Analysis of Indicator Bacteria in NJ Dead-end Lagoons Michael Callaghan Gasbarro Mentor: Dr. Kathryn Goddard Delaware Valley Estuary Summit Session 20: January 28, 2015
Dead-end Canals or Lagoons Popular design in coastal areas to increase the number of waterfront lots Design inhibits water exchange and promotes stagnation Roughly 40 lagoons between Atlantic City and Cape May Dense concentration of houses and recreational activity increases exposure to contamination from bacterial and chemical sources Storm drains empty into the dead end of many lagoons
Storm Water Runoff Bacteria and other pathogens can wash into swimming areas and create health hazards, resulting in beach closures Can carry debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants directly into a wetland, or coastal water Usually it flows untreated, into local water bodies OCNJ Real Estate Group
Health Risks Samples that are above the water quality standard indicate water that presents an increased risk of illness. - NJ DEP Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program Swimming in or contact with polluted water can cause o o o o o o gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain respiratory symptoms sore throat, cough, runny nose, and sneezing eye and ear symptoms including irritation, earache, and itchiness, dermatological symptoms like skin rash and itching flu-like symptoms such as fever and chills. These symptoms are minor most of the time Children and elderly at a higher risk
Objectives 1. Determine whether the lagoons were safe for swimming according to EPA standards 2. If levels were elevated, locate possible sources and inform the proper authorities
Initial Seven Lagoons Sampled
Methods and Testing Procedures Samples were collected from the center of the canals 18 inches below the surface Samples were prepared on m-ei and m-tec agar using membrane filtration according to NJ DEP standards.
Background and Standards Enterococci and Fecal Coliforms are indicator organisms They are used to indicate human or animal waste contamination Type of Bacteria Maximum colonies per 100 ml Enterococci 104 They can predict if more serious pathogens are present Maximum levels are the state and federal standards Fecal Coliforms 200
Enterococci colonies on m-ei agar. Fecal coliform colonies on m-tec agar. Becton Dickinson and Company
Sample Site Numbers
Bacterial Levels for Sites 1-10, 15-25 are within government guidelines 60 CFU/100mL 50 40 30 20 Average Colonies Fecal Coliforms Average Colonies Enterococci 10 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Site Number
Bacterial Levels for Sites 11-14 in Sunny Harbor CFU/100mL 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 Average Colonies Fecal Coliforms Average Colonies Enterococci 5467 1000 0 921 313 352 4 17 35 56 11 12 13 14 Site Number
Redesigned Sample Sites in Sunny Harbor Lagoon
Enterococci levels decrease with increasing distance from the storm water outfall 140 Average Colonies Enterococci 120 CFU/100 ml 100 80 60 40 20 Maximum 104 CFU/100mL Enterococci from a single sample Geometric Mean Sites 1-7 Maximum 35 CFU/100mL Enterococci for a geometric mean 0 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Site Number
Fecal Coliforms levels decrease with distance from the storm water outfall 8000 7000 6000 Average Colonies Fecal Coliforms CFU/100mL 5000 4000 3000 Maximum 200 CFU/100 ml Fecal Coliforms from a single sample 2000 1000 0 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Site Number
Redesigned Sample Sites in Sunny Harbor Lagoon
Fall Sampling Sites in Sunny Harbor Lagoon
Enterococci in Autumn 2015 decrease with increasing distance from outfall 600 500 Average Colonies Enterococci 542 CFU/100mL 400 300 200 100 57 Maximum 104 CFU/100 ml Enterococci from a single sample 145 309 0 50 Arkansas 8 Arkansas 1902 Bay 1 Walnut Site Location
Fecal Coliforms in Autumn 2015 decrease with increasing distance from outfall 8000 CFIU/100 ml 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 Average Colonies Fecal Coliforms Maximum 200 CFU/100mL Fecal Coliforms from a single sample 4300 6850 2000 1000 395 1133 0 50 Arkansas 8 Arkansas 1902 Bay 1 Walnut Site Location
Network of drainage pipes that connect to the outfall located at 1 Walnut
Levels of Bacteria from samples collected from the storm drain CFU/100mL 1200 1000 800 600 400 E. coli Enterococcus 200 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Storm Drain Manhole Sample Sites
Conclusions Source of contamination most likely from the drainage are connected to the outfall pipe at the end of lagoon. Contamination is isolated to Sunny Harbor Other Lagoons and Bays were below the standard safe for swimming The residents of this lagoon should be informed by their government of the contamination levels.
Residents of coastal communities could unknowingly expose themselves to bacterial contamination by swimming or boating in waters they consider to be their backyard. Significance
Future Plans Use Antibiotic Resistance Tests to determine whether a human or animal source Genetic testing of bacteria Work with officials to bring attention to areas not monitored but heavily utilized by the public
Questions?