Affiliation:
1. Lake Michigan Ecological Research Station, United States Geological Survey, Porter, Indiana 46304
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Dunes Creek, a small Lake Michigan coastal stream that drains sandy aquifers and wetlands of Indiana Dunes, has chronically elevated
Escherichia coli
levels along the bathing beach near its outfall. This study sought to understand the sources of
E. coli
in Dunes Creek's central branch. A systematic survey of random and fixed sampling points of water and sediment was conducted over 3 years.
E. coli
concentrations in Dunes Creek and beach water were significantly correlated. Weekly monitoring at 14 stations during 1999 and 2000 indicated chronic loading of
E. coli
throughout the stream. Significant correlations between
E. coli
numbers in stream water and stream sediment, submerged sediment and margin, and margin and 1 m from shore were found. Median
E. coli
counts were highest in stream sediments, followed by bank sediments, sediments along spring margins, stream water, and isolated pools; in forest soils,
E. coli
counts were more variable and relatively lower. Sediment moisture was significantly correlated with
E. coli
counts. Direct fecal input inadequately explains the widespread and consistent occurrence of
E. coli
in the Dunes Creek watershed; long-term survival or multiplication or both seem likely. The authors conclude that (i)
E. coli
is ubiquitous and persistent throughout the Dunes Creek basin, (ii)
E. coli
occurrence and distribution in riparian sediments help account for the continuous loading of the bacteria in Dunes Creek, and (iii) ditching of the stream, increased drainage, and subsequent loss of wetlands may account for the chronically high
E. coli
levels observed.
Publisher
American Society for Microbiology
Subject
Ecology,Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology,Food Science,Biotechnology
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