Fate of Pathogens in Stormwater Plumes

Abstract
Modern tools for management of recreational waters include field monitoring, laboratory analyses and computer modeling. A case study of a brackish receiving water body subjected to periodic discharges of contaminated stormwater runoff is presented to illustrate the field and laboratory support that is needed to develop a numerical model. Field sampling protocols and laboratory procedures are outlined and the results are presented in the form required for a numerical model. Results conclusively showed that pathogen counts are strongly correlated to storm-generated flows. It was also found that fine sediment is a significant transporting medium for pathogen indicators. A discussion of the implications of these studies on numerical modeling is presented. A simple dilution model is introduced as a screening level model for shoreline contamination due to attached plumes from relatively wide storm drainage canals.
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