

@article {2459,
	title = {{Fecal indicator bacteria are abundant in wet sand at freshwater beaches}},
	journal = {Water Research},
	volume = {37},
	number = {16},
	year = {2003},
	pages = {3978{\textendash}3982},
	abstract = {<p>Potential fecal contamination of sand in the wave-washed zone of public bathing beaches is overlooked in beach monitoring programs. Activity in this zone can bring pathogens to the sand surface or into the water, presenting a health risk to sensitive populations. On a unit weight basis (colony forming units per 100g), the mean summer abundance of the fecal indicator bacteria enterococci and Escherichia coli was 3-38 times higher in the top 20 cm of wet-sand cores than in the water column at six freshwater bathing beaches. E. coli were 4 times more abundant than enterococci in water but counts were similar in the sand. A correlation (r=0.60) existed between E. coli counts in the water and in the top 5 cm of sand only, whereas no relationship existed between enterococci abundance in water and sand. In general, enterococci were most numerous in the 5-10 cm sand stratum and E. coli in the 0-5 cm stratum. These preliminary data show that wet freshwater beach sand is a reservoir of fecal indicator bacteria. Enteric pathogens may also be present in beach sand.</p>
},
	isbn = {0043-1354 (Print) 0043-1354 (Linking)},
	author = {Wheeler, A.E. and Burke, J and Spain, A}
}
