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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of environmental research and public health 2022-07, Vol.19 (14), p.8552
Main Authors: Kraus, Romina, Baljak, Vanja, Vukić Lušić, Darija, Kranjčević, Lado, Cenov, Arijana, Glad, Marin, Kauzlarić, Vesna, Lušić, Dražen, Grbčić, Luka, Alvir, Marta, Pećarević, Marijana, Jozić, Slaven
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anthropogenic factors
Atmospheric pressure
Ballast
Bathing
Beaches
Coasts
Coliforms
Comparative studies
E coli
Environmental health
Fecal coliforms
Human influences
Microbial contamination
Microorganisms
Monitoring
Pathogens
Pollution
Ports
Quality control
Recreation
Sea level
Seawater
Sediments
Solar radiation
Wastewater
Wastewater discharges
Water discharge
Water quality
Water treatment
Wind
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Summary: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.
ISSN:1660-4601
1661-7827
1660-4601
DOI:10.3390/ijerph19148552