Temporal and spatial variability of fecal indicator bacteria in the surf zone off Huntington Beach, CA. Rosenfeld et al. (2006) Mar. Env. Res. 61:471-493

Sampled 3 types of fecal indicators bacteria (FIB) on the shore and surf zone (shore and ship-based) between July 1, 1998 and December 31, 2001. The objective was to determine the temporal and spatial dynamics of FIB “events” along the shore using high-frequency (space-time) sampling protocols

Data collection:

- Spatial scales:

Shore-based:

17 mandatory +1 stations (18) along Huntington Beach extending 11.9 km north and south of the Santa Ana river (SAR) and separated by 914.4 or 1828.8 m ( ~ one station every 1.4 km)

Ship-based:

11 stations along the surf zone coinciding with shore based samples but over 11.9 km ( ~ one station every 1.08 km)

- Temporal scales:

Shore-based:

During the late springs-summers of 1998-2001 samples collected 5 days/week including one weekend (one sample every 1.4 days)

November 1999 to March 2000 samples two days a week (every 3.5 days)

September-October 1999 samples collected 7 days a week (every day)

remainder of the period samples collected 3 days a week (every 2.3 days)

Ship-based:

late Spring and summer 2001 six 48 h surveys samples collected hourly (24 samples a day)

Biological response (bacterial events):

California Health and Safety Code mandates beach closures when FIB exceed a standard (AB411) which we call a bacterial event.

- Spatial scales:

More common North of the SAR (~ 11.9 km) and over two small and contiguous areas (~ 4.6 km)

-Temporal scales:

cell division is ~30'

semidiurnal cycle (every 0.5 days)

tidal (fortnightly) cycles (60% probability to occur on any spring tide day ~ 14 days)

Institutional response (beach closures):

- Spatial scales:

Orange county (county scale)

Huntington Beach (~ 10 km)

Posted (~ 60 m, 150 sampling stations in OC)

- Temporal scales:

from April to October

30-day geometric mean

from 1 to 5 days/week (may switch to daily adaptively)

Economic response:

- Spatial scales:

Not specified

- Temporal scales:

Not specified