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Beach Monitoring
Evaluation of the Effects of the Algal Nuisance Cladophora on E.coli and Beach Closures
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS: Gregory T. Kleinheinz, Assoc. Professor of Env. Microbiology, Univ. of WI -Oshkosh Colleen M. McDermott, Professor of Microbiology, Univ. of WI -Oshkosh
ASSOCIATE INVESTIGATORS: Michael Sadowsky, Professor, Dept. of Soil, Water, and Climate, Univ. of MN, Minneapolis, MN Richard Whitman, Station Chief and Research Ecologist, USGS, Lake Michigan Ecol. Stat., Porter, IN Contact Todd R. Sandrin1, Asst Professor of Microbial Physiology, UW-Oshkosh Robert Pillsbury1, Asst. Professor of Biology (Limnology/Phycology), UW-Oshkosh William Schuster, Director, Door County Soil and Water Conservation Department, Sturgeon Bay, W Julie Kinzelman, Public Health Microbiologist, City of Racine, Dept. of Public Health, Racine, WI Muruleedhara Byappanahali, Research Microbiologist, USGS, Lake Michigan Ecol. Station, Porter, IN
CONTACT: Dept. of Biology and Microbiology University of Wisconsin Oshkosh 800 Algoma Blvd. Oshkosh, WI 54901 Phone - (920) 424-1100 Fax - (920) 424-1101 E-mail - kleinhei@uwosh.edu
KEYWORDS: algae, bacteria, beach, coliform, Door, genetic, Great Lakes, Lake Michigan, microbiology, pathogen, water, Wisconsin
OBJECTIVES: Our overarching goal is to determine if E. coli associated with Cladophora mats influences beach closures in the Great Lakes. Our multi-institutional, interdisciplinary team will pursue this broad objective by addressing the following specific objectives. Objective 1: Determine spatial and temporal effects of elevated Cladophora levels on the relative abundance of E. coli and other indicator bacteria (i.e., Enterococci) in proximity to bathing beaches. Underlying hypothesis (H1): Cladophora mats contribute to the background level of indicator organisms at recreational beaches. Objective 2: Determine if populations of E. coli found in Cladophora mats (both floating and on-shore) are transient or clonally derived. Underlying hypothesis (H2): Cladophora mats provide a suitable environment for the long-term survival and replication of E. coli. Objective 3: Determine if Cladophora mats harbor pathogenic microorganisms (Campylobacter, Salmonella, and Shigella) in higher densities and frequencies than surrounding lake water. Underlying hypothesis (H3): Cladophora mats provide an environment that leads to increased/prolonged survival and growth of potential bacterial pathogens in lake water. METHODOLOGY: Spatial and temporal effects of the mats will be evaluated by determining E. coli concentrations within mats and along transects out from mats. E. coli isolates will be recovered from mats and established microbial source-tracking repPCR methodologies will be used to determine if populations of E. coli associated with free-floating and on-shore Cladophora mats are transient or clonal. This will allow for determination of diversity within E. coli populations at various sites and throughout the sampling season. This has great implications for beach managers. Salmonella, Shigella, and Campylobacter concentrations will be determined from water and mats using standard microbiological methods. RATIONALE: Closure of beaches along the Great Lakes for microbial
contamination has occurred since enactment of the BEACH Act (2000).
Source tracking of the microbial contaminants is necessary to better
understand and remediate contaminations. The nuisance algae, Cladophora,
have been suggested as a source of nutritionally rich and protective
habitats for contaminating bacteria. This study will determine if Cladophora
mats are associated with beach closures and can act as a source of contaminating
microbes in beach water. This potential algal effect has great implications
for beach managers and municipalities. The proposed interdisciplinary
project offers several potential applications and benefits to numerous
communities and beach managers around the Great Lakes (and many coastal
areas) , and specifically in Wisconsin. The information gained as a
result of this project will be of use to the WI DNR, USEPA, USGS, and
numerous local communities battling increased Cladophora and increased
beach closures. Specific communities impacted include Door and Kewaunee
Counties, and virtually all communities on the Lake Michigan shoreline.
The major industry impacted is the $12+ billion/year tourism industry
in Wisconsin, as well as the Great Lakes-wide tourism industry. While
this project will focus on a Great Lakes system, it is anticipated that
this project will serve as a model for other communities having lakes
with increased levels of green algae. Project Locations
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