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Estimation of enterococci input from bathers and animals on a recreational beach using camera images
Wang, J.D.; Solo-Gabriele, H.M.; Abdelzaher, A.M.; Fleming, L.E. (2010). Estimation of enterococci input from bathers and animals on a recreational beach using camera images. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 60(8): 1270-1278. dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2010.03.016
In: Marine Pollution Bulletin. Macmillan: London. ISSN 0025-326X; e-ISSN 1879-3363, more
Peer reviewed article  

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Keywords
    Enterococcus Thiercelin & Jouhaud, 1903 [WoRMS]
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    Indicator microbe organism; Enterococcus; Recreational water quality; Bather shedding; Animal fecal load

Authors  Top 
  • Wang, J.D.
  • Solo-Gabriele, H.M.
  • Abdelzaher, A.M.
  • Fleming, L.E., more

Abstract
    Enterococci, are used nationwide as a water quality indicator of marine recreational beaches. Prior research has demonstrated that enterococci inputs to the study beach site (located in Miami, FL) are dominated by non-point sources (including humans and animals). We have estimated their respective source functions by developing a counting methodology for individuals to better understand their non-point source load impacts. The method utilizes camera images of the beach taken at regular time intervals to determine the number of people and animal visitors. The developed method translates raw image counts for week days and weekend days into daily and monthly visitation rates. Enterococci source functions were computed from the observed number of unique individuals for average days of each month of the year, and from average load contributions for humans and for animals. Results indicate that dogs represent the larger source of enterococci relative to humans and birds.

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