Identification of the Sources of Pathogens in Wetland Sediments and Their Influence on Beach Water Quality

Funded by: NOAA and GA DNR Georgia Coastal Management Program, $233,242.00), (October 2014-October 2015). Indicator bacteria concept has been a powerful tool for beach monitoring but has its own limitations when tested at beaches affected by non-point sources. State of the art microbial source tracking (MST) techniques (i.e. quantitative PCR and sequencing) will be used to determine whether these source(s) are of anthropogenic or natural origin, such as recent contamination caused by sewage, persistent pollution due to resuspension from sediments or wildlife. The technology used in this project will bridge a critical knowledge gap in Georgia and provide information necessary for making more informed planning and resource management decisions to develop, maintain and use such beaches.