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, weiskerg@msu.edu
Joao Brandão, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, joao.brandao@insa.min-saude.pt
Clare Robinson, The University of Western Ontario, Civil & Environmental Eng., crobinson@eng.uwo.ca
Chris Staley, University of Minnesota, cmstaley@umn.edu
Greg Kleinheinz, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, kleinhei@uwosh.edu
Jean Pierre Nshimyimana, Michigan State University , nshimyim@msu.edu
Julie Kinzelman, Racine Health Department, julie.kinzelman@cityofracine.org
Meredith Nevers, U.S. Geological Survey - Great Lakes Science Center, mnevers@usgs.gov
Michael Sadowsky, University of Minnesota , sadowsky@umn.edu
Mantha Phanikumar, Michigan State University, phani@egr.msu.edu
Richard Whitman, USGS (Retired), psammonman@gmail.com
Tom Edge, Environment and Climate Change Canada, thomas.edge@canada.ca
Alan Piggot, Florida International University, Earth and Environment, alan@piggot.com
Alexandria Boehm, Stanford University, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, ali.boehm@gmail.com
Asli Aslan, Georgia Southern University, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, aaslan@georgiasouthern.edu
Brian Badgley, Virginia Tech, Crop and Soil Sciences, badgley@vt.edu
Christopher Heaney, Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, cheaney@jhu.edu
Erin Symonds, College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, esymonds@mail.usf.edu
Helena Solo-Gabriele, University of Miami, College of Engineering, Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, hmsolo@miami.edu
Jay Fleisher, College of Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Jay.Fleisher@nova.edu
Jody Harwood, Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, vharwood@usf.edu
Kevan Yamahara, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, kyamahara@mbari.org
Laura Vogel, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Western University, laurajvogel@gmail.com
Maria Luisa Jordao, Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge NIF 501427511, maria.jordao@insa.min-saude.pt
Lindsay Avolio, Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, lavolio1@jhu.edu
Paivi Merilainen, Department of Public Health Solutions, National Institute for Health and Welfare, paivi.merilainen@thl.fi
Tarja Pitkanen, Water and Health Unit, Nation Institute for Health and Welfare, tarja.pitkanen@thl.fi
Warish Ahmed, CSIRO Land and Water, Water for a Healthy County Flagship, Queensland Biosciences Precinct, Warish.Ahmed@csiro.au
Zachery Staley, National Water Research Institute, Water Science & Technology Directorate, Environment Canada, zstaley307@gmail.com
James Klaus, University of Miami, j.klaus@miami.edu

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