Septic system–groundwater–surface water couplings in waterfront communities contribute to harmful algal blooms in Southwest Florida

Brewton, Rachel A.; Kreiger, Lisa B.; Tyre, Kevin N.; Baladi, Diana; Wilking, Lynn Elizabeth; Herren, Laura W.; Lapointe, Brian E.

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155319

Cited by 19 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 108 publications

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“…Malfunctioning septic tanks were suspected to be the source of nutrients. Brewton et al ( 2022 ) applied δ 15 N and δ 13 C isotope tracing, elemental composition of particulate matter (C:N:P), a panel of nutrients, chemical tracers, cultivation-based FIO and human-, bird-, and gull-associated MST markers to tackle the complex challenge. These multiple lines of evidence pointed to a link between septic systems, groundwater, and surface water, ultimately resulting in harmful algal blooms.…”

Section: In-depth Review Of the Application Areas Of Genetic Faecal P...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These multiple lines of evidence pointed to a link between septic systems, groundwater, and surface water, ultimately resulting in harmful algal blooms. Additionally, chemical tracers and bird- and gull-associated MST markers indicated rainfall runoff to be a contributing factor (Brewton et al 2022 ). The Changle River catchment in China has a high human population, intensive livestock farming (swine), and agricultural activities, all of which potentially contribute to the high nutrient levels of the river.…”

Section: In-depth Review Of the Application Areas Of Genetic Faecal P...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Have genetic targets for faecal pollution diagnostics and source tracking revolutionized water quality analysis yet?

Demeter

Linke

Reischer

et al. 2023

FEMS Microbiology Reviews

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The impacts on faecal pollution analysis using nucleic acid-based methods, such as PCR and sequencing, in health-related water quality research were assessed by rigorous literature analysis. A wide range of application areas and study designs has been identified since the first application more than 30 years ago (>1,100 publications). Given the consistency of methods and assessment types, we suggest defining this emerging part of science as a new discipline: genetic faecal pollution diagnostics (GFPD) in health-related microbial water quality analysis. Undoubtedly, GFPD has already revolutionised faecal pollution detection and microbial source tracking, the current core applications. GFPD is also expanding to many other research areas, including infection and health risk assessment, evaluation of microbial water treatment, and support of wastewater surveillance. In addition, storage of DNA extracts allows for biobanking, which opens up new perspectives. The tools of GFPD can be combined with cultivation-based standardised faecal indicator enumeration, pathogen detection, and various environmental data types, in an integrated data analysis approach. This comprehensive meta-analysis provides the scientific status quo of this field, including trend analyses and literature statistics, outlining identified application areas, and discussing the benefits and challenges of nucleic acid-based analysis in GFPD.

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Section: In-depth Review Of the Application Areas Of Genetic Faecal P...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: In-depth Review Of the Application Areas Of Genetic Faecal P...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Have genetic targets for faecal pollution diagnostics and source tracking revolutionized water quality analysis yet?

Demeter

Linke

Reischer

et al. 2023

FEMS Microbiology Reviews

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…This is evidenced by below detection concentrations of NH 3 . The maximum groundwater NH 3 concentration observed in this study during the fully operational phase (0.035 mg/L) is in stark contrast to the higher concentrations of groundwater NH 3 that have been observed in other parts of Florida near septic systems, including the Florida Keys (up to 38.5 mg/L) (Lapointe et al 1990), Jupiter (up to 17.9 mg/L) (Lapointe & Krupa 1995), Martin County (up to 50 mg/L) (Lapointe et al 2017), and North Fort Myers (up to 15.3 mg/L) (Brewton et al 2022). The decreased NH 3 loading has significant environmental implications as many HABs preferentially uptake these forms of N (Glibert et al 2016;Kramer et al 2018;Hampel et al 2019).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 57%

Distributed wastewater treatment offers an environmentally preferable alternative to conventional septic systems in Central Florida

Lapointe

Brewton

Littlejohn³

2022

Water Science and Technology

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Wastewater management is a critical issue globally. In Florida, the importance of this issue is heightened by the proximity to sensitive ecosystems. Distributed Wastewater Treatment Units (DWTU) are a recent, state-approved alternative to septic system conversions to centralized sewer infrastructure. In this study, the performance of a DWTU was tested in at a new residence in Lake Hamilton, FL. A monitoring well was installed downgradient of the DWTU absorption field to establish baseline groundwater conditions prior to occupation of the residence. The residence was occupied, after which groundwater, DWTU influent, and effluent samples were collected. Many effluent parameters significantly decreased compared to influent, including ammonia (NH3; 97%), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN; 95%), total nitrogen (TN; 88%), the TN:TP ratio (84%), fecal coliforms (92%); carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD; 96%), and total suspended solids (TSS; 96%). In the groundwater, nutrient concentrations initially increased compared to the baseline data, but eventually decreased, demonstrating that the DWTU was effective at improving quality of wastewater effluent. These systems could be especially effective in sensitive areas where advanced wastewater treatment has been mandated or is needed.

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“…Lastly, though we have focused on the role of C‐43 watershed runoff and Lake Okeechobee releases on nutrient concentrations in the CRE, it is important to acknowledge that nutrient availability in the CRE is also influenced by inputs from the watershed directly adjacent to the estuary, also referred to as the “tidal basin” (Brewton et al., 2022; Rumbold & Doering, 2020). The relative balance of inputs from the tidal basin, upstream watershed, and Lake Okeechobee defines the nutrient signature of the CRE.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Downstream Nutrient Concentrations Depend on Watershed Inputs More Than Reservoir Releases in a Highly Engineered Watershed

Montefiore,

Kaplan,

Phlips

et al. 2024

Water Resources Research

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In this study, we characterized the impact of regulatory water releases relative to watershed inputs on the quality of receiving waters to identify if and how managed releases could be scheduled to mitigate nutrient export and downstream water quality impairment. We specifically investigated freshwater flow partitioning to the Caloosahatchee River and Estuary (CRE) from a large managed lake, Lake Okeechobee, and the CRE's upstream watershed, the C‐43 basin, in southwest Florida (USA). A water balance was developed to identify dominant freshwater inflow sources (i.e., Lake Okeechobee vs. watershed inputs) over time. From the water balance, analyses of historical trends were performed to detect changes in freshwater inflow contributions to the CRE. Further, seasonal and annual concentration variations and long‐term concentration‐discharge (C‐Q) relationships were analyzed to better understand biogeochemical and hydrological processes in the system in relation to freshwater source. Since 1966, we found the duration and magnitude of flows from the C‐43 basin were higher than those from Lake Okeechobee releases. However, recent increases in the annual water volume and proportion of inflow coming from Lake Okeechobee to the CRE were observed. The C‐Q analysis revealed that nitrate and ammonium concentrations in the CRE were responsive to changes in discharge, while total phosphorus and orthophosphate concentrations were chemostatic. While modifications to the Lake Okeechobee operation schedule could potentially mitigate downstream inorganic nitrogen loading, this potential is limited by complex, seasonal C‐Q relationships and confounding effects from surrounding watersheds.

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Septic system–groundwater–surface water couplings in waterfront communities contribute to harmful algal blooms in Southwest Florida

Cited by 19 publications

References 108 publications

Have genetic targets for faecal pollution diagnostics and source tracking revolutionized water quality analysis yet?

Have genetic targets for faecal pollution diagnostics and source tracking revolutionized water quality analysis yet?

Distributed wastewater treatment offers an environmentally preferable alternative to conventional septic systems in Central Florida

Downstream Nutrient Concentrations Depend on Watershed Inputs More Than Reservoir Releases in a Highly Engineered Watershed

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