Dozens of beaches close before July Fourth weekend due to fecal bacteria
At least six states have issued closures or advisories for certain beaches and lakes that have tested positive for above-safe levels of fecal bacteria. In Massachusetts, almost two dozen beaches are closed due to excessive bacteria levels. Four beaches in New York are closed. Illinois has issued at least eight advisories in the past few weeks. Los Angeles County had released eight ocean water quality advisories as of Tuesday. Michigan has closed three beaches.
The bacteria causing havoc for summer swimmers include E.coli and Enterococcus — nasty germs often found in the feces of people and animals. The contamination can occur because of sewage, manure or storm runoff. E.coli is more likely to be found in freshwater, whereas enterococcus can form in both marine and freshwater.
Edward Dudley, director of the E. Coli Reference Center at Pennsylvania State University, said testing bodies of water used for swimming is routine and common, as are closures.
Beach closures are more likely around the summer months, when ocean surface temperatures are high and bacteria can grow more easily, said Antarpreet Jutla, associate professor of environmental engineering sciences at the University of Florida. However, a variety of factors — including human activity, temperature and water movement — can affect bacterial growth, he said.
Jutla also said that beach closures due to fecal bacteria are very common.
In North Carolina, officials warned about cyanobacteria algae blooms in Lake Norman, urging people to keep children and pets away from water that appears bright green, blue or scummy. Different from fecal bacteria, cyanobacteria are the most common cause of algae blooms in freshwater, such as lakes or rivers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Research suggests that climate change may be triggering cyanobacterial algae blooms more frequently.
Although the Environmental Protection Agency sets guidelines on safe levels of fecal bacteria, states can set their own water quality and monitoring standards. Some, such as Illinois, test public beaches every two weeks.
'I would say, the higher the levels, probably the higher the risk,' Dudley said.
While fecal waste can lead to many harmful diseases, experts are worried by recent increasing levels of another harmful bacteria: vibrio.
Vibrio is a potentially deadly bacterium that has caused similar beach closures in recent years. The flesh-eating bug thrives in warm, coastal waters. Jutla, who researches vibrio bacteria, has seen vibrio gradually migrate north across the United State. Testing for vibrio depends on each state as well as its concentration limits, he said.
'It's a rare thing right now with increasing trends in the entire country, but that's something that we are really concerned about — what is going to be present in the coastal waters,' Jutla said about vibrio.
The deadly V. vulnificus is a rare type of the bacterium, but infections have been growing in recent years as it follows warming ocean water up the eastern coast of the U.S.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNN
22 minutes ago
- CNN
Earth is as far away from the sun as it ever gets. So why is it so hot?
The peak of summer is approaching for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, but as we prepare for more sunshine and sweltering temperatures, our planet is spinning at its farthest point from the sun. On Thursday at 3:55 p.m. ET, our planet reached what's called the aphelion — the most distant point in its orbit around the sun, roughly 3 million miles farther away than when it's closest. This happens every year in early July, which might sound backward. If we're farthest from the sun, shouldn't it be cooler? People tend to associate proximity with warmth, so it seems natural to assume the seasons are caused by changes in how far Earth is from the sun. But the planet's distance has little to do with it. The real reason for seasonal temperature changes lies in the fact that Earth is tilted. Our planet spins at an angle — about 23.5 degrees — which means different parts of the globe receive more (or less) sunlight depending on the time of year. In July, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun, bringing longer days and higher sun angles that lead to more direct sunlight — all of which produce summer-like heat. In contrast, the shape of Earth's orbit plays only a minor role. Although it's slightly oval-shaped rather than perfectly circular, the difference between our closest and farthest points from the sun is relatively small. Right now, Earth is about 3.1 million miles farther from the sun than it is in early January when it reaches perihelion, its closest point. Compared to its average distance of 93 million miles, that's only about a 3.3% difference. Because sunlight spreads out as it travels, even a relatively small change in distance results in about a 7% drop in the amount of solar energy reaching the planet. That's tiny compared to the effect of Earth's tilt. Just how big is the difference? Let's look at a few examples. In cities like Houston, New Orleans and Phoenix — near 30 degrees north in latitude — the amount of solar energy reaching Earth's atmosphere in summer is more than double what those cities receive in winter. Farther north, around 40 degrees, the seasonal swing is even more dramatic. Cities like New York, Denver and Columbus see solar energy climb from about 145 watts per square meter in winter to 430 in summer — nearly a 300% difference. So, while it's true that Earth is receiving less energy from the sun right now, that detail barely registers compared to the power of the planet's tilt. A slight angle in Earth's spin does far more to shape our seasonal patterns than a few million miles of extra distance ever could. In the end, it's not how close we are to the sun that makes summer feel like summer — it's how we're angled toward it.
CNN
34 minutes ago
- CNN
Earth is as far away from the sun as it ever gets. So why is it so hot?
FacebookTweetLink The peak of summer is approaching for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, but as we prepare for more sunshine and sweltering temperatures, our planet is spinning at its farthest point from the sun. On Thursday at 3:55 p.m. ET, our planet reached what's called the aphelion — the most distant point in its orbit around the sun, roughly 3 million miles farther away than when it's closest. This happens every year in early July, which might sound backward. If we're farthest from the sun, shouldn't it be cooler? People tend to associate proximity with warmth, so it seems natural to assume the seasons are caused by changes in how far Earth is from the sun. But the planet's distance has little to do with it. The real reason for seasonal temperature changes lies in the fact that Earth is tilted. Our planet spins at an angle — about 23.5 degrees — which means different parts of the globe receive more (or less) sunlight depending on the time of year. In July, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun, bringing longer days and higher sun angles that lead to more direct sunlight — all of which produce summer-like heat. In contrast, the shape of Earth's orbit plays only a minor role. Although it's slightly oval-shaped rather than perfectly circular, the difference between our closest and farthest points from the sun is relatively small. Right now, Earth is about 3.1 million miles farther from the sun than it is in early January when it reaches perihelion, its closest point. Compared to its average distance of 93 million miles, that's only about a 3.3% difference. Because sunlight spreads out as it travels, even a relatively small change in distance results in about a 7% drop in the amount of solar energy reaching the planet. That's tiny compared to the effect of Earth's tilt. Just how big is the difference? Let's look at a few examples. In cities like Houston, New Orleans and Phoenix — near 30 degrees north in latitude — the amount of solar energy reaching Earth's atmosphere in summer is more than double what those cities receive in winter. Farther north, around 40 degrees, the seasonal swing is even more dramatic. Cities like New York, Denver and Columbus see solar energy climb from about 145 watts per square meter in winter to 430 in summer — nearly a 300% difference. So, while it's true that Earth is receiving less energy from the sun right now, that detail barely registers compared to the power of the planet's tilt. A slight angle in Earth's spin does far more to shape our seasonal patterns than a few million miles of extra distance ever could. In the end, it's not how close we are to the sun that makes summer feel like summer — it's how we're angled toward it.
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Why Blackberries Are So Good for You, According to Nutrition Experts
Blackberries are gorgeous berries that pop up in grocery stores and farmers' markets just about everywhere in the spring and summertime. While you're likely aware of the health benefits of blueberries and strawberries, you may be less informed about the benefits of blackberries. Here, get the low-down on blackberry nutrition from two dietitians and several recipes to help you usher this superfood into your Zeitlin, a New York City-based registered dietitian and founder of BZ Nutrition Amy Gorin, RDN, a plant-based registered dietitian and owner of Plant Based with AmyRelated: 6 Types of Fruit That Are Loaded With Fiber—Plus, Delicious Ways to Eat More of Them "Blackberries are loaded with vitamin C, which helps to strengthen your immune system and keep your skin looking plump and fresh," says Brigitte Zeitlin, a New York City-based registered dietitian and founder of BZ Nutrition. "They are also high in manganese, which works to keep your bones strong and healthy." Berries, including blackberries, are high in free-radical-fighting antioxidants. Blackberries, in particular, contain anthocyanins, which have antioxidative, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. They've been linked to improved vision and brain health. In addition, they offer protection against diseases such as diabetes and cancer due to their ability to protect against free radical damage. Related: 10 Foods That Are Rich in Flavonoids to Reduce Inflammation, Boost Collagen, and More Blackberries are also high in fiber, which helps you feel fuller for longer, says Amy Gorin, RDN, a plant-based registered dietitian and owner of Plant Based with Amy in Stamford, Connecticut. Blackberries' fiber content is also crucial because research has shown that not getting enough fiber can increase your chances of having heart disease. "Eating blackberries may help your LDL, or 'bad,' cholesterol levels," Gorin says. "According to a review study in Scientific Reports, people who regularly ate berries had lower LDL cholesterol levels, versus the people who were not regularly eating berries." Blackberries are also rich in vitamin K, which can help with blood clotting and bone metabolism. Being deficient in vitamin K can lead to heavy menstrual bleeding or make you prone to bruising. If you're on blood thinners, getting enough of this nutrient from blackberries is a great option. Additionally, one study showed that regular blackberry consumption could promote good dental health, and another showed it could help with brain health and prevent memory loss related to aging. While you don't need to be super concerned about overdoing it on blackberries, you may have stomach discomfort if you eat too many due to their higher fiber content. If you have a sensitive stomach, you're likely better off keeping it to a small handful of blackberries per serving. And because they're so dark in color, blackberries may also cause you to see changes in color in your urine if consumed in large amounts, similar to beets. This also isn't cause for concern, so don't feel alarmed if it happens. Related: The 35 Healthiest Foods to Eat Every Day Read the original article on Real Simple
