Visualizing microbial pollution in Santa Monica Bay with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and through field-testing a rapid, robust, field-portable water detection sensing system

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a powerful mapping tool that can be used to reveal spatial and temporal relationships of a criteria of interest. We have used GIS to visualize the seasonal and spatial distribution of microbial pollution obtained from the Heal the Bay beach water quality report (2007). These maps can be used to inform sampling decisions; more specifically, we can use it to identify areas of chronic pollution and can be used as a testbed for a rapid sensing system for bacteria. This rapid detection system can be used to provide higher resolution and understanding of water pollution as well as assist in understanding/characterizing environmental water quality in specific areas. We propose the subsequent use of an covalently-linked immumomagnetic separation/ATP quantification assay that is rapid, robust, and field-portable as an instrument to conduct monitoring of E. coli and Enterococcus in marine and freshwater systems.