Beach Health Monitoring with the City or Racine Health Department Laboratory

ERIC C. PLANTENBERG FRESHWATER 980 PROFESSIONAL GRADUATE INTERNSHIP UWM- SCHOOL OF FRESHWATER SCIENCESNOVEMBER 12, 2015

Today we will discuss:The Racine Health Department LaboratoryParameters affecting beach health Method of monitoring beach healthMy projects and resultsSummary of my internship and goals

Racine Health Department Laboratory

Publicly funded research laboratory◦ Beach health monitoring

◦ Functions like consulting company ◦ Five local municipalities and counties◦ WI DNR◦ US EPA ◦ USGS

◦ Laboratory Director- Dr. Julie Kinzleman ◦ 4 fulltime lab employees ◦ 7 undergraduate and graduate inters

Fecal Indicator Bacteria (FIB)“…a substance that indicates the potential for human infectious disease.” (US EPA, 2012)

•E. coli and Enterococci

•In Wisconsin:• Advisory: FIB > 235 cfu/100 ml • Closure: FIB > 1000 cfu/100 ml NEEAR study culture data aggregated by similar water quality and 1986

criteria data for (a) fresh water beaches and (b) marine water beaches (US EPA, 2012)

Beach Health and Related Parameters Sources of FIB:

◦ Excreted in feces of warm blooded animals. ◦ transported to local waterways

◦ Tributaries◦ Stormwater runoff (agricultural and urban), ◦ Sewage overflows (Gannon and Busse, 1989).

◦ Nearshore sediments (Alm et al, 2003)◦ Filamentous green algae (Byappanahalli et al, 2009)◦ Wildlife and domesticated animals (Fogarty et al, 2003)

(Koski and Kinzelman, RHD Laboratory, 2012) Stormwater seep adjacent to Grant Park Beach (Brunner and Kinzelman, 2014)

Algae and E. coliInfluence of algae • In general, algae is positively correlated to E.

coli density. • Potentially foster bacterial growth • Relationship is poorly understood • (Whiteman et al, 2003, Ishii et al, 2006)

Influence of submerged algae on beach E. coli concentration at Grant Park, 2010-2012 (Koski and Kinzelman, RHD Laboratory, 2012).

Gulls and Beach Health•Gull feces: 3.68×108 fecal coliform bacteria per gram (Alderisio and DeLuca, 1999). • Geese: 1.43×104 fecal coliform bacteria per gram

•Mobilization of FIB to nearshore water results from rain or wave action.

“Comparison of E. coli levels at the South Shore Beach shoreline (total samples n=155). Sites 1–3: swimming beach area; Site 4: bird roost site adjacent to beach area. Values given are geometric means. “, (Mclellan and Salmore, 2003).

Enumeration of FIB- Colilert Substrate Procedure •Colilert reagent:• Metabolism by coliforms → yellow-colored compound • Metabolism by E. coli → fluorescent compound

•24 hour incubation in Idexx QuantiTrays®

•Analysis gives most probably number of CFUs per 100ml (MPN/100ml)

(Idexx Laboratories Inc., 2009)

Idexx QuantiTrays under visible and ultraviolet light. (United States Department of Agriculture, 2015).

Enumeration of FIB- US EPA mEI Method 1600•Filtration through a sterile, gridded membrane filter• 0.45µm pore size.

•24 hour incubation on mEI agar plates (indoxyl β-D-glucoside) • metabolized by enterococcus bacteria → blue

compound

•Enumeration by counting colonies with blue halo

(US EPA, 2002)

Enterococci-positive gridded membrane filter after incubation on Enterococcus-selective, indoxyl β-D-glucoside (mEI) agar (US EPA, 2002).

Enumeration of FIB- qPCR Analysis•Fluorescent tagging and replication of target sequence. • Fast- 3-4 hours

•Expensive

•Replication of non-viable cells.

•Rarely used to monitor beach health.

(Xu, 2014)

Beach Health Modeling Software•Virtual Beach • Development of “…site-specific

statistical models for the prediction of pathogen indicator levels at recreational beaches.” (US EPA, 2015)

•Relies on previously gathered data

•Fast

•Less accurate than sampling

The VB 2.0 Beach Location interface showing a Google Hybrid map. (US EPA, 2010)

US EPA Beach Health Modeling Study •Goal: to improve modeling software. Data gathered from multiple beaches.

•Grant Park Beach, South Milwaukee, WI• Water quality most significantly

effected by: • waves and onshore winds• algae• congregating gulls

(Koski and Kinzelman, 2012)

Grant Park Beach sampling transects and features (Racine Health Department Laboratory, 2013).

US EPA Beach Health Modeling Study

Methods:

Sample Collection: ◦ Historical composite

◦ GP1-GP4, at surface, 1m depth◦ Composite

◦ GP2-GP4, at surface, 0.3m depth and 1m depth◦ Oak Creek◦ Field Blank

Data Collection: ◦ Conductivity, pH, weather conditions, water

temperature, wave height, bird count.

US EPA Beach Health Modeling Study

Methods (cont.):

Sample Analysis ◦ Measurement of turbidity. ◦ Colilert substrate procedure for E. coli

enumeration ◦ mEI incubation for Enterococci enumeration

◦ qPCR filtration and preservation◦ DOC/UV sample preparation◦ Retention of water sample for phage analysis

Record Keeping ◦ Data scanned and sent to US EPA weekly.

WI DNR BEACH Act •Amendment to the Federal Clean Water Act

•Requires monitoring and reporting of public beach health• Oversight/funding for RHD’s involvement• Kenosha and Oak Creek• WI DNR• Grant through the US EPA • (WI DNR, 2015).

•WIBeaches.us

WI DNR BEACH Act Beaches:

◦ Kenosha◦ Eichelman Park Beach, ◦ Simmons Island Park Beach◦ Southport Park Beach◦ Pennoyer Park Beach◦ Alford Park Beach

◦ South Milwaukee- Grant Park Beach◦ Oak Creek- Bender Park Beach

Methods: ◦ Water samples and data gathered 1-4 times per

week ◦ Additional data on algae, beach litter, floatable

debris, clarity. Sampling transects at Alford, Pennoyer, and Southport Park Beaches (clockwise from left) (Koski and Kinzelman, 2012).

WI DNR BEACH Act Methods, cont.

Sample Analysis ◦ Measurement of turbidity and

conductivity. ◦ Colilert substrate procedure for E. coli

enumeration

Record Keeping ◦ Data retained at WIBeaches.us and

laboratory database WIBeaches.us home page showing health status of Wisconsin beaches. (WIBeaches.us, accessed 10/2015)

Eichelman Park Beach, Kenosha Water Quality

◦ Frequent Exceedances ◦ Loafing gulls near Transect EM-1 ◦ deeply eroded depression adjacent to the

breakwater (Koski and Kinzelman, 2014)

Restoration work◦ Artificial sand dune

◦ Reduce stormwater runoff ◦ Deter gull lounging

◦ Eroded depression filled Location of sampling transects at Eichelman park Beach, pre restoration (Koski and Kinzelman, 2014).

Eichelman Park Beach, Kenosha

Year

# Exceedances

# Samples

%

Exceedances

Median E. coli (MPN/100 ml)

Median Daily Gull Count

EM-1 EM-2 EM-1 EM-2

2010 36 82 44% 264 172.5 0 02011 38 102 37% 158 110 30 02012 39 104 38% 140 132.5 23.5 02013 25 74 34% 120 63 2 02014 47 82 57% 213 275 10 452015 28 94 30% 140.5 85.5 20 0

Total (n), Mean (x) n=213 n=538 x=40% x=173 x=140 x=14 x=8Summary of sanitary data at Eichelman Park Beach, pre- and post-restoration.

Eichelman Park Beach, Kenosha

Median daily log E. coli numbers and median daily gull count at transects EM-1 and EM-1 at Kenosha’s Eichelman Park Beach from 2010-2015.

Simmons Island Park Beach, Kenosha

Water Quality ◦ Loafing gulls near Transects SI-4 and SI-5.◦ Wave action transporting FIB to nearshore water

(Koski and Kinzelman, 2014)

Restoration work:◦ Alternate grading and grooming methods◦ Construction of artificial dune near SI-5◦ Improvement of public access

Location of sampling transects at Simmons Island Park Beach, pre restoration (Koski and Kinzelman, 2014).

Simmons Island Park Beach, Kenosha

Year

#

Exceedances # Samples

% Exceedances

Median E. coli (MPN/100 ml) Median Daily Gull Count

SI-4 SI-5 SI-4 SI-52010 9 33 27% 109 68.5 0 402011 5 31 16% 73 52 0 2502012 6 31 19% 73 86 13 52.52013 9 37 24% 63 74 26 102.52014 9 35 26% 121 189 21 1252015 11 89 12% 63 41 19 10

Total (n), Mean (x) n=49 n=256 x=21% x=84 x=85 x=13 x=97

Summary of sanitary data at Simmons Island Park Beach, pre- and post-restoration.

Simmons Island Park Beach, Kenosha

Median daily log E. coli numbers and median daily gull count at transects SI-4 and SI-5 at Kenosha’s Simmons Island Park Beach from 2010-2015.

Samuel Myers Recreational Area Beach, Racine

Water quality: ◦ Loafing gulls◦ high waves, onshore winds◦ surface runoff from nearby impermeable surfaces

(Brunner, Jozefowski, and Kinzelman, 2014)

Restoration work ◦ constructed wetland cells◦ Surface runoff redirection ◦ Dune restoration◦ Improve public access

Location of sampling transects Samuel Myers Recreational Area Beach, pre restoration (Brunner, Jozefowski, and Kinzelman, 2014).

Samuel Myers Recreational Area Beach, Racine

Year

# Exceedances

# Samples

% Exceedances

Median E. coli (MPN/100 ml)

Median Daily

Gull CountSM-W SM-E2010 17 92 18% 73 79 02011 6 18 33% 216 63 02012 1 28 4% 10 5 0.52013 13 48 27% 47 77.5 32.52014 6 38 16% 75 86 122015 19 34 56% 470 253 0

Total (n), Mean (x) n=62 n=258 24% x=148 x=94 x=8Summary of sanitary data at Samuel Myers Recreational Area Beach, pre- and during.

Samuel Myers Recreational Area Beach, Racine

Median daily log E. coli numbers at transects SM-W and SM-E and median daily gull count at Racine’s Samuel Myers Recreational Area Beach from 2010-2015.

Internship Goals1. Gain proficiency in best practice surface water sampling techniques

2. Gain proficiency in best practice laboratory techniques for regulatory water samples

3. Gain knowledge of parameters that affect the general health of water bodies

4. Gain knowledge of restoration methods that affect beach health.

5. Establish good sampling and laboratory habits

6. Establish good habits regarding scientific record keeping

7. Take advantage of other opportunities to grow professionally

8. Utilize beach health indicator data to preliminarily determine the effect of restoration

References Alderisio, K. A., & DeLuca, N. (1999). Seasonal enumeration of fecal coliform bacteria from the feces of ring-billed gulls (Larus delawarensis)

and Canada geese (Branta canadensis). Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 65(12), 5628-5630.

Alm, E. W., Burke, J., & Spain, A. (2003). Fecal indicator bacteria are abundant in wet sand at freshwater beaches. Water research, 37(16), 3978-3982.

Brunner, Joel, Jozefowski, Jacob, Kinzelman, Julie. (2014). Beach Health Assessment and Recommended Best Management Practices for Grant Park Beach. Report to City of Racine generated by the City of Racine Health Department Laboratory.

Fogarty, L. R., Haack, S. K., Wolcott, M. J., & Whitman, R. L. (2003). Abundance and characteristics of the recreational water quality indicator bacteria Escherichia coli and enterococci in gull faeces. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 94(5), 865-878.

Gannon, J. J., & Busse, M. K. (1989). E. coli and enterococci levels in urban stormwater, river water and chlorinated treatment plant effluent. Water Research, 23(9), 1167-1176.

Haack, S. K., Fogarty, L. R., & Wright, C. (2003). Escherichia coli and enterococci at beaches in the Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan: sources, characteristics, and environmental pathways. Environmental science & technology, 37(15), 3275-3282.

IDEXX Laboratories, Incorporated. (2009). Colilert-18 Procedure. https://ca.idexx.com/water/products/colilert-18.html. Accessed September 3, 2015.

Koski, Adrian, Julie Kinzelman. (2012). Grant Park Water Quality, 2010-2012. Report to the City of South Milwaukee generated by the City of Racine Health Department Laboratory.

References Koski, Adrian, Julie Kinzelman. (2012). Recreational Water Quality along Kenosha County’s Fresh Coast. Report to City of Kenosha generated by the City

of Racine Health Department Laboratory.

McLellan, S. L., & Salmore, A. K. (2003). Evidence for localized bacterial loading as the cause of chronic beach closings in a freshwater marina. Water Research, 37(11), 2700-2708.

United States Department of Agriculture. (2015). Technology and Development at the USDA Forest Service. Retrieved September 3, 2015, from http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/programs/im/coliform/Ecoli_06.shtml

United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2002). Method 1600: enterococci in water by membrane filtration using membrane-Enterococcus indoxyl-D-glucoside agar (mEI), EPA 821/R-02/022, 2002. US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water (4303T), Washington DC.

United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2015). Virtual Beach (VB). Retrieved October 10, 2015, from http://www2.epa.gov/exposure-assessment-models/virtual-beach-vb#History US

United States Environmental Protection Agency. Recreational Water Quality Criteria. (2015, July 21). Retrieved October 10, 2015, from http://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance/standards/criteria/health/recreation/

Whitman, R. L., Shively, D. A., Pawlik, H., Nevers, M. B., & Byappanahalli, M. N. (2003). Occurrence of Escherichia coli and enterococci in Cladophora (Chlorophyta) in nearshore water and beach sand of Lake Michigan. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 69(8), 4714-4719.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. (2015). Wisconsin Beach Health website. Retrieved October 10, 2015, from http://www.wibeaches.us/apex/f?p=BEACH:HOME

Xu, J. (Ed.). (2014). Next-generation Sequencing: Current Technologies and Applications. Caister Academic Press.