4/4/2018 Project funded by Great Lakes Research Consortium

A project, “Using Culture-based, Molecular and Modeling Approaches to Identify Point and Non-Point Sources of Fecal Pollution and Improve Water Quality Predictions at Lake Erie Beaches”, is funded by the Great Lakes Research Consortium. The project’s principal investigators are Dr. Lauren Sassoubre and Dr. Zhenduo Zhu.

Beaches along the Great Lakes provide important opportunities for recreational activities (e.g., swimming, fishing, boating) and are critical for local economics. Microbial pollution at these beaches results in substantial economic loss and poses serious health risks to recreational users and the millions of people whose drinking water is drawn from the Lakes (1). Beach water quality is frequently monitored and beaches are closed to recreational activity when E. coli concentrations exceed (or are predicted to exceed) US EPA criteria. The proposed research will address coastal microbial pollution and beach closures by (1) identifying sources of fecal pollution in Lake Erie and (2) improving models that predict when beaches should be closed to protect public health. To identify sources of fecal pollution, researchers will collect surface waters and groundwater along eastern Lake Erie and use culture-based methods and molecular microbial source tracking assays. To improve predictive models, two new models will be developed and compared to the current model. The proposed research will be conducted with collaborators at New York State Parks and Erie County Department of Health. The end-products will be used to inform remediation efforts to improve water quality and better predict beach closures to protect public health.