Environmental Monitoring, E. coli, fecal coliform, recreational water monitoring, environmental hazard exposures, sensitive populations, enterococci, indicator organisms, water quality, water quality criteria, beach contamination, pathogens, microorganisms, recreational beaches, shoreline interstitial water, children, exposure, microbes, sand particles, human health risk

Progress and Final Reports:

2002 Progress Report

Final Report