Generation of Enterococci Bacteria in a Coastal Saltwater Marsh and Its Impact on Surf Zone Water Quality

• Published in: Environmental science & technology Vol. 35; no. 12; pp. 2407 - 2416
• Main Authors: Grant, S. B, Sanders, B. F, Boehm, A. B, Redman, J. A, Kim, J. H, Mrše, R. D, Chu, A. K, Gouldin, M, McGee, C. D, Gardiner, N. A, Jones, B. H, Svejkovsky, J, Leipzig, G. V, Brown, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 15.06.2001
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Bacteria; Beaches; Conservation of Natural Resources; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Ecosystem; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Enterococcus; Environmental Monitoring; Exact sciences and technology; Feces; Humans; Natural water pollution; Pollution; Pollution, environment geology; Population Dynamics; Public health; Seawaters, estuaries; USA, California; Water Microbiology; Water Pollution - analysis; Water resources; Water treatment and pollution; Wetlands; Pacific Ocean; California; United States; North America; East Pacific; America; INE, USA, California, Huntington Beach; INE, USA, California, South; Enterococcus; Natural origin pollution; Microbiology; Urban area; Runoff water; Beaches; Biological monitoring; Coastal zone; Streptococcaceae; Biogenic factor; Salt marsh; Pathogenic; Water quality; Pollution source inventory; Bacteria; Micrococcales; Water pollution; Feces; Biological contamination; Seawater; Anthropogenic factor
• ISSN: 0013-936X; 1520-5851
• DOI: 10.1021/es0018163

Elevated levels of enterococci bacteria, an indicator of fecal pollution, are routinely detected in the surf zone at Huntington State and City Beaches in southern California. A multidisciplinary study was carried out to identify sources of enterococci bacteria landward of the coastline. We find that enterococci bacteria are present at high concentrations in urban runoff, bird feces, marsh sediments, and on marine vegetation. Surprisingly, urban runoff appears to have relatively little impact on surf zone water quality because of the long time required for this water to travel from its source to the ocean. On the other hand, enterococci bacteria generated in a tidal saltwater marsh located near the beach significantly impact surf zone water quality. This study identifies a potential tradeoff between restoring coastal wetlands and protecting beach water quality and calls into question the use of ocean bathing water standards based on enterococci at locations near coastal wetlands.