Impacts of Atmospheric and Anthropogenic Factors on Microbiological Pollution of the Recreational Coastal Beaches Neighboring Shipping Ports.

A comparative study of the two northeastern ports of the Adriatic Sea indicated that the port of Rijeka is microbiologically more loaded than the port of Pula and posing a greater threat to other ports through a potential transfer of pathogens by ballast water. Fecal indicator bacteria, Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci, were investigated seasonally in 2014-2015 in the ports and during the bathing season monitoring in the two bays where ports are located in 2009-2020. In addition, the indicators and pathogens related to human health were determined in the ports' seawater and sediment. The determined factors contributing to microbiological pollution were higher number of tourists and locals, potential wastewater and ballast water discharge and enclosed port configuration, with high solar radiation and low precipitation reducing the negative effects. Our research points to the necessity of including Clostridium perfringens in monitoring beach sand during the bathing seasons and a wider list of pathogens in port monitoring due to a potential transfer by shipping ballast water.

Status of faecal pollution in ports: A basin-wide investigation in the Adriatic Sea.

Ports are subject to a variety of anthropogenic impacts, and there is mounting evidence of faecal contamination through several routes. Yet, little is known about pollution in ports by faecal indicator bacteria (FIB). FIB spatio-temporal dynamics were assessed in 12 ports of the Adriatic Sea, a semi-enclosed basin under strong anthropogenic pressure, and their relationships with environmental variables were explored to gain insight into pollution sources. FIB were abundant in ports, often more so than in adjacent areas; their abundance patterns were related to salinity, oxygen, and nutrient levels. In addition, a molecular method, quantitative (q)PCR, was used to quantify FIB. qPCR enabled faster FIB determination and water quality monitoring that culture-based methods. These data provide robust baseline evidence of faecal contamination in ports and can be used to improve the management of routine port activities (dredging and ballast water exchange), having potential to spread pathogens in the sea.

Performance characteristics of the temperature-modified ISO 9308-1 method for the enumeration of Escherichia coli in marine and inland bathing waters.

This study defines performance characteristics of the temperature-modified ISO 9308-1 method for E. coli enumeration in bathing water. After a 4-hour resuscitation period at 36 ±â€¯2 °C, the incubation temperature was changed to 44 ±â€¯0.5 °C. Elevated incubation temperature significantly suppressed the growth of thermo-intolerant bacteria, and enhanced the selectivity of Chromogenic Coliform Agar (CCA) up to 49.5% for inland and up to 66.0% for coastal water. Consequently, most of the selectivity-related performance characteristics are improved. Relative recovery was determined by comparing an alternative method against the reference, ISO 9308-1:2014 method, following the criteria set out in ISO 17994:2014. Temperature modification did not significantly alter the results and the methods were evaluated as "not different" for both, coastal and inland waters. Chromogenic Coliform Agar was assessed as a suitable medium for reliable E. coli enumeration in bathing water when incubated for 17-19 h at 44 ±â€¯0.5 °C after the 4-5 h resuscitation period at 36 ±â€¯2 °C.