Effects of a Changing Earth on Microbial Dynamics and Human Health Risks in the Water/Sand Continuum

Session: 14. - Microbial Dynamics and Human Health Risks in the Beach Sand

Chelsea Weiskerger, Michigan State University, [email protected]
Joao Brandão, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, [email protected]
Clare Robinson, The University of Western Ontario, Civil & Environmental Eng., [email protected]
Chris Staley, University of Minnesota, [email protected]
Greg Kleinheinz, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, [email protected]
Jean Pierre Nshimyimana, Michigan State University , [email protected]
Julie Kinzelman, Racine Health Department, [email protected]
Meredith Nevers, U.S. Geological Survey - Great Lakes Science Center, [email protected]
Michael Sadowsky, University of Minnesota , [email protected]
Mantha Phanikumar, Michigan State University, [email protected]
Richard Whitman, USGS (Retired), [email protected]
Tom Edge, Environment and Climate Change Canada, [email protected]
Alan Piggot, Florida International University, Earth and Environment, [email protected]
Alexandria Boehm, Stanford University, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, [email protected]
Asli Aslan, Georgia Southern University, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, [email protected]
Brian Badgley, Virginia Tech, Crop and Soil Sciences, [email protected]
Christopher Heaney, Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, [email protected]
Erin Symonds, College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, [email protected]
Helena Solo-Gabriele, University of Miami, College of Engineering, Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, [email protected]
Jay Fleisher, College of Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, [email protected]
Jody Harwood, Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, [email protected]
Kevan Yamahara, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, [email protected]
Laura Vogel, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Western University, [email protected]
Maria Luisa Jordao, Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge NIF 501427511, [email protected]
Lindsay Avolio, Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, [email protected]
Paivi Merilainen, Department of Public Health Solutions, National Institute for Health and Welfare, [email protected]
Tarja Pitkanen, Water and Health Unit, Nation Institute for Health and Welfare, [email protected]
Warish Ahmed, CSIRO Land and Water, Water for a Healthy County Flagship, Queensland Biosciences Precinct, [email protected]
Zachery Staley, National Water Research Institute, Water Science & Technology Directorate, Environment Canada, [email protected]
James Klaus, University of Miami, [email protected]

Abstract

Humans may be exposed to microbial pathogens at recreational beaches via environmental sources such as water and sand. Although infectious disease risk from exposure to waterborne pathogens, and the fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) used to monitor water quality are active areas of research, sand is a relatively unexplored reservoir of pathogens and FIB. Sand and water at beaches experience continuous exchange of microorganisms, and these habitats provide unique advantages and challenges to pathogen introduction, growth, and persistence. Models of FIB and pathogen fate and transport in beach habitats can aid prediction of the risk of infectious disease from recreational water use, but filling knowledge gaps is necessary for accurate modeling. Climate change predictions estimate an increase in global temperatures of 2.5 – 10° F, sea level rise, and intensification of storms and precipitation in some regions. Other global change factors like population growth and urbanization may exacerbate predicted impacts. These changes can alter microbial population dynamics in beach habitats, and may consequently affect the assumptions and relationships used in numerical models. We discuss literature on microbial population and transport dynamics in sand/beach habitats, with an emphasis on how climate change and other anthropogenic influences (e.g., land use, urbanization) should be considered when using and developing models. 

1. Keyword
microbiological studies

2. Keyword
modeling

3. Keyword
water quality

4. Additional Keyword
Sand-Water Interface

5. Additional Keyword
Fecal Indicator Bacteria