Fecal Bacteria Contamination of Floodwaters and a Coastal Waterway From Tidally-Driven Stormwater Network Inundation.

Inundation of coastal stormwater networks by tides is widespread due to sea-level rise (SLR). The water quality risks posed by tidal water rising up through stormwater infrastructure (pipes and catch basins), out onto roadways, and back out to receiving water bodies is poorly understood but may be substantial given that stormwater networks are a known source of fecal contamination. In this study, we (a) documented temporal variation in concentrations of Enterococcus spp. (ENT), the fecal indicator bacteria standard for marine waters, in a coastal waterway over a 2-month period and more intensively during two perigean spring tide periods, (b) measured ENT concentrations in roadway floodwaters during tidal floods, and (c) explained variation in ENT concentrations as a function of tidal inundation, antecedent rainfall, and stormwater infrastructure using a pipe network inundation model and robust linear mixed effect models. We find that ENT concentrations in the receiving waterway vary as a function of tidal stage and antecedent rainfall, but also site-specific characteristics of the stormwater network that drains to the waterway. Tidal variables significantly explain measured ENT variance in the waterway, however, runoff drove higher ENT concentrations in the receiving waterway. Samples of floodwaters on roadways during both perigean spring tide events were limited, but all samples exceeded the threshold for safe public use of recreational waters. These results indicate that inundation of stormwater networks by tides could pose public health hazards in receiving water bodies and on roadways, which will likely be exacerbated in the future due to continued SLR.

Stress, coping, and success among graduate students in clinical psychology.

Research has indicated that coping styles and social support are moderating variables in the relationship between stress and distress. Few studies, however, have examined the relationship between these variables and the relative health and success of graduate students in clinical psychology. We administered measures of stress, psychological health, social support, and coping styles to 53 doctoral students in clinical psychology. Current grade point averages were used as a measure of academic success. We hypothesized that more successful students would likely be healthier and report less stress, more social support, and utilization of more positive and less negative coping styles. Results generally supported the hypothesis. Unexpected findings were that more successful students were likely to be women and to report increased use of focus on and venting of emotion as a coping style, increased utilization of medical care, and increased stress regarding scholastic coursework.