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.
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.
Authors: Matthew C Phillips; Helena M Solo-Gabriele; Alan M Piggot; James S Klaus; Yifan Zhang Journal: Water Res Date: 2011-10-25 Impact factor: 11.236
Authors: Alan M Piggot; James S Klaus; Sara Johnson; Matthew C Phillips; Helena M Solo-Gabriele Journal: Appl Environ Microbiol Date: 2012-06-15 Impact factor: 4.792
Authors: Zhixuan Feng; Ad Reniers; Brian K Haus; Helena M Solo-Gabriele; John D Wang; Lora E Fleming Journal: Mar Pollut Bull Date: 2015-04-01 Impact factor: 5.553
Authors: Richard Whitman; Valerie J Harwood; Thomas A Edge; Meredith Nevers; Muruleedhara Byappanahalli; Kannappan Vijayavel; João Brandão; Michael J Sadowsky; Elizabeth Wheeler Alm; Allan Crowe; Donna Ferguson; Zhongfu Ge; Elizabeth Halliday; Julie Kinzelman; Greg Kleinheinz; Kasia Przybyla-Kelly; Christopher Staley; Zachery Staley; Helena M Solo-Gabriele Journal: Rev Environ Sci Biotechnol Date: 2014-09-01 Impact factor: 8.044
Authors: Amber A Enns; Laura J Vogel; Amir M Abdelzaher; Helena M Solo-Gabriele; Lisa R W Plano; Maribeth L Gidley; Matthew C Phillips; James S Klaus; Alan M Piggot; Zhixuan Feng; Ad J H M Reniers; Brian K Haus; Samir M Elmir; Yifan Zhang; Nasly H Jimenez; Noha Abdel-Mottaleb; Michael E Schoor; Alexis Brown; Sumbul Q Khan; Adrienne S Dameron; Norma C Salazar; Lora E Fleming Journal: Water Res Date: 2012-02-04 Impact factor: 11.236
Authors: Matthew C Phillips; Helena M Solo-Gabriele; A J H M Reniers; John D Wang; Russell T Kiger; Noha Abdel-Mottaleb Journal: Mar Pollut Bull Date: 2011-09-25 Impact factor: 5.553
Authors: Kevan M Yamahara; Lauren M Sassoubre; Kelly D Goodwin; Alexandria B Boehm Journal: Appl Environ Microbiol Date: 2012-01-13 Impact factor: 4.792