Thomas, Terence P.

English

ScholarSpace at University of Hawai'i at Manoa

MARINE PROJECT REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII MARINE OPTION PROGRAM Sewage Pollution ,in Kapoho Tide Pools (preliminary study) Duration of Study September 11 - November 15, 1989 Project Leader Terence P. Thomas Advisors Dr. Walter Dudley Dr. Leon Hal lacher Final Report Date December 5, 1989 --- -- MARINE OPTION i f; '  -. ABSTRACT This is a study to determine the presence and degree of sewage pollution in the tide-pools of Vacationland subdivision, in Kapoho, disrict of Puna, Hawaii Island. The tide-pools in Vacationland subdivision may be prone to sewage contamination due to to groundwater infiltration and subsequent leaching of nearby residents' cesspools. Fecal coliform and enterococci were chosen as biological indi- cators of sewage pollution. Three tide-pools were studied with varying degrees of influence from the open ocean. All three tide-pools show a high degree of sewage pollution posing a serious threat to human health. INTRODUCTION Kapoho, located in the district of Puna Hawail, is thirty kilometers southeast of Hilo at Cape Kumukahi, the eastern-most point of Hawaii Island. Kapoho is the site of several large tide-pools that are frequently used for recreation (swimming, fishing, snorkeling, etc.) by residents and visitors alike. The tide-pools in Vacationland subdivision may be prone to sewage contamination due to groundwater infiltration subsequent leaching of nearby residents' cesspools. Drs. Dudley and Hallacher are currently studying the distributibn and dispersion of sewage pollution in the Hilo Bay area. My project is an ancillary investigation correlating to Dr. Dudley and Dr. Hallacher's project. Sewage pollution poses a serious threat to human health. Many debilitating, even potentially fatal human pathogens can be found in conjunction with sewage pollution including polio, hepatitis, leptospirosis, tuberculosis, and gastroenteritis (Table 1). It has been suggested by Dr Hallacher that certain environmental parameters, such as tide level and recent rainfall, may influence the levels of contamination in the tide-pools. As a means of determining the degree of conta~ .ination, and the influence of environmental conditions in the Kapoho tide- pools, I have collected samples from three tide-pools with varying degrees of direct influence from the open ocean (all of the tide-pools rise and fall regularly with tide level). Samples were collected weekly for a period of ten weeks (September 11, through November 13, 1989). T i d a l  changes and i n  s i t u  measurements o f  water temperature, s a l i n i t y ,  wind speed and d i r e c t i o n ,  and recent  r a i n f a l l ,  as w e l l  as i n - l abo ra to r y  procedures t o  determine the concent ra t ion  o f  f eca l  b a c t e r i a  (en te rococc i  and f eca l  c o l i f o r m ) ,  have been executed accord ing t o  t he  accepted standards and the  r e s u l t s  compiled. .<. Table 1. DISEASES KNOWN TO BE RSSOCIATED WITH UNTREQTED SEWAGE: Amoebic dysentery Salmonella Cholera P o l i o  Staphylococci  i n f e c t i o n  H e p a t i t i s  S h i g e l l o s i s  Enteropathogenic E. Co l i .  i n f e c t i o n s  Lep tosp i ros i s  (Leatosai ra sp.) Tuberculosis and E n t e r i t i s  (Mycobacterium sp. ) [source: Yeager and O'Brien, 19833 -- , Kapoho Point --Vacationland Subdivision f ," Figure 3 MATERIALS AND METHODS Sample locations (tide-pools) were chosen accordinq to their inferred deqree of influence from the open ocean, and relative close proximity to homes (Figure 1). Fecal coliform and enterococci were chosen as biological indicators of sewaqe pollution. These bacteria are associated with the digestive systems of warm-blooded animals (enterococci being specific to humans), and are therefore good indicators of sewage pollution. Fecal coliform are currently the most widely used indicator. To test for these bacteria, samples were collected in pre- sterilized, pre-labeled nalgene bottles and transported on ice to the NBRS (Minority Biomedical Research Station) lab at the University of Hawaii--Hilo for immediate filtration. The samples were filtered using the millapore membrane filtration method as outlined in the EPQ's Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater--Six teen th edi tion--1985. The recovered bacteria were placed in petri dishes on selective media and then incubated. Enterococci were incubated in a dry incubator at 41.5 (c) and cultured on m-E agar for 48 hours. Colonies were identified by their characteristic red coloration and verified in situ on esculin iron agar. Fecal coliform were placed on a recovery media (M-FC broth) in petri dishes and sealed with parafilm. The petri dishes were then placed in heat-sealed bags and incubated in a water bath at 44.5 ( c )  for 24 hours. The colonies in each dish were then identified by their characteristic blue coloration, counted and recorded. For each site 50 m L  (milliliter) and 5 mL volumes were diluted to 100 mL, the accepted standard volume for bacterial colony analysis. Actual colony counts and volumes filtered were entered on the computer for .-. calculation and standardization (geometric mean and arithmetic mean). Physical parameters were recorded during sampling including time, water temperature, wind speed and direction, general weather condi'tions, and human activity. Recent precipitation was monitored near the site ( a  rain gauge stationed in a friends yard) and recorded for 24, 48, and 72 hours prior to sampling time. Salinity was determined using a YSI salinometer. Tidal information, wind and rain data were also obtained from NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). RESULTS A s  a  means  o f  d i s t i n g u i s h i n g  b e t w e e n  s a m p l i n g  l o c a t i o n s  t h e  t i d e - p o o l s  were s i m p l y  l a b e l e d  Kapoho 1, Kapoho 2 ,  a n d  Kapoho 3 .  Kapoho 1 b e i n g  t h e  f u r t h e s t  i n s h o r e  a n d  t h e r e f o r e  t h e  l e a s t  i n t e r a c t i o n  w i t h  t h e  o p e n  o c e a n ;  Kapoho 2 i s  i n t e r m e d i a t e ;  Kapoho 3 b e i n g  c l o s e s t  t o  t h e  s h o r e l i n e  and  s u b j e c t  t o  t h e  g r ea t e s t  .. . amount  o f  m i x i n g  b y  r e g u l a r  t i d a l  i n f l u x .  A l l  t h r e e  t i d e - p o o l s  show h i g h  d e g r e e s  o f  sewage p o l l u t i o n .  Kapoho 1 was c o n s i s t e n t l y  t h e  m o s t  c o n t a m i n a t e d ,  w i t h  f e c a l  c o l i f o r m  ( m e a n )  c o l o n y  c o u n t s  a s  h i g h  as  7 3 8 0  ( 3 6 . 5  t i m e s  g r e a t e r  t h a n  EPA s t a n d a r d  d a n g e r o u s  l e v e l  o f  2 0 0  c o l o n i e s  p e r  1 0 0  mL),  w i t h  a r a n g e  o f  8 9  t o  7 3 8 0 ,  a n d  on many o c c a s i o n s  t o o  n u m e r o u s  t o o  c o u n t .  E n t e r o c o c c i  (mean)  c o l o n y  c o u n t s  r a n g e d  f r o m  5 2  t o  2 2 0 0  w i t h  a g e o m e t r i c  mean o f  2 8 7  ( 4 1  times g r e a t e r  t h a n  EPA s t a n d a r d  o f  7 - - c o r r e s p o n d i n g  t o  1 9  i l l n e s s e s  p e r  1 0 0 0  s w i m m e r s ) .  Kapoho 2  f e c a l  c o l i f o r m  ( m e a n )  c o l o n y  c o u n t s  r a n g e d  f r o m  0  t o  1 1 3 0  w i t h  a g e o m e t r i c  mean o f  1 9 8  (EPA s t a n d a r d  d a n g e r o u s  l e v e l  2 0 0 ) .  E n t e r o c o c c i  ( m e a n )  c o l o n y  c o u n t s  r a n g e d  f r o m  2  t o  1 2 0 0  w i t h  a g e o m e t r i c  mean o f  7 1  ( 1 0  times greater  t h a n  EPA s t a n d a r d  o f  7 ) .  Kapoho 3 f e c a l  c o l i f o r m  (mean)  c o l o n y  c o u n t s  r a n g e d  f r o m  4  t o  3 2 8  w i t h  a  g e o m e t r i c  mean o f  53. Two o f  t h e  t e n  d a y s  s a m p l e d  ( 2 0 % )  r e s u l t e d  i n  c o u n t s  e x c e e d i n g  t h e  2 0 0  l e v e l .  E n t e r o c o c c i  ( m e a n )  c o l o n y  c o u n t s  r a n g e d  f r o m  0  t o  8 2  w i t h  a g e o m e t r i c  mean of  14 ( 2  times greater  t h a n  t h e  EPA s t a n d a r d  o f  7 ) .  DISCUSSION The p h y s i c a l  p a r a m e t e r  t h a t  showed t h e  most  s i g n i f i c a n t  c o r r e l a t i o n  w i t h  t h e  d a t a  was r a i n f a l l .  G e n e r a l l y  h i g h  r a i n f a l l  w i t h i n  24 h o u r s  o f  s a m p l i n g  r e s u l t e d  i n  l ower  b a c t e r i a l  c o u n t s ,  f o r  b o t h  e n t e r o c o c c i  and f e c ' a l  c o l i f o r m .  G e n e r a l l y  h i g h  r a i n f a l l  w i t h i n  72 h o u r s  o f  s a m p l i n g ,  and low r a i n f a l l  w i t h i n  24-48 h o u r s  r e s u l t e d  i n  t h e  h i g h e s t  c o l o n y  c o u n t s  f o r  f e c a l  c o l i f o r m ,  b u t  t h i s  d i d  n o t  c o r r e l a t e  w i t h  r e s u l t s  f o r  e n t e r o c o c c i  c o l o n i e s  i n  Kapoho 1 which  were  l o w e s t  i n  e n t e r o c o c c i  c o u n t s  d u r i n g  t h e s e  p e r i o d s  a l t h o u g h  s t i l l  a t  t h e  h i g h  end  of  t h e  s c a l e ) .  ( S e e  a p p e n d i x ) .  A n a l y s i s  o f  t h e  r e m a i n d e r  o f  t h e  d a t a  i n  r e l a t i o n  t o  p h y s i c a l  p a r a m e t e r s  showed no  s i g n i f i c a n t  c o r r e l a t i o n  t o  b a c t e r i a l  c o l o n y  c o u n t s .  I n  some c a s e s  t h e  f e c a l  c o l i f o r m  c o u n t s  may h a v e  been  r e c o r d e d  a s  b e i n g  e r r o n e o u s l y  low,  d u e  t o  c o m p e t i t i o n  f rom some o t h e r  m i c r o - o r g a n i s m s  t h a t  p o p u l a t e d  t h e  r e c o v e r y  m e d i a ,  r e s u l t i n g  i n  y e l l o w i s h  c o n f l u e n t  and i s o l a t e d  c o l o n i e s .  T h e r e  is a n  i n v e r s e  c o r r e l a t i o n  be tween  b a c t e r i a l  c o u n t s  and S a l i n i t y .  T i d a l  f l o w  s c a l e  showed some c o r r e l a t i o n  w i t h  t h e  d a t a .  I n  some c a s e s  b a c t e r i a l  c o u n t s  were  g e n e r a l l y  h i g h e r  when t i d a l  f l o w  was a t  a minimum. (See  a p p e n d i x ) .  Sewage p o l l u t i o n  is a s e r i o u s  p r o b l e m  i n  t h e  Kapoho t i d e -  p o o l s .  Due t o  t h e  a b s e n c e  of  o t h e r  p r o b a b l e  p o l l u t e r s  ( l i v e s t o c k ,  e t c . )  i n  t h e  Kapoho a r e a ,  my h y p o t h e s i s  is t h a t  t h e  s o u r c e  o f  t h e  p o l l u t i o n  is t h e  n e a r b y  r e s i d e n t s  c e s s p o o l s  (wh ich  is n o t h i n g  more t h a n  a c e m e n t  c a p p e d  h o l e  i n  t h e  g r o u n d )  i n t o  w h i c h  t h e  r aw s e w a g e  is f l u s h e d .  The  h i g h l y  p o r o u s  b a s a l t i c  s u b s t r a t e  is an  e f f e c t i v e  a q u i f e r ,  t h e r e f o r e  a f t e r  p e r i o d s  o f  h i g h  r a i n f a l l  t h e  c e s s p o o l s  a r e  e f f e c t i v e l y  l e a c h e d  and  t h e  sewage c o n t a m i n a t e s  t h e  g r o u n d w a t e r ,  w h i c h  u l t i m a t e l y  f l o w s  t o  t h e  f r e s h  water s a l i n e  i n t e r f a c e  o f  t h e  t i d e - p o o l s .  T h e  i n v e r s e  c o r r e l a t i o n  b e t w e e n  s a l i n i t y  a n d  b a c t e r i a l  c o l o n y  c o u n t s ,  I p e r c e i v e  t o  b e  a d i r e c t  r e l a t i o n  t o  r e c e n t  r a i n f a l l .  T h e  Kapoho a r e a  h a s  b e e n  u n d e r g o i n g  s u b s i d e n c e  c a u s i n g  a  s i g n i f i c a n t  r e c e s s i o n  o f  t h e  s h o r e l i n e  a n d  e n l a r g e m e n t  o f  t h e  t i d e - p o o l s  ( see  f i g u r e  1 ) .  T h e  r e s u l t s  o f  t h i s  s t u d y  c l e a r l y  show t h a t  t h e  d e g r e e  o f  s e w a g e  p o l l u t i o n  i n  Kapoho is e x t r e m e l y  h i g h ,  p o s i n g  a  t h r e a t  t o  human h e a l t h .  I n  o r d e r  t o  d e a l  w i t h  t h e  s i t u a t i o n  a d e q u a t e l y  some d r a s t i c  c h a n g e s  w i l l  h a v e  t o  b e  made i n  d e a l i n g  w i t h  sewage t r e a t m e n t  and  d i s p o s a l  i n  c o a s t a l  r e s i d e n t i a l  a r e a s  s u c h  a s  Kapoho .  I n  t h e  n e a r  f u t u r e  many more p e o p l e  w i l l  b e  moving  i n t o  t h i s  area a n d  t h e  p r o b l e m  is l i k e l y  t o  ge t  w o r s e  b e f o r e  i t  ge t s  b e t t e r .  REFERENCES Greenberg, Arnold E., Chairman Joint Editorial Board 1985 Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, Sixteenth Edition. American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association, Water Pollution Control Federation, Washington D.C. Yeager, J.G. and R.T. O'Brian 1.983. Irradiation as a means to minimize public health risks from sludge-borne pathogens. Journal Water Pollution Control Federation 57(5): 977-983. Maps courtesy of Hawaii County Public Works -- Hilo Hawaii Professor Walter Dudley, Department of Geology Oceanography University of Hawaii -- Hilo Professor Leon Hallacher, Marine Biology Zoology University of Hawaii -- Hilo LCBWHO SEWAGE POLLUTION Kapoho 1 ~ e c a l  col i form Ari thmat ic  Xean = 2808 Geometric Hean = 1532 Hean Tide  Time Colony RAIN Tide Scaled Date H r s .  Nins .  Count S a l .  Temp. 24HR 48HR 72HR ( f t )  Plow FECAL COLIFOW A KAPOHO 1 B a c t e r i a l  Count Worksheet ........................... Vol. ( m l )  Colony Colony Vol. ( m l )  Colony Colony F i l t e r e d  Count Count F i l t e r e d  Count Count Date Series 1 Rep la Rep l b S e r i e s 2  R e p 2 a  Rep 2b ____-_-_-_-_---_--_-------------------------------------------- llSEP89 50 1 8 5 f t  50 18SEP89 50 * f 5 39 27 25SEP89 50 * 1: 5 37 4 1  020CT89 50 f f 5 242 248 090CT89 50 22 67 5 f* ** 160CT89 50 * f 5 252 203 230CT89 50 * x 5 202 220 300CT89 50 * t 5 369 t 06NOV89 50 t t 5 29 28 13NOV89 50 f t 5 215 178 * t o o  numerous t o  count I ** insuf  f i c i a n t  d a t a  g 6 9 0 H O  SEWAGE POLLUTIO ~ U D Y  Kapoho 1 E n t e r o c c i  A r i t h m a t i c  Mean = 589 Geometric Mean = 307 Hean T i d e  Time Colony . ,. . R A I N  T ide  Sca l ed  Date Hrs. Hins. Count S a l .  Temp. 24HR 48HR 72HR ( f  t )  Flow ENTEROCOCCI W O H O  1 Bacterial Count Worksheet ........................... Vol. ( m l )  Colony Colony Vol. ( m l )  Colony F i l t e r e d  Count Count F i l t e r e d  Count Date S e r i e s  1 Rep l a  Rep l b  S e r i e s  2 Rep 2a -----_-------___--_------------------------ -- l lSEP89 50 72 5 12 18SEP89 50 76 5 10 25SEP89 50 * 5 21  020CT89 50 f 5 2 1  090CT89 50 26 5 7 16OCT89 50 * 5 * 230CT89 50 f 5 t 300CT89 50 t 5 110 06NOV89 50 60 5 tt 13NOV89 50 f 5 59 * Too numerous t o  count ** i n s u f  f i c i a n t  data KAFOHO SBWAGK POLLUTIOH STUDY KaPoho 2 e ~ e c a l  c o l i f  orm Ari thmat ic  Hean = Geometric Hean = Time Date H r s .  Hins 435 198 Mean Colony Count S a l  . Temp Tide RAIR  Tide Scaled 24HR 48HR 72HR ( f t )  Plow FECAL COLLIFORH U P O H 0  2  bacterial Count Worksheet ........................... Vol.(ml) Colony Colony Vol.(ml) Colony Colony F i l t e r e d  Count Count F i l t e r e d  Count Count Date S e r i e s  1 Rep la  Rep l b  S e r i e s  2 Rep 2a Rep 2b ............................................................... llSEP89 50 * t 5 43 *S 18SEP89 50 f x 5 36 31 25SEP89 50 * f 5 66 47 020CT89 50 0 0 5 1 0 090CT89 50 1: ~r 5 30 40 160CT89 50 38 38 5 S* ** 230CT89 50 0 0 5 0 0 300CT89 50 * * 5 25 26 06NOV89 50 30 ** 5 21 ** 13NOV89 50 155 158 5 15  13 * t o o  numerous too count ** i n s u f f  iciant d a t a  I Kapoho 2 En te rococc i  *Ar i thmat ic  Mean = 251 Geometric Hean = 7 1  Mean . .. . T i d e  Time Colony RBIN Tide  Scaled Date H r s .  Xins.  Count S a l .  Temp. 24HR 48HR 72HR ( f t )  Flow ENTEROCOCCI W O H O  2 Bacterial Count Worksheet Vol.(ml) Colony Colony Vol.(ml) Colony F i l t e r e d  Count Count F i l t e r e d  Count D a t e  S e r i e s  1 Rep l a  Rep l b  S e r i e s  2 Rep 2a  ...................................................... * Too numerous t o  count ** i n s u f  f i c i a n t  d a t a  KAEWHO SEWAGE POLLUTION WDY - Kapoho 3 Fecal  c o l i f o r r  Ar i thmat ic  Hean = 103 Geometric Hean = 53 Hean Tide Time Colony RAIN Tide Scaled D a t e  H r s .  Hins. Count Sal .  Temp. 24HR 48HR 72HR ( f t )  Plow FBCAL COLIFORH A KAE'OHO 3 Bacterial Count Worksheet ........................... Vol. ( m l )  Colony Colony Vol. (ml) Colony Colony F i l t e r e d  Count Count F i l t e r ed  Count Count Date S e r i e s  1 Rep l a  Rep l b  Se r i e s  2 Rep 2a Rep 2b _-_-______---__-__--------------------------------------------- llSEP89 50 104 5 5 6 3 18SgP89 50 f* 30 5 f* ** 25SEP89 50 169 161 5 18 13 020CT89 50 3 2 5 1 0 090CT89 50 54 ** 5 *S ** 160CT89 50 11 8 5 1 3 230CT89 50 3 1 5 0 0 300CT89 50 40 52 5 ** tt 06NOV89 50 46 54 5 4 4 13NOV89 50 106 99 5 7 12 ** i n s u f f i c i a n t  da t a  I UE'OHO SEWAGE POLLUTIO WUDY Kapoho 3 Bnterococci  Ar i thmat ic  Mean = 27 Geometric Hean = 14 Mean Time Colony Date H r s .  ifins. Count S a l  T i d e  R A I N  Tide Scaled  Temp. 24HR 48HR 72HR ( f t )  Plow ENTEROCOCCI KAPOHO 3 B a c t e r i a l  Count Uorksheet ........................... A Vol. ( m l )  Colony Colony Vol. ( m l )  Colony F i l t e r e d  Count Count F i l t e r e d  Count Date S e r i e s  1 Rep la  Rep l b  S e r i e s  2 Rep 2a ...................................................... llSEP89 50 18 5 4 18SEP89 50 2 5 1 25SBP89 50 41  5 ** 020CT89 50 0 5 2 090CT89 50 26 5 S* 160CT89 50 0 5 0 230CT89 50 2 5 0 300CT89 50 6 5 0 06NOV89 50 1 5 0 13NOV89 50 36 5 1 ** insuf  f i c i a n t  d a t a  

Sewage Pollution in Kapoho Tide Pools (Preliminary Study)

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