TY - JOUR
T1 - Significance of beach geomorphology on fecal indicator bacteria levels
AU - Donahue, Allison
AU - Feng, Zhixuan
AU - Kelly, Elizabeth
AU - Reniers, Ad
AU - Solo-Gabriele, Helena M.
PY - 2017/8/15
Y1 - 2017/8/15
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - Beach characteristics
KW - Beach geomorphology
KW - Enterococci
KW - Florida
KW - Percent exceedance
KW - Recreational water quality
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85020190078&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.05.024
DO - 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.05.024
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85020190078
SN - 0025-326X
VL - 121
SP - 160
EP - 167
JO - Marine Pollution Bulletin
JF - Marine Pollution Bulletin
IS - 1-2
ER -