Great Lakes Beach, Tributary, and Nearshore Water Quality
Hydrologic and Hydrodynamic Data and Model Assimilation
Part of J.P. the Smithe's Webpage Portfolio
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is nearshore water?
- What are fecal indicator bacteria (FIB)?
- Do you know where FIB are coming from?
- How do you analyze water samples for E. Coli?
- What is the difference between routine sampling and storm event sampling?
- What is a pollutant fate and transport model?
- What is a hydrodynamic model?
- Why do you need to collect and analyze water samples if you can predict water quality?
- Are you working with the health department?
- How is your project different from what the health department is doing?
- Could your data indicate dangerous swimming conditions?
- How often are your data updated?
What is nearshore water?
Nearshore water is typically defined to extend from the shoreline offshore to the depth at which the thermocline rests on the bottom of the lake in late summer/early fall (i.e. the depth at which the water warms clear through to the lake bottom; approx 20-30meters depth). It is the place which the terrestrial watershed directly interacts with the lake (or ocean).
Nearshore water is typically defined to extend from the shoreline offshore to the depth at which the thermocline rests on the bottom of the lake in late summer/early fall (i.e. the depth at which the water warms clear through to the lake bottom; approx 20-30meters depth). It is the place which the terrestrial watershed directly interacts with the lake (or ocean).
What are fecal indicator bacteria (FIB)?
Fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) are bacteria such as E. coli and Entercoccus, which live in the gut of warm blooded animals and are introduced into the environment through fecal matter. Most FIB are harmless to humans. The presence of FIB indicates that pathogens also found in fecal matter, which are harmful to humans, may also be present.
Fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) are bacteria such as E. coli and Entercoccus, which live in the gut of warm blooded animals and are introduced into the environment through fecal matter. Most FIB are harmless to humans. The presence of FIB indicates that pathogens also found in fecal matter, which are harmful to humans, may also be present.
Where do FIB come from?
Fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) could be coming from a number of different sources. FIB is found in the fecal matter of warm blooded animals. It can be introduced to the environment in a number of ways including, but not limited to, wildlife, livestock, leaking septic systems, and combined sewer overflows (CSOs). There are molecular methods, collectively referred to as bacterial source tracking, which allow scientists to determine if the bacteria are from human or non-human sources. Depending on the specificity of the method it is possible to determine the specific animal (cow, pig, geese, etc.). Our team does not conduct any source tracking.
Fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) could be coming from a number of different sources. FIB is found in the fecal matter of warm blooded animals. It can be introduced to the environment in a number of ways including, but not limited to, wildlife, livestock, leaking septic systems, and combined sewer overflows (CSOs). There are molecular methods, collectively referred to as bacterial source tracking, which allow scientists to determine if the bacteria are from human or non-human sources. Depending on the specificity of the method it is possible to determine the specific animal (cow, pig, geese, etc.). Our team does not conduct any source tracking.
How do you analyze water samples for E. Coli?
| We quantify the concentration of E. Coli for this project using both membrane filtration and IDEXX Colilert methods. Membrane filtration allows for the quantification of E. Coli in a water sample by growing the organism on selective media which encourages E. Coli growth yet prevents the growth of other organisms. Each E. Coli organism in the water sample grows into a colony which is then counted. |
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The IDEXX Colilert method detects E. Coli when the organism metabolizes a nutrient indicator (MUG) using a unique enzyme (β-galactosidase) causing it to fluoresce. Results are reported by indicating the most probable number (MPN) of organisms present in every 100mL of water. After dissolving the nutrient indicator in the sample, it is poured into a special tray with a number of depressions, or 'wells'. The MPN is based on the number of E. Coli positive wells viewed under long-wave UV light (365nm). |
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What is the difference between routine sampling and rainfall event sampling?
Routine samples are samples collected on 'regular' days. These samples are collected, typically weekly, as part of a regular schedule. Rainfall event sampling is sampling which occurs very shortly after it rains (typically within 24 hours). We collect rainfall event samples because we anticipate more bacteria to wash off the landscape into the river immediately following a rain than it would on routine day.
Routine samples are samples collected on 'regular' days. These samples are collected, typically weekly, as part of a regular schedule. Rainfall event sampling is sampling which occurs very shortly after it rains (typically within 24 hours). We collect rainfall event samples because we anticipate more bacteria to wash off the landscape into the river immediately following a rain than it would on routine day.
What is a pollutant fate and transport model?
A pollutant fate and transport model allows us to simulate and predict the process by which bacteria accumulates on the landscape and washes off into nearby rivers or lakes. By doing so, it tells us how much bacteria is entering the river or late on any given day. We do this using rainfall, estimating the number of wildlife and leaking septic systems in the watershed, and accounting for the lifespan of the bacteria in different conditions.
A pollutant fate and transport model allows us to simulate and predict the process by which bacteria accumulates on the landscape and washes off into nearby rivers or lakes. By doing so, it tells us how much bacteria is entering the river or late on any given day. We do this using rainfall, estimating the number of wildlife and leaking septic systems in the watershed, and accounting for the lifespan of the bacteria in different conditions.
What is a hydrodynamic model?
A hydrodynamic computer model is a tool that simulates the physical environment of the water body, describing the motion and the energy of the water to predict aspects such as currents, temperatures, and water level fluctuations. The hydrodynamic model uses information from meteorologic information (wind speed/direction, air temperature, cloud cover, dewpoint temperature, solar radiation) and connected tributaries (inflows/outflows) to make these predictions.
A hydrodynamic computer model is a tool that simulates the physical environment of the water body, describing the motion and the energy of the water to predict aspects such as currents, temperatures, and water level fluctuations. The hydrodynamic model uses information from meteorologic information (wind speed/direction, air temperature, cloud cover, dewpoint temperature, solar radiation) and connected tributaries (inflows/outflows) to make these predictions.
Why do you need to collect and analyze water samples if you can predict water quality?
We need to collect and analyze water samples in order to confirm that our models are working well. The closer the model can predict to what we observed the better. We can't be sure the modeling is working unless we have 'observed' results to compare it too.
We need to collect and analyze water samples in order to confirm that our models are working well. The closer the model can predict to what we observed the better. We can't be sure the modeling is working unless we have 'observed' results to compare it too.
Are you working with the health department?
We work with the health department to the extent that we communicate regularly to share data and project updates as well as to discuss overlapping/related nearshore water quality topics. We do not actively work on the same projects. Although we share the same overarching goal to protect public health, we play two distinct, yet equally important, roles.
We work with the health department to the extent that we communicate regularly to share data and project updates as well as to discuss overlapping/related nearshore water quality topics. We do not actively work on the same projects. Although we share the same overarching goal to protect public health, we play two distinct, yet equally important, roles.
How is your project different from what the health department is doing?
Our project is related to the work of the health department however it is distinctly different as well. The role of local health departments (among its many responsibilities) is to monitor the swimming areas and determine if advisories or closures should be posted. Rather than to determine if water is safe for public recreations (such as swimming), the goal of our project is to develop decision support tools for use by beach managers and public health officials who are responsible for posting beach advisories and closures.
Our project is related to the work of the health department however it is distinctly different as well. The role of local health departments (among its many responsibilities) is to monitor the swimming areas and determine if advisories or closures should be posted. Rather than to determine if water is safe for public recreations (such as swimming), the goal of our project is to develop decision support tools for use by beach managers and public health officials who are responsible for posting beach advisories and closures.
Could your data indicate dangerous swimming conditions?
The monitoring data we are gathering as part of this project is for research purposes only. It is not intended to determine if the water is dangerous to swim in. Please visit the Recreational Water Quality Regulation: Federal Guidance and State Standards section on the background page of this site to learn where you can access beach advisory and closure information for your local area.
The monitoring data we are gathering as part of this project is for research purposes only. It is not intended to determine if the water is dangerous to swim in. Please visit the Recreational Water Quality Regulation: Federal Guidance and State Standards section on the background page of this site to learn where you can access beach advisory and closure information for your local area.
How often are your data updated?
This project is no longer active and has not been since the close of the season in 2014. The 2014 sampling season was complete as of 10/8/2014.
