title: Sediment characteristics and microbiological contamination of beach sand - A case-study in the archipelago of Madeira.
abstract: Beach sand can harbour pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms, as well as faecal indicator bacteria that influence directly the bathing water quality. Pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms often raise concern of exposure during beach related recreational activities. In this work, three different types of sandy beaches (natural basaltic, natural calcareous and artificial calcareous) of the Archipelago of Madeira (Portugal) were sampled for bacterial and fungal contaminants and grain size distribution, during four years (2010-2013). Following an extreme weather event in 2010, the faecal indicator bacteria levels spiked, returning to base levels shortly thereafter. The same phenomenon occurred with fungi, where potentially pathogenic fungi were the dominant group. Yeast-like fungi and dermatophytes were, however, mainly associated to months of higher usage by recreational users. Statistical analysis showed higher contamination of sediment in artificial beaches compared to natural beaches and granulometry and chemical composition of sand did not influence in the microbial loads. Instead, bather density and the influence of coastal protection structures needed to maintain the volume of artificial beach sand regarding the removal potential of wave induced currents are obvious influencing factors.
authors: Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia da Universidade da Madeira, Campus Universitário da Penteada, 9000-390 Funchal, Madeira, Portugal.
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Abreu
authors: Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia da Universidade da Madeira, Campus Universitário da Penteada, 9000-390 Funchal, Madeira, Portugal. Electronic address: celso.figueira@staff.uma.pt.
authors: Celso
authors: C
authors: Figueira
authors: Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Avenida Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Romão
authors: Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Avenida Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
authors: João
authors: J
authors: Brandão
authors: Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Instituto Dom Luis, Bloco C6, 3° piso, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
authors: M Conceição
authors: MC
authors: Freitas
authors: Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Instituto Dom Luis, Bloco C6, 3° piso, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
authors: César
authors: C
authors: Andrade
authors: Laboratório de Saúde Pública, IASaúde, Rua das Pretas n° 1, 9004-515 Funchal, Portugal.
authors: Graça
authors: G
authors: Calado
authors: Laboratório Regional de Veterinária e Segurança Alimentar, Caminho das Quebradas de Baixo n° 79, 9000-254 Funchal, Portugal.
authors: Carmen
authors: C
authors: Ferreira
authors: Laboratório Regional de Veterinária e Segurança Alimentar, Caminho das Quebradas de Baixo n° 79, 9000-254 Funchal, Portugal.
authors: Ana
authors: A
authors: Campos
authors: Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia da Universidade da Madeira, Campus Universitário da Penteada, 9000-390 Funchal, Madeira, Portugal; Centro de Vulcanologia e Avaliação de Riscos Geológicos, Universidade dos Açores, 9501-801 Ponta Delgada, Açores, Portugal.
authors: Susana
authors: S
authors: Prada
mesh_terms: D001266:Atlantic Islands; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001493:Bathing Beaches; D005658:Fungi / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis* / Q000382:microbiology*; D011174:Portugal; D014871:Water Microbiology; D060753:Water Quality
keywords: Bacteriological contamination; Beach sand quality; Madeira; Mycological contamination; Sand granulometry