The ocean is inhabited by many and loved by all. Whether you surf the waves or use it for recreational purposes, its important to us all. There are dangers to the ocean that anyone who bathes in it should be aware of. Besides the obvious dangers of the current and the pounding waves, there are possible microscopic enemies at large. Every year the beaches are closed for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it may be for a surfing contest, or if the waves are too dangerous, but the most overlooked may be ocean contaminants. Around 20% of ocean water pollution occurs naturally. Its important for the public to aware of the contaminants that reach our waters and how they get there.

OCEAN CONTAMINANTS FROM HUMAN ACTIVITIES

Viruses in the ocean, as products of human activities, are potentially dangerous contaminants of many coastal waters. Total coliform bacteria are a collection of relatively harmless microorganisms that live in large numbers in the intestines of man and warm- and cold-blooded animals. They aid in the digestion of food. A specific subgroup of this collection is the fecal coliform bacteria, the most common member being Escherichia coli or E.Coli. These organisms may be separated from the total coliform group by their ability to grow at elevated temperatures and are associated only with the fecal material or warm-blooded animals. Fecal Coliform is the bacterium that forms in water from fece of humans and other warm-blooded animals. These types of feces can enter directly by animals, such as birds, by discharging into river. Feces also enter water by agricultural and storm run off carrying animal waste, and human sewage discharge.(www.stale.ky.us) The presence of fecal coliform bacteria in aquatic environments indicates that the water has been contaminated with the fecal material of man or other animals. Fecal coliform is not dangerous itself. Its the pathogens that may be found along with fecal coliform that is harmful. Human pathogenic viruses are not only found in the millions of gallons of variously treated human wastes dumped directly into coastal waters from sewage outfalls, but also from runoff from numberous storm drain sewers. Fecal coliform measures are important because they can help determine the probability of contracting a disease from the water. So, the more fecal coliform, the higher the probability of a disease causing bacteria being found in the water. Although the ocean offers relatively rapid dilution of treated sewage, reports indicate that coliform bacteria standards are not adequate for predicting viruses in the water at bathing beaches. At this time, viruses are not routinely monitored at beaches and waters near outfalls. So, what are the impacts of human pathogenic viruses on urban populations and the coastal ocean environments?(project.sertec.org)

PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERNS

There are many programs, such as the USC Sea Grant Program and the Teach and Test program by the Surfrider foundation that supports investigations of biological processes related to sewage input into the coastal waters. Research has focused mainly on the dangers represented by elevated levels of human bacteria and viruses. Bacteriological tests for total human fecal coliforms are performed routinely lifeguards along the entire shoreline on the Santa Monica Bay.(www.stale.ky.us) Los Angeles beaches are some of the most strictly regulated and most often tested in the country. Because of the rigorous caution exercised in Los Angeles to avoid exposure of bathers to coliforms. Los Angeles Beaches experience more closures per year than nearly any other. However, according to health director, "This is mostly due to the very cautious approach of the sanitation districts, to give priority to protecting public health." (projects.sertec.org) In the past, miles of Southern California's popular coastline have been closed due to ocean contamination. Such as in 1992, five miles of beaches were closed due to high levels of coliform bacteria, an indication of untreated sewage. When people swim they generally get water in their nose and mouth. HUman waste can carry disease organism, and that's how you can get fecal-oral disorders. Symptoms of exposure to coliform bacteria are diarrhea, nausea, headaches, fatigue and jaundice. This was due to a sewage leak or backup because it was in the middle of summer. Sewage spills are most likely to occur in rainy weather when sewers overflow than in the dead of summer. One of the most devastating sewage spills recorded in Southern California occurred in February 2, 1992. One of San Diego's main underwater-sewage pipe ruptured about two-thirds of a mile offshore. The pipe spewed into coastal waters each day until it was patched April 4, 1992. The spill forced a 10 week quarantine of more than 20 miles of beaches from San Diego's Mission Bay to the Mexican Border.(Smith,1992)

IMPACTS OF "El NINO"

Everyone in Southern California has heard of the "El Nino" weather conditions this 1997 and 1998 winter has experience. El Nino, also called the "El Nino-Southern Oscillation" or ENSO, is a change in the ocean atmosphere system in the eastern Pacific which contributes to significant weather changes around the world. El Nino is characterized by a reversal of the trade winds. During El Nino the winds blow from east to west and travel along the surface of the ocean bringing warm water. The changes in the ocean temperature also affects the atmosphere. The hot and humid air over the oceans fuels tropical thunderstorms. The hotter the air, the stronger the thunderstorms. El Nino basically changes the position of the jet stream winds resulting in unusual weather patterns around the world. El Nino has brought a wonderful snow season, it has also brought devastating effects such as flooding, mudslides, and coastal erosion.(www.enn.com) What people may not be aware of is the overflow of the storm drains and the sewage that is being spilled into the local beaches. Just this past February 20 million gallons of waste leaked into the coastal waters. With the sewage spills from the rainstorms the smell, waste, and a number of health problems. The beaches from Malibu to Palo Verdes were closed. On an average the beaches are closed about four times a year. So far this year the beaches have been closed ten time already, and experts are predicting there is more to come. During normal rains the ocean waters are unhealthy until around 72 hours after last rain. With these new sewage spills in the coastal waters the time needed to dilute it is much longer. With each storm coming one after another it makes it very difficult for the ocean to purify itself. Many viruses may be present during this time. The elevated temperatures may also aid to the ability of total coliform to grow.(www.stale.ky.us) However, we know very little about human viruses in the marine environment. It is recognized that waterborne human pathogenic viruses, such as Hepatitis A, poliovirus, echovirus, and, possibly HIV, represent serious potential problems. Certain programs, such as Sea Grant, are trying to understand the distribution of and the factors which control the breakdown of human viruses.

In an area like Los Angeles, addressing questions about viruses is very important, especially when beach-going and marine recreation are very during the "rainy" season in Los Angeles. Due to surface runoff during these heavy rains large amounts of untreated human waste and even animal waste drain into the ocean. Most of the public is either unaware or just don't care of the possible dangers that are in the coastal waters during certain times. Viruses and bacteria, as products of human activities, are potentially dangerous to all of us. It is important that the public is aware of the dangers that exist. If the public is aware of water quality issues that could affect them simple measures could be taken to avoid them.

REFERENCES

Smith, leef. "Ocean Contaminants Keep California Beaches Closed". Washington Post, v.115 (Tue, August 18, 1992) A3, Col 5. 11 col in.

INTERNET

http://projects.sertec.org/~kanern/stream/chemica/febg.shtml
http://www.stale.ky.us/nrepc/water/wcpfrol.htm
http://www.enn.com/specialreports/elnino/what.htm

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