CSUEB biologists test water quality in San Leandro Creek and San Francisco Bay

• February 1, 2011 5:36am

Cal State East Bay's Department of Biological Sciences took part in a research-poster reception for the CSU Board of Trustees and presidents on Jan. 25. The reception was sponsored by the California State University’s Council on Ocean Affairs, Science and Technology – a system-wide consortium of marine scientists.

Stephanie Molloy, Kathy Seiber and Sirma Mihaltcheva of Cal State East Bay presented their research, "Investigating Microbial Water Quality of San Leandro Creek and San Francisco Bay."

Intense urbanization and other manmade activities, such as past mercury mining in the San Francisco Bay Area, can have serious impacts on water quality of the bay, according to the team's findings. Natural microbial populations of the bay can also be of concern.

The study investigates the presence and sources of fecal pollution in San Leandro Creek, which ultimately discharges into San Francisco Bay. The team found traces of fecal bacteria at all sampling sites in the creek under both dry and rain conditions.

Download (PDF) more about this research and all CSU campus research.

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