An evaluation of the effectiveness of the Gunderboom in protecting waters from bacteria.
Beaches located in the narrow inlet of Long Island Sound frequently contain high concentrations of bacteria. A Gunderboom BPS (Beach Protection System) filter was installed in Harbor Island Park of Mamaroneck Harbor, New York, in 2002 to reduce bacterial levels in the water. Water and sediment collected inside and outside the Gunderboom and other areas within Mamaroneck Harbor (Shore Acres Beach, Guion Creek, and Mamaroneck River) were tested for E. coli and total coliform bacteria and compared weekly from May through September 2006. The results showed that concentrations of E. coli and total coliform bacteria in water and sediment were significantly lower inside the Gunderboom when compared to the other sites. One-third of the samples were collected within 48 hours of rainfall, and a positive correlation occurred between rainfall and bacterial levels in water. These results indicate the Gunderboom has the potential to reduce bacteria in both beach water and sediment.
Yeung-Cheung
Anna K
AK
Manhattanville College, Purchase, NY 10577, USA. cheunga@mville.edu
Benevento
Nicole M
NM
Pavel
Donatella M
DM
D001493:Bathing Beaches; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004756:Enterobacteriaceae Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004926:Escherichia coli; D005374:Filtration / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D009518:New York; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical; D014871:Water Microbiology