Seaweeds and plastic debris can influence the survival of faecal indicator organisms in beach environments

Richard S. Quilliam, Julie Jamieson, David M. Oliver, Seaweeds and
plastic debris can influence the survival of faecal indicator organisms
in beach environments, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Available online 27
May 2014, ISSN 0025-326X, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.05.011.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X14002896)
Abstract: The revised Bathing Water Directive (rBWD) introduces more
stringent standards for microbial water quality and promotes more
pro-active management of the beach environment through the production of
a bathing water profile (BWP). The aim of this study was to determine
whether living seaweeds in the littoral zone are colonised by faecal
indicator organisms (FIOs), and to quantify the survival dynamics of
waterborne Escherichia coli in microcosms containing senescing seaweeds.
Living seaweed (Fucus spiralis) was not associated with FIO
colonisation, although could be providing a protected environment in the
underlying sand. Senescing seaweeds enhanced waterborne E. coli survival
compared to plastic debris, with the brown seaweed Laminaria saccharina
facilitating greater E. coli persistence than either Chondrus crispus or
Ulva lactuca. This has important implications for FIO survival on
bathing beaches as the majority of beach-cast biomass is composed of
brown seaweeds, which could support significant levels of FIOs.
Keywords: Beach grooming; FIO; revised Bathing Water Directive (rBWD);
Waterborne pathogens; Wrack

Seaweeds and plastic debris can influence the survival of faecal indicator organisms in beach environments