INFOTERRA: News: Innovations in tracking beach pollution
http://ens-news.com/ens/jan2003/2003-01-10-09.asp
Beach Water Pollution Can Be Tracked to Its Source
IRVINE, California, January 10, 2003 (ENS) - A California study may help
beachside communities identify the sources of water pollution affecting
beach water.
The study has proved instrumental for improving the quality of beach water
in Avalon, Catalina Island, a popular California tourist destination. The
research shows that it is possible to identify and track the specific
sources of water pollution by combining bacteria sampling with genetic
testing.
By combining these methods, the researchers found that decaying sewage
pipes in the downtown area adjacent to Avalon Bay had been leaking human
waste into the shoreline water. As a result of the research, Avalon
officials sliplined the city's sewer lines to seal the leaks and are
investigating connecting pipes from private businesses and homes for
further leakage.
Their work has already decreased bacteria levels along the shoreline by
more than 50 percent, and beach closures declined from 31 in 2001 to 15 in
2002.
The approach provides a new method for coastal agencies to comply with
tougher beach water quality laws. Beaches are now tested for fecal
indicator bacteria using methods that only provide general information on
potential sources for pollution. High bacteria content can lead to beach
closures.
"Right now, beach communities are faced with bacterial pollution without
knowing their sources," said lead author Stanley Grant, an environmental
engineer at the University of California at Irvine (UCI).
"The combination of indicator sampling and genetic testing has the
potential to make a real difference in efforts to clean up polluted
beaches," Grant added.
The study, coauthored by University of Southern California microbiologist
Jed Fuhrman, Alexandria Boehm of Stanford University, and Robert Mrše of
UCI, was posted Thursday on the Research ASAP site of "Environmental
Science & Technology." <>
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Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 2003. All Rights Reserved.
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