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

Citation

Quilliam R, Jamieson J & Oliver D (2014) Seaweeds and plastic debris can influence the survival of faecal indicator organisms in beach environments. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 84 (1-2), pp. 201-207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.05.011

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

Journal
Marine Pollution Bulletin: Volume 84, Issue 1-2