Modeling the dispersion of viable and total Escherichia coli cells in the artificial semi-enclosed bathing area of Santa Marinella (Latium, Italy).
Coastal areas are strongly affected by episodes of fecal contamination due to polluted water inflows from inadequately treated sewages. The present study aims to investigate the dispersion of Escherichia coli in the artificial semi-enclosed bathing area of Santa Marinella (Latium, Italy) through in situ samplings carried out in summer 2012 and the application of a dynamic model. Collected samples were analyzed by the Culture-Based technique and the Fluorescent Antibody method in order to estimate both the viable culturable cells and the total E. coli population, respectively. The in situ datasets were used to test the proposed modeling approach and simulate the behavior of bacteria as particles subjected, or not, to decay. Next, the flushing time and the computation of the Microbiological Potential Risk Area allowed the evaluation of the contribution of physical and biological processes to coliform dispersion and the related potential risk for bathers.
Laboratory of Experimental Oceanology and Marine Ecology, DEB, University of Tuscia, 00053 Civitavecchia, Italy. Electronic address: simo_bonamano@unitus.it.
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Bonamano
Laboratory of Experimental Oceanology and Marine Ecology, DEB, University of Tuscia, 00053 Civitavecchia, Italy.
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Madonia
Laboratory of Experimental Oceanology and Marine Ecology, DEB, University of Tuscia, 00053 Civitavecchia, Italy.
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Borsellino
Laboratory of Experimental Oceanology and Marine Ecology, DEB, University of Tuscia, 00053 Civitavecchia, Italy.
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Stefanì
Institute for Coastal Marine Environment (IAMC), National Research Council (CNR), 98122 Messina, Italy.
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Caruso
Institute for Coastal Marine Environment (IAMC), National Research Council (CNR), 98122 Messina, Italy.
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De Pasquale
Laboratory of Experimental Oceanology and Marine Ecology, DEB, University of Tuscia, 00053 Civitavecchia, Italy.
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Piermattei
Institute for Coastal Marine Environment (IAMC), National Research Council (CNR), 98122 Messina, Italy.
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Zappalà
Laboratory of Experimental Oceanology and Marine Ecology, DEB, University of Tuscia, 00053 Civitavecchia, Italy.
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Marcelli
D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D007558:Italy; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011998:Recreation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000032:analysis
Bathing waters; Coastal monitoring; Escherichia coli; Flushing time; Mathematical models