title: Daily measures of microbes and human health at a non-point source marine beach.
abstract: Studies evaluating the relationship between microbes and human health at non-point source beaches are necessary for establishing criteria which would protect public health while minimizing economic burdens. The objective of this study was to evaluate water quality and daily cumulative health effects (gastrointestinal, skin, and respiratory illnesses) for bathers at a non-point source subtropical marine recreational beach in order to better understand the inter-relationships between these factors and hence improve monitoring and pollution prevention techniques. Daily composite samples were collected, during the Oceans and Human Health Beach Exposure Assessment and Characterization Health Epidemiologic Study conducted in Miami (Florida, USA) at a non-point source beach, and analyzed for several pathogens, microbial source tracking markers, indicator microbes, and environmental parameters. Analysis demonstrated that rainfall and tide were more influential, when compared to other environmental factors and source tracking markers, in determining the presence of both indicator microbes and pathogens. Antecedent rainfall and F+ coliphage detection in water should be further assessed to confirm their possible association with skin and gastrointestinal (GI) illness outcomes, respectively. The results of this research illustrate the potential complexity of beach systems characterized by non-point sources, and how more novel and comprehensive approaches are needed to assess beach water quality for the purpose of protecting bather health.
authors: NSF, NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway Miami, FL 33149, USA.
authors: Amir M
authors: AM
authors: Abdelzaher
authors: Mary E
authors: ME
authors: Wright
authors: Cristina
authors: C
authors: Ortega
authors: A Rasem
authors: AR
authors: Hasan
authors: Tomoyoki
authors: T
authors: Shibata
authors: Helena M
authors: HM
authors: Solo-Gabriele
authors: Jonathan
authors: J
authors: Kish
authors: Kelly
authors: K
authors: Withum
authors: Guoqing
authors: G
authors: He
authors: Samir M
authors: SM
authors: Elmir
authors: J Alfredo
authors: JA
authors: Bonilla
authors: Tonya D
authors: TD
authors: Bonilla
authors: Carol J
authors: CJ
authors: Palmer
authors: Troy M
authors: TM
authors: Scott
authors: Jerzy
authors: J
authors: Lukasik
authors: Valerie J
authors: VJ
authors: Harwood
authors: Shannon
authors: S
authors: McQuaig
authors: Christopher D
authors: CD
authors: Sinigalliano
authors: Maribeth L
authors: ML
authors: Gidley
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Wanless
authors: Lisa R W
authors: LR
authors: Plano
authors: Anna C
authors: AC
authors: Garza
authors: Xiaofang
authors: X
authors: Zhu
authors: Jill R
authors: JR
authors: Stewart
authors: Jerold W
authors: JW
authors: Dickerson
authors: Helen
authors: H
authors: Yampara-Iquise
authors: Charles
authors: C
authors: Carson
authors: Jay M
authors: JM
authors: Fleisher
authors: Lora E
authors: LE
authors: Fleming
mesh_terms: D001493:Bathing Beaches; D003090:Coliphages / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016983:Enterococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004770:Enterovirus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D011891:Rain; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000635:transmission; D012623:Seawater / Q000382:microbiology*; D014871:Water Microbiology