Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Bathing Beaches”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 415 records · Page 23Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Indicator organism sources and coastal water quality: a catchment study on the island of Jersey.

Compliance monitoring of bathing waters at La Grève de Lecq on the North coast of Jersey revealed a significant deterioration in water quality between 1992 and 1993, as indexed by presumptive coliform, presumptive Escherichia coli and streptococci concentrations. During the 1993 bathing season the beach failed to attain the compliance with the EC Guideline criteria for presumptive E. coli and streptococci. A bacteriological survey of the stream catchment draining to the beach revealed that: (i) concentrations of faecal indicator organisms were enhanced at high discharge after rainfall; and (ii) a captive water fowl population, which expanded between 1990 and 1993, was a potential source of faecal pollution. Strategies for catchment management are discussed.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1990

Hygienic investigation of coastal waters of the upper Adriatic Sea.

In the course of the bathing season of 1989, investigations of bathing waters were carried out in two-week intervals. From the point of view of public health, the chemical-physical and microbiological results do not suggest objections against bathing at the beach areas investigated (Grado, Lignano). However, these favorable results do not imply intact ecological conditions. National and international standards are designed for humans and allow only very limited conclusions about the living conditions of the marine ecosystem. This also means that ecological investigations are not sufficient to permit conclusions about hygienic conditions. In spite of this seeming contradiction, hygienic and ecological concerns are clearly identical. Hygienic measures must not be limited to local "cosmetic" corrections but must target foremost unfavorable basic conditions.

Enterobacteriaceae↗
PubMed1988

The transmission of virus disease by the marine environment.

Human enteric viruses in urban wastewater often flow into the marine environment through outfall sewers which can cause pollution of adjacent beaches used for bathing and of areas where fish and seafood grow and are harvested for human consumption. This paper will deal with the survival and dispersion of human enteric viruses in the marine environment and the risks to human health resulting from direct contact recreational activities such as bathing and/or the consumption of seafood, particularly mollusks which can concentrate viruses in the seawater and infect humans who eat such sea products raw or only partially cooked.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Mycological assessment of sediments in Ligurian beaches in the Northwestern Mediterranean: pathogens and opportunistic pathogens.

Sediments of five Ligurian beaches in compliance with European Union bathing water regulations were studied based on the characteristics of the fungal assemblage during the tourism season. Among the 179 taxa of filamentous fungi isolated, 120 were opportunistic pathogens, such as Acremonium sp., and the genus Penicillium was also present as the pathogenic species P. citrinum. Furthermore, 5% of the total filamentous fungi belonged to the dermatophyte genus Microsporum, whose species can cause mycoses. Beach sediments showed elevated densities of opportunistic pathogens, of pathogenic filamentous fungi, and of yeasts during the tourism season. Although monitoring of beach sediments for microbiological contamination is not mandatory, and disease transmission from sediments has not yet been demonstrated, our study suggests that beach sediments may act as a reservoir of potential pathogens, including fungi. In addition, the mycoflora displayed high sensitivity to critical environmental situations in the beaches studied. Therefore, the fungal community can be a useful tool for assessing the quality of sandy beaches in terms of sanitary and environmental quality.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1998

[Polychaetes as bioindicators of organic pollution on the beaches of São Paulo].

This study consisted of an analysis of the occurrence of bioindicator polychaete species of organic pollution along beaches of the north coast of São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil, taking into account the importance of benthic species as indicators of organically enriched environments. A comparison was established between the frequence and abundance of these species in areas qualified as impacted and improper for bathing. The study area comprehends 17 beaches of the Caraguatatuba Bay and the Channel of São Sebastião. The data about the macrobenthos were collected from March, 1988 to March, 1991 and the data on bathing conditions came from reports published by CETESB. The biological samples were obtained with an iron core of 0.025 m2 surface area. The results show markedly the presence of species considered as indicators of organically enriched places, such as Capitella capitata, Heteromastus filiformis, Laeonereis acuta, and Scolelepis squamata. The high density of Capitella and Heteromastus in beaches considered improper for bathing consist in a strong indication of the degree of damage to these areas.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Microbial sampling variables and recreational water quality standards.

A study was conducted at two beaches on Lake Erie to evaluate the water sampling design for the collection of several microbiological indicator organisms in relation to day, time, and location of collection. The concentrations of these organisms were generally found to vary significantly (P less than 0.05) by the specific time of day and day of weekend that collection took place. However, the concentrations of these organisms did not vary significantly (P greater than 0.05) at various locations in the bathing area. Future studies investigating the health effects of recreational water as related to microbiological variables should be designed to collect water samples at the specific time of day and day of weekend that an individual was exposed. In addition, sampling at various locations in the bathing area should probably be considered for those beaches having poor dispersion of fecal waste sources.

Bathing Beaches↗
PubMed2005

Use of composite data sets for source-tracking enterococci in the water column and shoreline interstitial waters on Pensacola Beach, Florida.

Sources of Enterococcus faecalis isolates from Pensacola Beach, FL. were identified using a library-based approach by applying the statistical method of average similarity to single and composite data sets generated from separate analyses. Data sets included antibiotic resistance analysis (ARA), rep-fingerprints, and fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiles. Use of a composite data set composed of ARA and rep-fingerprints, added to the confidence of the identifications. The addition of FAME data to composite data sets did not add to the confidence of identifications. Source identification was performed to better understand risk associated with higher densities of enterococci found in swash zone interstitial water (SZIW) as compared to adjacent bathing water on Pensacola Beach, FL. The "swash zone" is that area of the beach continually washed over by waves. As the potential sources of enterococci were limited in this environment, only two library units, sea gull and human, were constructed. Identification of the beach isolates using a composite data set indicated a sea gull origin. The clonality of the beach isolates suggested that the beach environment selects certain subspecies of E. faecalis.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

[Pests at Baltic Sea coast. II. Summary of most important groups on insects besides Coleoptera and Diptera].

In the special holiday situations at the Baltic coast of GDR, species of very different insect groups may become annoying to man. Own experiences in this field are reported (excepting Coleoptera and Diptera). The earwig, Forficula auricularia, has many varying aspects of a health pest (also in the respect of social hygiene). This species, too, may pinch painfully with his pincers. The lice species Pediculus capitis and Pthirus pubis are met with sometimes. Limothrips cerealium may be annoying not only when swarming in mass, but also individual specimens (crawling on the skin or piercing it). Ants may be a pest in varying manners. A special example of this is if they invade sand castles [sun bathing places on the beaches surrounded by sand walls]. Wasps are attracted by different ways to childrens' holiday camps. In 1973, they were even aggressive on the beach of Hiddensee. Caterpillars of Thaumatopaea pinivora may become a serious health pest in individual cases. The real cause is not always detected by laymen. Fleas occur more or less regularly. Sometimes they are incorrectly diagnosed or reported.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Microbiological water quality in urban coastal beaches: the influence of water dynamics and optimization of the sampling strategy.

In the summer 2001, the microbiological water quality of two contiguous urban coastal beaches (Porto, Portugal) was surveyed for 18 consecutive days. The sampling strategy consisted in sampling surface water in early morning, noon and afternoon. A total of 184 samples were processed at Pastoras beach, a confined area between two jetties, and Ourigo Beach more open to the ocean. At the first beach site, all samples exceeded fecal contamination above guide values (GV) and 82.6% above mandatory values (MV) set out in the EU Bathing Water Directive; whereas at Pastoras Beach, the figures were 93.5% for GV and 26.1% for MV, showing a potential health risk. The periodicity of fecal indicators in raw sewage, the tidal status and wind conditions dramatically influenced the water quality. The quality decreased in the morning regardless of tide conditions, but improved subsequently during the day, particularly during high tide and under the influence of afternoon NW winds. These dynamics are incompatible with the fortnight routine sampling according to the recommendations of the EU Bathing Water Directive, and the strategy should be revised on a beach-to-beach basis, having in mind the profile for the coastal zone.

Cities↗
PubMed2002

Cross-shelf transport at Huntington Beach. Implications for the fate of sewage discharged through an offshore ocean outfall.

In this study, we evaluate the potential for internal tides to transport wastewater effluent from the Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD) ocean outfall toward Huntington Beach. Results of plume tracking studies show that OCSD effluent occasionally moves shoreward into water less than 20 m deep. Analyses of current and temperature observations indicate cold water is regularly advected cross-shelf, in to and out of the nearshore, at both semi-diurnal and diurnal frequencies. Isotherms typically associated with the waste field near the outfall are observed just outside the Huntington Beach surf zone, where the total depth is less than 6 m, highlighting the extent of the cross-shelf transport. This advection is attributed to a mode 1 internal motion, or internal tide. On the basis of the analyses presented here, the OCSD plume cannot be ruled out as a contributor to poor bathing-water quality at Huntington Beach.

California↗
PubMed2004

Public mis-notification of coastal water quality: a probabilistic evaluation of posting errors at Huntington Beach, California.

Whenever measurements of fecal pollution in coastal bathing waters reach levels that might pose a significant health risk, warning signs are posted on public beaches in California. Analysis of historical shoreline monitoring data from Huntington Beach, southern California, reveals that protocols used to decide whether to post a sign are prone to error. Errors in public notification (referred to here as posting errors) originate from the variable character of pollutant concentrations in the ocean, the relatively infrequent sampling schedule adopted by most monitoring programs (daily to weekly), and the intrinsic error associated with binary advisories in which the public is either warned or not. In this paper, we derive a probabilistic framework for estimating posting error rates, which at Huntington Beach range from 0 to 41%, and show that relatively high sample-to-sample correlations (>0.4) are required to significantly reduce binary advisory posting errors. Public mis-notification of coastal water quality can be reduced by utilizing probabilistic approaches for predicting current coastal water quality, and adopting analog, instead of binary, warning systems.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2001

Risk assessment of virus infections in the Oder estuary (southern Baltic) on the basis of spatial transport and virus decay simulations.

The large Oder (Szczecin) Lagoon (687 km2) at the German-Polish border, close to the Baltic Sea, suffers from severe eutrophication and water quality problems due to high discharge of water, nutrients and pollutants by the river Oder. Sewage treatment around the lagoon has been very much improved during the last years, but large amounts of sewage still enter the Oder river. Human pathogenic viruses generally can be expected in all surface waters that are affected by municipal sewage. There is an increasing awareness that predisposed persons can be infected by a few infective units or even a single active virus. Another new aspect is, that at least polioviruses attached to suspended particles can be infective for weeks and therefore be transported over long distances. Therefore, the highest risk of virus inputs arise from the large amounts of untreated sewage of the city of Szczecin (Poland), which are released into the river Oder and transported to the lagoon and the Baltic Sea. Summer tourism is the most important economical factor in this coastal region and further growth is expected. Human pathogenic viruses might be a serious problem for bathing water quality and sustainable summer tourism. The potential hazard of virus infections along beaches and shores of the Oder lagoon and adjacent parts of the Baltic Sea is evaluated on the basis of model simulations and laboratory results. We used two scenarios for the Older Lagoon considering free viruses and viruses attached to suspended particle matter. The spatial impact of the average virus release in the city of Szczecin during summer (bathing period) was simulated with a hydrodynamic and particle tracking model. Simulations suggest that due to fast inactivation, free viruses in the water represent a risk only in the river and near the river mouth. On the other hand, viruses attached to suspended matter can affect large areas of the eastern, Polish part of the lagoon (Grosses Haff). At the same time the accumulation of viruses on suspended particulate matter increases the likelihood of an infection after incorporation of such a particle. There is no evidence, that there is a risk of virus infections in the western part of the lagoon (Kleines Haff) or along the outer Baltic Sea coast.

Bathing Beaches↗
PubMed1994

[Occurrence of Salmonella in coastal North Sea water and their hygienic relation to indicator bacteria and sources of contamination].

The quantity of salmonella, fecal coliform bacteria and fecal streptococci was measured in 2003 water samples from North Sea coastal water, drainage canals, the lower River Ems and sewage works. The presence of salmonella did not correlate to an increasing presence of fecal indicator bacteria. In several cases more than 10(3) salmonella per litre were found in samples whose fecal coliform levels met the strictest quality requirements (in accordance with the levels stipulated by EEC bathing water regulations). Additionally 226 marine sediment samples were measured for their content of salmonella only. While salmonella were present in 12.3% of at least 1 litre of the North Sea water samples (bathing places excepted) and in about 7% of sediment samples (10 g), no salmonella were traced in 400 samples from marine water bathing places. The general contamination with salmonella of sea water bathing places can therefore be regarded as low. More frequent occurrences on the beaches must be seen as the result of a concrete case of contamination or other disturbance. The serovarieties of the salmonella isolated from North Sea and Ems waters indicate in comparison with isolations from sewage works, infected humans and calves from the region that the contamination of the local coastal water mainly stems from sewage works and could also on a small scale be caused by sea birds. Salmonella from agricultural sources proved to be irrelevant in this study. Molecular biological examinations of the plasmid profiles for example could give more precise informations. The establishment of serovarieties which are relatively unimportant for human medicine (eg. S. mbandaka) in sewage works, drainage canals and the North Sea reveal the problem involved in evaluating such finds in bathing water samples, because in EEC regulations no differentiation or quantification is made.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Bathing water control according to the EEC Directive with a critical evaluation of coliforms as pollution indicators in marine environments.

The Danish bathing water control system as it has been worked out on the basis of the EEC Directive is described. According to the national tradition a standard for E. coli which is more stringent that the mandatory value in the directive has been maintained. Additionally water which has not distinctly been appointed as bathing water is protected against deterioration in the national legislation. Local authorities have been authorized to prohibit dogs on the beaches. Results from 1978 show that 16284 samples were taken from 1525 sampling points. Acceptable water quality was proved at 1292 stations. Only at 23 stations did local authorities completely prohibit bathing activities. The coast has been classified as excellent, good or unfit for recreational use. In fig. 1 a survey of water quality for the whole country is indicated. The use of coliforms as pollution does not essentially improve the evaluation of the hygienic condition of the water at least in the marine environment.

Bathing Beaches↗
PubMed2004

Impacts of beach closures on perceptions of swimming-related health risk in Orange County, California.

Following a major beach closure due to bacterial contamination, a survey of beachgoers was conducted in Huntington Beach, California in 1999 to assess perceived health risk from swimming. Responses were compared to those of beachgoers at the unaffected Laguna Main Beach. No significant differences were found in risk perception. Respondents were aware of the closures (83%), yet the majority (83%) felt the water was safe for swimming. Proximity of residence to the beach was strongly associated with closure awareness (Spearman's rho=0.427, p<0.0001). Although 83% of respondents felt that water quality was important in deciding to go to the beach, only 25% of respondents who did not plan to swim cited pollution or contamination as a reason not to swim. Most respondents (70%) trusted local health agency officials' decisions about when to open/close beaches. Surveyed beach visitors were likely to bathe (84%) and were not highly concerned with swimming-related health risks.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Does calculation of the 95th percentile of microbiological results offer any advantage over percentage exceedence in determining compliance with bathing water quality standards?

UNLABELLED: AIMIS: Draft WHO guidance is likely to suggest a calculated 95th percentile method, rather than percentage exceedence, in assessing compliance of bathing waters with microbiological standards. This study set out to determine whether this was an appropriate development. METHODS AND RESULTS: A series of Monte Carlo studies compared five non-parametric methods for calculating the 95th percentile with the parametric method and compares results with percentage exceedence. It is shown that the Hazen method gives the closest proximity to the parametric method for calculating 95th percentile values. However, the difference between 95th percentile results and percentage exceedence, as currently used, is trivial compared to uncertainty due to sample variation. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that a calculated 95th percentile for beach classification offers little advantage compared to percentage exceedence, other than offering a false sense of certainty. Furthermore, the additional calculation needed in determining 95th percentile values will demand electronic calculation, increase the chance of calculation errors and make the results less understandable to beach managers and the general public. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study should encourage the European Commission to keep percent compliance rather than calculation of 95th percentiles in any new bathing water directive.

Bacteria↗
PubMed2003

Evaluation of recreational health risk in coastal waters based on enterococcus densities and bathing patterns.

We constructed a simulation model to compute the incidences of highly credible gastrointestinal illness (HCGI) in recreational bathers at two intermittently contaminated beaches of Orange County, California. Assumptions regarding spatial and temporal bathing patterns were used to determine exposure levels over a 31-month study period. Illness rates were calculated by applying previously reported relationships between enterococcus density and HCGI risk to the exposure data. Peak enterococcus concentrations occurred in late winter and early spring, but model results showed that most HCGI cases occurred during summer, attributable to elevated number of exposures. Approximately 99% of the 95,010 illness cases occurred when beaches were open. Model runs were insensitive to 0-10% swimming activity assumed during beach closure days. Comparable illness rates resulted under clustered and uniform bather distribution scenarios. HCGI attack rates were within federal guidelines of tolerable risk when averaged over the study period. However, tolerable risk thresholds were exceeded for 27 total days and periods of at least 6 consecutive days. Illness estimates were sensitive to the functional form and magnitude of the enterococcus density-HCGI relationships. The results of this study contribute to an understanding of recreational health risk in coastal waters.

California↗
PubMed2005

Wet-weather urban discharges: implications from adopting the revised European Directive concerning the quality of bathing water.

Wet weather urban discharges are responsible for bathing water contamination. The proposal for a revised EU Directive concerning the quality of bathing water imposes significantly more stringent requirements for the management of bathing water quality, with particularly important repercussions on beaches subjected to short-term pollution incidents. The paper reviews the aspects from EU legislation most directly related to the problem of wet-weather discharges, placing special emphasis on the recent revision process of the Directive on bathing water quality, and evaluates the benefits of some potential solutions based on continuous modelling of a combined sewer system. Increasing the sewer system storage capacity or the STP hydraulic capacity may substantially reduce the untreated discharge volumes, but spill frequency reductions under 2 to 3 spill days per bathing season will hardly be achieved. Results show the severe strains that local rainfall patterns would place on compliance with the Commission's proposal for a revised Directive and highlight the importance of the changes introduced in the amended proposal recently approved by the Council, making it less prescriptive if adequate measures are adopted to prevent bathers' exposure to short-term pollution incidents.

Baths↗