Development of a Rapid, in situ Sensor System for Monitoring Bacteria in Coastal Waters

In this project, researchers are developing an automated in situ sensor, for use on a buoy or pier, that will measure microbiological water quality in coastal waters. This system will use a modification of a well-established enzyme substrate method combined with recent advances in marine instrumentation to allow rapid, automated analyses of bacterial indicators of human health risks. This research should help efforts to assess the risk of microbial pathogens in coastal waters and help environmental decision-makers protect human health.