The capacity of the Gunderboom® in Mamaroneck Harbor on the reduction of E. coli and coliform bacteria from water and soft-shelled clams (Mya arenaria)
Title:
The capacity of the Gunderboom® in Mamaroneck Harbor on the reduction of E. coli and coliform bacteria from water and soft-shelled clams (Mya arenaria)
Author:
Yeung-Cheung, Anna K. Melendez, Nadilynn J.
Appeared in:
Journal of environmental science and health. Part A, Toxic/hazardous substances & environmental engineering
Paging:
Volume 42 (2007) nr. 2 pages 143-148
Year:
2007-02
Contents:
Harbor Island Park of Mamaroneck Harbor is one of the beaches that has been frequently closed to the public due to unsanitary swimming conditions. In 2002, a Gunderboom® BPS™(Beach Protection System) was reinstalled in Harbor Island Park to lower bacterial levels in swimming areas. The first Gunderboom® had been destroyed by an oil spill several years before. The current Gunderboom® is an 800 foot curtain made of a treated polypropylene/polyester fabric and the company claims a 99.1% coliform reduction with its use. In this study, water inside and outside the Gunderboom® was tested weekly from June to August 2005, and bi-weekly from September to December 2005. Coliscan® Membrane Filtration plates were used to recover the relative amounts of Escherichia coli and coliform bacteria from the water. Soft-shelled clams (Mya arenaria) living in both these areas were also tested for their E. coli and coliform bacteria level using 3M Petrifilm™ plates. Water was also tested from Hudson Park in New Rochelle, a frequently closed beach due to high levels of coliform bacteria, as well as from Read Sanctuary in Rye, a “pristine” beach. Our results showed the amount of E. coli and coliform bacteria recovered from the water inside the Gunderboom® were significantly lower (P < 0.05) compared to outside the Gunderboom® and Hudson Park. There was 81.9% reduction in E. coli and 51.6% reduction in coliform bacteria inside the Gunderboom® as compared to the outside. In addition, significant differences (P < 0.05) were found with lower numbers of E. coli and coliform bacteria recovered from the clams inside the Gunderboom® compared to outside the Gunderboom®. In conclusion, the Gunderboom® system installed in Mamaroneck Harbor resulted in a significant reduction of E. coli and coliform bacteria in the water and clam samples, thus proving its efficiency as a water filter.
Journal description