Sinigalliano, C. ., University of Miami Cooperativ, Miami, USA, christopher.sinigalliano@noaa.gov
Wanless, D. ., University of Miami Cooperative Institute of Marine and Atmospheric Studies - NOAA/AOML, Miami, USA, david.wanless@noaa.gov
Scott, T. ., Source Molecular, Inc., Miami, USA, tscott@gator.net
Stewart, J. ., NOAA Hollings Marine Lab, Charleston, USA, jill.stewart@noaa.gov
Meeroff, D. ., Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, USA, dmeeroff@fau
Bloetscher, F. ., Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, USA, h2o_man@bellsouth.net
Boyer, J. ., Florida International University, Miami, USA, boyerj@fiu.edu
Goodwin, K. ., NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, Miami, USA, kelly.goodwin@noaa.gov

MOLECULAR MICROBIAL WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT AND BACTERIAL SOURCE TRACKING FOR THE FLORIDA AREA COASTAL ENVIRONMENT (FACE) PROGRAM

The Florida Area Coastal Environment Program (FACE) at NOAA-AOML was developed to assess whether municipal infrastructure impacts the health of Florida coastal ecosystems by providing an integrated analysis of the physical, chemical, and biological oceanography of coastal areas near wastewater outflows, septic systems, inlets, and canals. With the FACE program, we have utilized both traditional culture-based and molecular-based detection methods to assess microbial water quality for a variety of fecal indicator bacteria, alternative indicators, bacterial source-tracking markers, and selected bacterial, viral, and protozoan pathogens. Analysis of surface boil waters from six wastewater outfalls along the SE Florida coast demonstrated presence of both pathogenic viruses and protozoan cysts, but essentially no presence of bacterial fecal indicators or bacterial pathogens. In contrast, certain SE Florida coastal inlets and several canal and near-shore coastal areas of the Florida Keys demonstrated elevated levels of fecal indicator bacteria, presence of source tracking markers for both human-source and domestic animal fecal contamination, and the presence of viral and protozoan pathogens. These continuing studies should help assess the efficacy of on-going sanitation improvement programs in the region.

Poster presentation

Presentation is given by student: No
Session #:120
Date: 03-03-2008
Time: 17:30 - 19:30