Fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) are an important indicator of microbial water quality at Southern California beaches. Daily cycling in FIB in recreational marine bathing waters has been attributed in part to photochemical production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which is known to occur from chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) in natural waters. We previously measured the concentrations, production and destruction rates of H2O2 in surf zone waters in Orange County, California. We also examined the contribution of iron minerals in beach sand to explore potential sources of the observed increase in H2O2 levels in ebbing beach waters. Here, we examine the correlation between dissolved iron concentrations in surf zone water and H2O2 levels at a series of beaches in Orange County, Southern California to explore the hypothesis that increased iron concentrations result in increased H2O2 levels. H2O2 was determined by the fluorescent peroxidase method and iron concentrations by atomic absorption spectroscopy.

Correlation between dissolved iron in beach water and photochemical production of hydrogen peroxide

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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