Investigations

Predicting exposure to pathogens and AMR
Coast of Spiddal, Ireland

You can read more about Niamh's research here.

Case Studies Ireland

With increasing sea temperatures it is essential to understand what impact climate change has on the ability of pathogens and antimicrobial resistant organisms to survive and proliferate in our coastal waters. Runoff from agricultural lands and discharges of treated and untreated human sewage can introduce pathogens and antimicrobial resistant organisms to our coastal waters.

Researchers from the University of Galway together with colleagues from Bangor University, Deltares, and the University of Exeter are investigating whether modelling can be used to assess the movement of pathogens and antimicrobial resistant organisms in coastal environments.

Spiddal (An Spidéal) is a village in County Galway on the West coast of Ireland and a very popular tourist destination and is one of three case study areas being investigated in the BlueAdapt project. Spiddal has two beaches – Trá na mBan to the East and Céibh an Spidéal to the West into which the Boluisce River flows.

Trá na mBan suffers from poor water quality as a result of raw wastewater discharges and agricultural run-off. Works are ongoing to construct a wastewater treatment plant in the area (expected completion: 2024)

What are we doing?

The team will collect and analyse samples of seawater from the coast at Spiddal. This will provide insights into the microbial composition of the water and the presence of pathogens and antimicrobial resistant (AMR) organisms. The evidence generated will be used in the development and validation of modelling approaches that will help us better understand the impact of climatic and environmental factors on pathogens and antimicrobial resistant organisms in our coastal environments. The models will enable us to identify and predict areas where people may be at a higher risk of exposure to pathogens. 

Timeline

Here’s what’s happening:

Why is this important?

In order to protect both water users and the wider public’s health, we need to ensure that our coastal waters are safe for use. To do so, we need to better understand the impact of climate change and environmental pollution on pathogens in these environments and the potential impact these may have on human health.

The models will allow us to simulate the flow of bacteria and viruses from wastewater discharges and agricultural run-off into the coastal zone and to predict the concentration and timings of viral and bacterial pollution in our coastal waters.

This will allow for the identification of areas where humans may be at a higher risk of pathogen exposure in our coastal environments, enables more accurate forecasting and in combination with live environmental and public health data, enables the creation of a real-time surveillance system. 

All of this will be of benefit to not only stakeholders such as governing bodies, but also to our water users and the wider public.

Share this research