CICEET Progress Report for the period 9/01/08 Through 2/15/09

Project Title: Assessment of microbial contaminants pertinent to swimming related illnesses at Doheny Beach, Orange County, CA
Principal Investigator(s): Rachel T. Noble
Additional Investigator(s): Jed Fuhrman, Troy Scott, Jill Stewart (separate budget)
Project Start Date: May 1, 2007

Project Objectives for This Reporting Period
Historically, most epidemiological studies conducted in the recreational waters of the United State have focused on point source fecal contamination, i.e. studies have been conducted on beaches that have a known human sewage source contributing to their water quality degradation. However, the US EPA currently estimates that 60-80% of the impaired waters in the USA are impaired due to non-point source inputs. The current indicator system for monitoring beach water quality is no longer adequate for public health protection, and the US EPA is facing law suits to update regulations. The research supported by this grant has enabled application of novel pathogen detection technology in the 2007 epidemiological studies coordinated by the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP) in consultation with the US EPA. These studies are focused on bathing beaches impacted by nonpoint sources of pollution. In 2007, SCCWRP organized a preliminary methods evaluation study designed to test methods prior to the epidemiological studies. Blind challenge samples were prepared by SCCWRP and sent to investigators. This preliminary study was followed by epidemiological trials at both Doheny State Beach in Orange County, CA then Avalon Beach on Catalina Island, CA. Beach water for microbial analysis was collected concurrent with health surveys targeting bathers and nonbathers visiting these beaches. The ultimate goal of this research is to assess new fecal pollution indicators for predicting swimmer health risk.

Tasks to meet objectives
As of spring 2008, discussions with SCCWRP scientists resulted in their desire for quantification of three specific Enterococcus species (referred to as Enterococcus speciation) for samples from the Doheny and Avalon Epidemiology Studies.

Progress on Tasks
a) conduct Enterococcus speciation
b) conduct data analysis

Have the results/data gathered during this reporting period changed the project objectives when compared to your original proposal? Please explain.
Yes, we did not originally expect to use CICEET resources to conduct the Enterococcus speciation, but given our success with the approach and the interest of SCCWRP scientists in the method we decided to move forward with the analyses.

Dissemination activities during this reporting period (please include the number of participants where applicable).
A manuscript is in preparation for the special issue of Journal of Water Research, with lead author Reagan Converse, the Ph. D. student who conducted these analyses and who has been supported by this project.

Difficulties
None

Data Generated to date
Attached tables provide QPCR data for Enterococcus speciation.

Project Objectives for Next Reporting Period

Objectives
Our contract with CICEET has been extended to March 31 2009, in the time period between September 1 2008 and March 1 2009 we have conducted additional analyses on the epidemiological study samples collected from Doheny and Avalon 2008 and are finalizing data analysis and writing manuscripts.

Work Plan to Meet Objectives
Continue with analyses as described in proposal. PI meetings will occur for data discussions.

Dissemination Objectives for next reporting period
Multiple publications are expected, including one detailing results from the preliminary study, others detailing the microbiological analysis, and a final one including health outcomes from the epidemiological study.

Overall Project Timeline Update
Work appears to be on schedule and the project is being finalized.

Expenditures
All expected billing has taken place from the subcontractors, Furhman and Scott, on this project.

The expenditures are in range. A minor budget modification request was submitted from my Office of Sponsored Research to finalize this project. We expect this project to be finalized and completed on the required date.