Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2009HI243B

Assessing the Influence of Land-Based Discharges (Streams, Storm Drain, and Groundwater) on the Concentrations and Ratio of Four Human Pathogenic Marine Vibrio spp. in Four Categories of Coastal Water Environments of Hawai�i

Institute: Hawaii
Year Established: 2009 Start Date: 2009-03-01 End Date: 2011-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $39,712 Total Non-Federal Funds: $78,998

Principal Investigators: Roger Fujioka, Roger Fujioka

Abstract: Vibrios are indigenous marine bacteria capable of causing disease in both marine animals and humans. The four main human pathogens, V. vulnificus, V. cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus and V. alginolyticus, can cause mild to severe gastroenteritis, septicemia and wound infections. Several infections from V. vulnificus and V. cholerae have occurred in Hawaii as well as two recent deaths due to V. vulnificus. The goal of this study is to determine the influence of land based discharges (streams, storm drains, groundwater) on the concentrations and ratio of four human pathogenic Vibrio spp. (V. vulnificus, V. cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus, V. alginolyticus) in four categories of coastal water environments that are used for contact recreational purposes. Selective media will be used to determine concentrations, and biochemical assays and molecular methods will be used to confirm the identities of Vibrio isolates. Various water quality parameters (salinity, pH, conductivity, turbidity) as well as a nutrient marker will be used as indicators of coastal water contamination by land-based discharges. Data obtained from this study may possibly be used as a predictor of risk of Vibrio infection to people who use these coastal waters for recreation or as a source of seafood.