Meredith Nevers
Biography
Meredith B. Nevers is a research ecologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, Great Lakes Science Center in Porter, Indiana. She received her B.A. in biology/English from Wittenberg University and her M.S. in marine biology from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She has worked with the USGS for the past 17 years. Her research interests include microbial ecology, impact assessments on ecosystems, primary producers, and aquatic ecology. Nevers has published extensively on water quality science and improving coastal monitoring accuracy through predictive modeling as well as in the ecology and natural occurrence of indicator bacteria. She is the theme lead for Ecosystem Health at the Great Lakes Science Center and the team leader for predictive modeling in her research group. Nevers is the current president of the Great Lakes Beach Association and is an active member of the American Society for Microbiology and the International Water Association. Within her research program, she currently explores microbial ecology, water quality, and community interactions in nearshore waters.
PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS AND BOOK CHAPTERS
Nevers, M.B., Byappanahalli, M.N., Edge, T.A. and Whitman, R.L. 2014. Beach Science in the Great Lakes. Journal of Great Lakes Research 40:1-14.
Sabino, R., Rodrigues, R., Costa, I., Carneiro, C., Cunha, M., Duarte, A., Faria, N., Ferreira, F.C., Gargaté, M.J., Júlio, C., Martins, M.L., Nevers, M.B., Oleastro, M., Solo-Gabriele, H., Veríssimo, C., Viegas, C., Whitman, R.L. and Brandão, J. 2014. Routine screening of harmful microorganisms in beach sands: Implications to public health. Science of the Total Environment 472:1062-1069.
Francy, D.S., Brady, A.M.G., Carvin, R.B., Corsi, S.R., Fuller, L.M., Harrison, J.H., Hayhurst, B.A., Lant, J., Nevers, M.B., Terrio, P.J. and Zimmerman, T.M. 2013. Developing and Implementing predictive models for estimating recreational water quality at Great Lakes beaches. U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2013–5166. http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2013/5166/
Kesteloot, K., Azizan, A., Whitman, R.L. and Nevers, M.B. 2013. Changing Recreational Water Testing Alternatives. Park Science 29:6-12.
Nevers, M.B., Byappanahalli, M.N. and Whitman, R.L. 2013. Choices in recreational water quality monitoring: New opportunities and health risk trade-offs. Environmental Science & Technology 47:3073-3081.
Przybyla-Kelly, K., Nevers, M.B., Breitenbach, C. and Whitman, R.L. 2013. Recreational water quality response to a filtering barrier at a Great Lakes beach. Journal of Environmental Monitoring 129:635-641.
Thupaki, P., Phanikumar, M.S., Schwab, D.J., Nevers, M.B. and Whitman, R.L. 2013. Evaluating the role of sediment-bacteria interactions on Escherichia coli concentrations at beaches in southern Lake Michigan. Journal of Geophysical Research-Oceans 118:7049-7065.
Byappanahalli, M. N., M. B. Nevers, A. Korajkic, Z. R. Staley, and V. J. Harwood. 2012. Enterococci in the Environment: A Review. Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews 76:685-706.
Ge, Z., R. L. Whitman, M. B. Nevers, and M. S. Phanikumar. 2012. Wave-induced mass transport affects daily Escherichia coli fluctuations in nearshore water. Environmental Science & Technology 46:2204-2211.
Ge, Z., R. L. Whitman, M. B. Nevers, M. S. Phanikumar, and M. N. Byappanahalli. 2012. Evaluating the role of an embayed beach as a reservoir and a net source of fecal contamination. Limnology and Oceanography 57:362-381.
Nevers, M.B. and A. B. Boehm. 2011. Modeling fate and transport of fecal bacteria in surface water. Pages 165-188 in M. J. Sadowsky and R. L. Whitman, editors. The Fecal Bacteria. ASM Press, Washington, DC.
Nevers, M. B. and R. L. Whitman. 2011. Beach Monitoring Criteria: Reading the Fine Print. Environmental Science & Technology 45:10315-10321.
Nevers, M.B. and R. L. Whitman. 2011. Efficacy of monitoring and empirical predictive modeling at improving public health protection at Chicago beaches. Water Research 45:1659-1668.
Nevers, M. B. and R. L. Whitman. 2010. Policies and practices of beach monitoring in the Great Lakes, USA: A critical review. Journal of Environmental Monitoring 12:581-590.
Thupaki, P., M. S. Phanikumar, D. Beletsky, D. J. Schwab, M. B. Nevers, and R. L. Whitman. 2010. Budget analysis of Escherichia coli at a southern Lake Michigan beach based on three-dimensional transport modeling. Environmental Science & Technology 44:1010-1016.
Whitman, R. L., M. B. Nevers, K. Przybyla-Kelly, and M. N. Byappanahalli. 2010. Physical and biological factors influencing environmental sources of fecal indicator bacteria in surface water. Pages 111-134 in M. J. Sadowsky and R. L. Whitman, editors. The Fecal Bacteria. ASM Press, Washington, DC.
Nevers, M.B, D. A. Shively, G. T. Kleinheinz, C. M. McDermott, W. Schuster, V. Chomeau, and R. L. Whitman. 2009. Geographic relatedness and predictability of Escherichia coli along a peninsular beach complex of Lake Michigan. Journal of Environmental Quality 38:2357-2364.
Whitman, R. L., K. Przybyla-Kelly, D. A. Shively, M. B. Nevers, and M. N. Byappanahalli. 2009. Hand-mouth transfer and potential for exposure to E. coli and F+ coliphage in beach sand, Chicago, Illinois. Journal of Water and Health 7:623-629.
Nevers, M.B. and R. L. Whitman. 2008. Coastal strategies to predict Escherichia coli concentrations for beaches along a 35 km stretch of southern Lake Michigan. Environmental Science & Technology 42:4454-4460.
Whitman, R. L. and M. B. Nevers. 2008. Summer E. coli patterns and responses along 23 Chicago beaches. Environmental Science & Technology 42:9217-9224.
Whitman, R. L., K. Przybyla-Kelly, D. A. Shively, M. B. Nevers, and M. N. Byappanahalli. 2008. Sunlight, season, snowmelt, storm, and source affect E. coli populations in an artificially ponded stream. Science of the Total Environment 390:448-455.
Boehm, A. B., R. L. Whitman, M. B. Nevers, D. Hou, and S. B. Weisberg. 2007. Modeling: Nowcasting recreational water quality. Pages 179-210 in L. J. Wymer, editor. Statistical Framework for Recreational Water Quality Criteria and Monitoring. Wiley, West Sussex, UK.
Nevers, M.B., R. L. Whitman, W. A. Frick, and Z. Ge. 2007. Interaction and influence of two creeks on E. coli concentrations of nearby beaches: Exploration of predictability and mechanisms. Journal of Environmental Quality 36:1338-1345.
Liu, L., M. S. Phanikumar, S. L. Molloy, R. L. Whitman, D. A. Shively, M. B. Nevers, D. J. Schwab, and J. B. Rose. 2006. Modeling the transport and inactivation of E. coli and enterococci in the near-shore region of Lake Michigan. Environmental Science & Technology 40:5022-5028.
Smith, W., M. B. Nevers, and R. L. Whitman. 2006. Advances in recreational water quality monitoring at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Park Science 24:19-23.
Whitman, R. L., M. B. Nevers, and M. N. Byappanahalli. 2006. Watershed-wide distribution of Escherichia coli along southern Lake Michigan: An integrated approach. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 72:7301-7310.
Nevers, M.B. and R. L. Whitman. 2005. Nowcast modeling of Escherichia coli concentrations at multiple urban beaches of southern Lake Michigan. Water Research 39:5250-5260.
Nevers, M. B. and R. L. Whitman. 2005. Protecting visitor health in beach waters of Lake Michigan: Problems and opportunities. Pages 583-600 in T. Edsall and M. Munawar, editors. State of Lake Michigan: Ecology, Health and Management. Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management Society, Ecovision Series. Goodword Books, India.
Nevers, M.B. and R. L. Whitman. 2004. Characterization and comparison of phytoplankton in selected lakes of five Great Lakes area national parks. Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management 7:515-528.
Whitman, R. L., M. B. Nevers, M. L. Goodrich, P. G. Murphy, and B. M. Davis. 2004. Characterization of Lake Michigan coastal lakes using zooplankton assemblages. Ecological Indicators 4:277-286.
Whitman, R. L., M. B. Nevers, G. C. Korinek, and M. N. Byappanahalli. 2004. Solar and temporal effects on Escherichia coli concentration at a Great Lakes swimming beach. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 70:4276-4285.
Whitman, R. L., D. A. Shively, H. Pawlik, M. B. Nevers, and M. N. Byappanahalli. 2003. Occurrence of Escherichia coli and enterococci in Cladophora (Chlorophyta) in nearshore water and beach sand of Lake Michigan. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 69:4714-4719.
Whitman, R. L., M. B. Nevers, S. Hammann, and P. B. Moy. 2000. Ecological potential of the Grand Calumet River basin. Proceedings of the Indiana Academy of Science 108/109:163-175.
PARTNER REPORTS
Shively, D. A., M. B. Nevers, and R. L. Whitman. 2012. Development of an empirical predictive model for E. coli concentrations at Washington Park Beach, Michigan City, Indiana. A Report to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Porter, Indiana.
Whitman, R. L., M. N. Byappanahalli, D. A. Shively, K. Przybyla-Kelly, A. Spoljaric, and M. B. Nevers. 2012. Microbial contaminants and their potential sources along the Indiana shoreline. Report to the Indiana Department of Environmental Managment, Porter, Indiana.
Whitman, R. L. and M. B. Nevers. 2009. Policies and Practices of Beach Monitoring in the Great Lakes: A Report to the International Joint Commission. US Geological Survey, Porter, Indiana.
Przybyla-Kelly, K., R. L. Whitman, and M. B. Nevers. 2007. Examination of E. coli fluctuations, sources, and predictive modeling potential at Fair Haven Beach State Park, New York. US Geological Survey, Porter, Indiana.
Chomeau, V., G. Kleinheinz, R. Kolberg, C. McDermott, M. Nevers, W. Schuster, and R. Whitman. 2005. Door County beach contamination source identification interim report: Report to Door County Commissioners. Door County Soil and Water Conservation Department, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.
Whitman, R. L. and M. B. Nevers. 2005. Regional and local factors affecting patterns of E. coli distribution in southern Lake Michigan. US Geological Survey, Porter, Indiana.
Whitman, R. L. and M. B. Nevers. 2005. Forecasting E. coli concentrations at 63rd Street Beach from hydrometeorological conditions. US Geological Survey, Porter, Indiana.
Whitman, R. L. and M. B. Nevers. 2005. Recreational Water Quality of Door County Beaches 2003-2004: A Study of Factors Affecting E. coli Occurrence. US Geological Survey, Porter, Indiana.
Garza, E. L., M. B. Nevers, and R. L. Whitman. 2002. Ecological characterization of Long Lake, Porter and Lake Counties, Indiana. Report to the National Park Service.
Nevers, M. B. and R. L. Whitman. 2002. Lake monitoring field manual. Report to the National Park Service, Water Resources Division, Technical Report.
Whitman, R. L., M. B. Nevers, and L. L. Last. 2002. The impact of beach nourishment activities on the benthic macroinvertebrate community and yellow perch near Mt. Baldy, Indiana, 2001. Report to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District.
Whitman, R. L., M. B. Nevers, L. L. Last, T. G. Horvath, M. L. Goodrich, S. M. Mahoney, and J. A. Nefczyk. 2002. Status and trends of selected inland lakes of the Great Lakes cluster National Parks. U.S. Geological Survey, Porter, Indiana.
Nevers, M. B. and R. L. Whitman. 2001. The effect of buried lead shot on deep-dwelling benthic interstitial fauna. Report to the City of Chicago, Department of the Environment.
Whitman, R. L., T. G. Horvath, M. L. Goodrich, M. B. Nevers, M. J. Wolcott, and S. K. Haack. 2001. Characterization of E. coli levels at 63rd Street Beach. Report to the City of Chicago, Department of the Environment and the Chicago Park District, Chicago, Illinois.
Whitman, R. L., T. G. Horvath, L. L. Last, M. Goodrich, and M. B. Nevers. 2001. The effects of shooting range lead shot on the sand-dwelling animals in the near shore waters of Lake Michigan. Report to the City of Chicago, Department of the Environment.
Horvath, T., R. L. Whitman, L. Last, and M. B. Nevers. 2000. Evaluation of beach nourishment activities on bottom fauna and yellow perch in nearshore areas of Mt. Baldy, 1996-98. Report submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District.
RECENT PRESENTATIONS
Nevers, M.B. M. N. Byappanahalli, C. Breitenbach, A. M. Spoljaric, D. A. Shively, K. J. Przybyla-Kelly, R. L. Whitman. 2012. Sources and Fluctuations of E. coli Along 40-km Urban Coast of Lake Michigan. Great Lakes Beach Association Annual Meeting, 16-18 October 2012, Mackinac Island, Michigan.
Nevers, M.B., R.L. Whitman, and M.N. Byappanahalli 2012. Improving Beach Water Monitoring to Protect Human Health. 2012 Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Science Conference, 28 November 2012, Gary, Indiana.
Whitman, R.L., M.B. Nevers, and M.N. Byappanahalli. 2012. Indiana Dunes: Epicenter of Science on Recreational Water Quality. 2012 Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Science Conference, 28 November 2012, Gary, Indiana.
Whitman, R.L., M.N. Byappanahalli, R. Grundel, M.B. Nevers, and N.B. Pavlovic. 2012. Ecology of Public Lands: Mission Driven, Goal Oriented, Product Yielding Research. 2012 Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Science Conference, 28 November 2012, Gary, Indiana.
Whitman, R.L., M.B. Nevers, and M.N. Byappanahalli. 2012. USGS Great Lakes Coastal Beach Health Science. 2012 Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Science Conference, 28 November 2012, Gary, Indiana.
Nevers, M.B. Science Group Summary of IJC Beaches and Recreational Water Quality Work Group Expert Consultation. IJC Biennial Meeting 12-14 October, Detroit, Michigan
Ge, Z., R.L. Whitman, and M.B. Nevers. 2012. Validation of Empirical Models for Beach Water Quality across Years: A Case Study at Ogden Dunes. International Association of Great Lakes Research Annual Meeting. 13-17 May 2012, Cornwall, Ontario.
Francy, D.S., A. M. Brady, S.R. Corsi, S.K. Haack, B.A. Hayhurst, J. Lant, M.B. Nevers, P.J. Terrio, and T.M. Zimmerman. 2012. Developing and Implementing the Use of Predictive Models for Recreational Water Quality Throughout the Great Lakes. International Association of Great Lakes Research Annual Meeting. 13-17 May 2012, Cornwall, Ontario.
Nevers, M. B., M. N. Byappanahalli, C. Breitenbach, A. M. Spoljaric, D. A. Shively, K. J. Przybyla-Kelly, R. L. Whitman. 2012. Population Structure and Density Variation of E. coli along Chicago Beaches Suggest Common, Non-point Origins. 112th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology 16-19 June 2012, San Francisco.
Byappanahalli, M.N., T. Yan, M. J. Hamilton, S. Ishii, R. S. Fujioka, R. L. Whitman, M. B. Nevers, M. J. Sadowsky. 2012. Growth Potential, Population Structure, and Genetic Relatedness of Escherichia coliin Geographically Distinct Soil Environments. 112th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology 16-19 June 2012, San Francisco.
Nevers, M.B., R.L. Whitman, D. Rockwell, and C. Breitenbach. 2010. Does modeling E. coli improve risk protection and access for swimmers at Chicago beaches? 10th Annual Meeting of the Great Lakes Beach Association, 19-21 October 2010, Presque Isle, Pennsylvania.
Ge, Z., R.L. Whitman, M.B. Nevers, and M.N. Byappanahalli. 2010. Numerical simulation of bacteria transport and deposition processes at a Chicago beach. 10th Annual Meeting of the Great Lakes Beach Association, 19-21 October 2010, Presque Isle, Pennsylvania.
Nevers, M.B. and R.L. Whitman. 2011. Are applications of swimming water quality criteria overly conservative? U.S. EPA National Beach Conference 15-17 March 2011, Miami, Florida.
Shively, D.A., K.J. Przybyla-Kelly, A.M. Spoljaric, M.B. Nevers, R.L. Whitman, and M.N. Byappanahalli. 2011. Highly contaminated beaches: A birds’ tale. General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, 21-24 May 2011, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Nevers, M.B., R.L. Whitman, and M.N. Byappanahalli. 2011. Identifying and predicting area- wide non-point sources of bacteria contamination along the Chicago beaches. Coastal Zone 2011, 17-21 July 2011. Chicago, Illinois.
Ge, Z., R.L. Whitman, M.B. Nevers, M.N. Byappanahalli, and M. Phanikumar. 2011. Bacteria transport and deposition processes in a complex hydrodynamic system. Coastal Zone 2011, 17-21 July 2011. Chicago, Illinois.
Breitenbach, C., M.B. Nevers, R.L. Whitman. 2011. Implementing predictive models at five Chicago beaches. 11th Annual Great Lakes Beach Association Conference, 26-28 September 2011, Michigan City, Indiana.
Shively, D.A., K.J. Przybyla-Kelly, A.M. Spoljaric, M.B. Nevers, R.L. Whitman, and M.B. Byappanahalli. 2011. Birds’ contribution to water quality at a highly contaminated Indiana beach. 11th Annual Great Lakes Beach Association Conference, 26-28 September 2011, Michigan City, Indiana.
Whitman, R.L., M.N. Byappanahalli, and M.B. Nevers. 2011. Chara sp.: A novel environmental source of E. coli and enterococci to beach water. 11th Annual Great Lakes Beach Association Conference, 26-28 September 2011, Michigan City, Indiana.
Nevers, M.B. and S.K. Haack. 2009. Complex monitoring policies and practices influence interpretation of Great Lakes beach water quality. State of Lake Michigan/Great Lakes Beach Association Conference, 29 Sept-1 Oct 2009, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Whitman, R.L., M. N. Byappanahalli, D.A. Shively, M. B. Nevers, S. Ishii, and M. J. Sadowsky. 2010. Fecal indicator bacteria and bacterial pathogens in the Green Alga, Cladophora, along shorelines of the Great Lakes, USA. 10 March 2010, USGS BRD Genetics and Genomics Showcase, Washington, DC.
Byappanahalli, M. N., R.L. Whitman, and M.B. Nevers. A beachshed approach to examine non-point sources of fecal indicator bacteria in Great Lakes watersheds. Departmental Seminar, Department of Biological Sciences, Wayne State University. 26 April 2010; Detroit, Michigan.
Gronewold, A.D., M.B. Nevers, and R.L. Whitman. 2010. Improving recreational water quality assessments through novel approaches to quantifying measurement uncertainty. International Association of Great Lakes Research Annual Conference, 17-21 May 2010. Toronto, Canada
Nevers, M.B. and R.L. Whitman. 2010. Efficacy of beach monitoring and empirical predictive modeling at improving public health protection in Chicago. 110th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, 23-27 May 2010, San Diego, California.
Ge, Z., R.L. Whitman, R.G. Zepp, M.B. Byappanahalli, and M.B. Nevers. 2010. Diurnal Fluctuations of Escherichia coli (E. coli) Population at a Lake Michigan Beach. 110th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, 23-27 May 2010, San Diego, California.
Ge, Z., R.L. Whitman, and M.B. Nevers. 2010. Influence of Onshore and Longshore Currents on Beach Closures. 110th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, 23-27 May 2010, San Diego, California.
Byappanahalli, M. N., R. L. Whitman, and M. B. Nevers. 2010. The nuisance algae Cladophora in the Great Lakes: Potential implications for human and animal health. Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Great Lakes Research and Education Center, Invasive Species Educator Workshop, July 21, 2010; Porter, Indiana.
Whitman, R.L. and M.B. Nevers. 2010. Getting Beach Water Quality Information in Real Time. The Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation Conference: Is the Coast Clear? 20 August 2010. Grand Bend, Ontario.
Whitman, R.L., S.R. Corsi, D.S. Francy, S.K. Haack, M.N. Byappanahalli, J.R. Morris, M.B. Nevers, and S. S. Morrison. 2009. USGS ORPP Beach Health Research Update, September 2009: Improving Great Lakes Coastal Recreational Water Quality Monitoring and Forecasting. State of Lake Michigan/Great Lakes Beach Association Conference, 29 Sept-1 Oct 2009, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Ge, Z., R.L. Whitman, and M.B. Nevers. 2009. Bacteria loading and transport at a beach: a hydrodynamic perspective. State of Lake Michigan/Great Lakes Beach Association Conference, 29 Sept-1 Oct 2009, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Whitman, R.L., M.N. Byappanahalli, S.R. Corsi, D.S. Francy, S.K. Haack, J.R. Morris, and M.B. Nevers. Improving Great Lakes coastal and recreational water quality monitoring and forecasting. 109thGeneral Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, 17-21 May 2009, Philadelphia.
Nevers, M.B. and R.L. Whitman. 2009. Predicting E. coli for large-scale areas: Applications in selected Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin Regions. EPA National Beaches Conference. 20-22 April 2009, Huntington Beach, California.
Whitman, R.L. and M.B. Nevers. 2009. Policies and practices of beach monitoring in the Great Lakes. EPA National Beaches Conference. 20-22 April 2009, Huntington Beach, California.
Byappanahalli, M. N., R. L. Whitman, D. A. Shively, and M. B. Nevers. 2009. A beachshed approach to examining Escherichia coli occurrence along southern Lake Michigan. 31st Annual Conference of the Hawaii water Environment Association. February 3-5, 2009, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Nevers, M.B. 2008. E. coli as an indicator of beach water quality. Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) Project Meeting, 9 December 2008, Gary, Indiana.
Nevers, M.B. and R.L. Whitman. 2008. Summer E. coli patterns and responses along 23 Chicago beaches. American Shore and Beach Preservation Association, 15-17 October 2008, Chicago.
Whitman, R.L., M.B. Nevers, and M.N. Byappanahalli. 2008. Examination of the watershed-wide distribution of Escherichia coli along southern Lake Michigan: an integrated approach. US Geological Survey Interdisciplinary Microbiology Workshop, 14-17 October 2008, Denver, Colorado.
Nevers, M.B. and R.L. Whitman. 2008. Region-wide predictive beach models: Examples for Lake Michigan coastlines along Indiana and Chicago. Great Lakes Beach Association 8th Annual Meeting, 15-17 September, Porter, Indiana.
Whitman, R.L., J.R. Morris, S.R. Corsi, D.S. Francy, S.K. Haack, and M.B. Nevers. 2008. Oceans Research Priority Plan: Improving Great Lakes Coastal Recreational Water Quality Monitoring and Forecasting. Great Lakes Beach Association 8th Annual Meeting, 15-17 September, Porter, Indiana.
Przybyla-Kelly, K., R.L. Whitman, M.B. Nevers, K. Terbush, and K. Husson. 2008. Examination of E. coli fluctuations, sources, and predictive modeling potential at Fair Haven Beach State Park, New York. Great Lakes Beach Association 8th Annual Meeting, 15-17 September, Porter, Indiana.
Whitman, R.L., K. Przybyla-Kelly, D.A. Shively, M.B. Nevers, and M.N. Byapanahalli. 2008 Hand-Mouth Transfer and Estimated Risk from Exposure to E. coli and F+ Coliphage in Beach Sand, Chicago, Illinois. Great Lakes Beach Association 8th Annual Meeting, 15-17 September, Porter, Indiana.
Byappanahalli, M.N., R.L. Whitman, D.A. Shively, W.T.E. Ting, C.C. Tseng, and M.B. Nevers. 2008. Yearlong occurrence and population characteristics of Escherichia coli and enterococci in deep backshore sand of two Lake Michigan beaches. Great Lakes Beach Association 8th Annual Meeting, 15-17 September, Porter, Indiana.
Whitman, R.L. and M.B. Nevers. 2008. Summer E. coli patterns and responses along 23 Chicago beaches. Meeting with the City of Chicago, Department of Environment, 7 May 2008, Chicago, Illinois.
Whitman, R.L., M.B. Nevers, K. Terbush, and K. Strassner. 2007. Linking Stream and Beach Water Quality: Case Studies on Lakes Michigan and Ontario. SETAC North America 28th Annual Meeting, 11-15 November 2007, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Whitman, R.L., J. L. Kinzelman, M.B. Nevers, and L.J. Wymer. 2007. Choosing a bacterial indicator for monitoring beaches: a paired comparison of enterococci and E. coli for assessing recreational public health at seven southern Lake Michigan beaches. State of Lake Michigan/Great Lakes Beach Association Meeting, 3-5 October 2007, Traverse City, Michigan.
Carl, L.M., S.S. Morrison, R.L. Whitman, and M.B. Nevers. 2007. USGS Great Lakes Coastal Beach Health Science. 28 May-1 June 2007, University Park, Pennsylvania.
Whitman, R.L. and M.B. Nevers. 2007. Can recreational water quality be predicted on a regional scale? IAGLR’s 50th Conference on Great Lakes Research. 28 May-1 June 2007, University Park, Pennsylvania.
Whitman, R.L., K. Przybyla-Kelly, D.A. Shively, M.B. Nevers, and M.N. Byappanahalli. 2007. Density and population structure of stream Escherichia coli are influenced by interacting hydrometeorological conditions. IAGLR’s 50th Conference on Great Lakes Research. 28 May-1 June 2007, University Park, Pennsylvania.
Thupaki, P., M.S. Phanikumar, D.J. Schwab, R.L. Whitman, M.B. Nevers, and D. Shively. Sensitivity Analysis of Factors Influencing the Fate and Transport of Fecal Indicator Bacteria in Southern Lake Michigan. AGU (American Geophysical Union) Joint Assembly. 22-25 May 2007, Acapulco, Mexico.
Whitman, R.L., J.L. Kinzelman, M.B. Nevers, and L. Wymer. 2007. Paired Comparisons of Enterococci and E. coli as Recreational Public Health Indicators at Seven Southern Lake Michigan Beaches. American Society for Microbiology, 107th General Meeting. 21-25 May, 2007, Toronto, Canada.
Whitman, R.L., M.B. Nevers, and M.N. Byappanahalli. 2007. Watershed-wide distribution of Escherichia coli along southern Lake Michigan: An integrated approach. Indiana Dunes Research Forum, Purdue University Calumet, Indiana, 30 April, 2007.
Whitman, R.L. and M.B. Nevers. 2007. Occurrence and distribution of E. coli in beachsheds. Presque Isle Beach Sanitary Survey Workshop, 16-17 April 2007, Erie, Pennsylvania.
Nevers, M.B. and R.L. Whitman. 2007. Modeling Beaches in the Great Lakes: Opportunities and Limitations. Presque Isle Beach Sanitary Survey Workshop, 16-17 April 2007, Erie, Pennsylvania.
Nevers, M.B. and R.L. Whitman. 2007. Swimming Advisory Forecast Estimate (Project SAFE): A new approach for predicting E. coli counts at five Lake Michigan beaches. Second National Conference on USGS Health-related Research, Reston, Virginia. 27 February-1 March, 2007.
Whitman, R.L., M.B. Nevers, M.N. Byappanahalli, and D.A. Shively. 2007. Partitioning E. coli within a beachshed. Second National Conference on USGS Health-related Research, Reston, Virginia. 27 February-1 March, 2007.
Byappanahalli, M.N., R.L. Whitman, K. Przybyla-Kelly, D.A. Shively, and M.B. Nevers. Water quality restoration in a Lake Michigan coastal stream. US EPA National Beaches Conference, 11-13 October, 2006. Niagara Falls, New York.
Whitman, R.L., M.B. Nevers, M.N. Byappanahalli, D.A. Shively. Watershed-wide distribution of Escherichia coli along southern Lake Michigan: An integrated approach. US EPA National Beaches Conference, 11-13 October, 2006. Niagara Falls, New York.
Nevers, M.B. 2006. E. coli monitoring activities at the Indiana Dunes State Park. Great Lakes Institute, Indiana Environmental Learning Center, 16 August, 2006. Porter, Indiana
Whitman, R.L., M.B. Nevers, D. Schwab, and M. McCormick. Project SAFE: A New Approach for Predicting E. coli counts at five Lake Michigan Beaches. NOAA Center of Excellence Oceans and Human Health meeting, 24-26 April, 2006. Seattle, Washington.
Whitman, R.L. and M.B. Nevers. Sources, Fate, and Nature of E. coli in Streams and Lakes. University of Iowa and Iowa Department of Natural Resources Seminar, 5 April 2006. Iowa City, Iowa.
Nevers, M.B. Predictive models for E. coli on beaches: Evaluation, Development, and Application. NOAA-University of Michigan Seminar Series, 17 March 2006. Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Nevers, M.B. and R.L. Whitman. Project SAFE: A New Approach for Predicting E. coli Counts at Five Lake Michigan Beaches. NOAA’s Oceans and Humans Health Initiative All PI’s Annual Meeting. 18-20 January 2006, Charleston, South Carolina.
Whitman, R.L. M. Byappanahalli, D. Shively, M. Nevers. Persistence of E. coli and enterococci throughout the year in temperate soils, backshore sands, and a coastal stream of southern Lake Michigan.2nd Annual Sustainable Beaches Conference, 31 October-2 November, 2005, St. Petersburg, Florida.
Nevers, M.B. Vinni Chomeau, Greg Kleinheinz, Colleen McDermott, William Schuster, and Richard L. Whitman. Factors Affecting E. coli Occurrence at Door County, Wisconsin Beaches. State of Lake Michigan/Great Lakes Beach Association Meeting, 2-3 November 2005. Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Whitman, R.L. and M.B. Nevers. 2005. Predicting E. coli concentrations at five Indiana beaches of southern Lake Michigan. 105th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology. 5-9 June, 2005, Atlanta, Georgia.
Whitman, R.L. and M.B. Nevers. 2005. Data analysis for beach contamination source Identification. Beach Contamination Source Identification and Beach Management Techniques Workshop. 14-15 April 2005. Egg Harbor, Wisconsin.
Nevers, M.B. and R.L. Whitman. 2005. Statistical Methods and Results: Chicago and Door County. Beach Contamination Source Identification and Beach Management Techniques Workshop. 14-15 April 2005. Egg Harbor, Wisconsin.
Nevers, M.B. 2005. Fixed and random factors affecting E. coli occurrence at southern Lake Michigan beaches. U.S. Geological Survey Major Accomplishments and Future Directions in Public Health Microbiology Conference. 15-18 February 2005, Columbus, Ohio.
Nevers, M.B. 2004. Factors affecting E. coli counts at southern Lake Michigan beaches. Great Lakes Beach Conference, November 30-December 1, 2004, Parma, Ohio.
Whitman, R. L., M. B. Nevers, G. C. Korinek, and M. N. Byappanahalli 2004. Solar and temporal effects on Escherichia coli concentration at a Great Lakes swimming beach. Great Lakes Beaches Conference. 2004 November 30-December 1, Parma, Ohio.
Nevers, M.B. and R.L. Whitman. 2004. Fixed and random factors affecting E. coli occurrence at southern Lake Michigan beaches. US EPA, National Beaches Conference. 13-15 October, San Diego, California.
Whitman, R.L. and M.B. Nevers. 2004. A Regional Nowcast Model for Southern Lake Michigan Using Data Readily Available to Beach Managers. US EPA, National Beaches Conference. 13-15 October, San Diego, California.
Science and Products
16S rRNA gene sequencing and E. coli for shorelines and the Grand Calumet River, Indiana, 2015, (version 2.0, July 2019)
Data were collected in August and September 2015 for analysis of bacteria communities of the Grand Calumet River and associated shorelines. Water samples were collected on three occasions corresponding to one rain-related (wet) events and two non-rain (dry) events. Water samples were collected in the Grand Calumet River, at the mouth of the river, at offshore locations around the pe
Identify sources of high E. coli concentrations, Grand Calumet River Area of Concern beaches of southern Lake Michigan, 2016-2018
Data were collected as part of a study to identify sources of E. coli contamination at several beaches located in the Grand Calumet River Areas of Concern, located in northern Indiana on Lake Michigan. The study was funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Water samples were collected at each site (Jeorse Park 1, Jeorse Park 2, Hammond East, Hammond West, Whihala West, Whih
Identify sources of high E. coli concentrations, beaches of southern Lake Michigan, 2015
Data were collected as part of a study to identify sources of E. coli contamination at several beaches located in the Grand Calumet River Areas of Concern, located in northern Indiana on Lake Michigan. Water samples were collected at each site (Jeorse Park 1, Jeorse Park 2, Hammond East, Hammond West, Whihala East, and the Grand Calumet River) three times a week for thirteen week
Round goby eDNA survey, evaluation, and laboratory data in Lakes Michigan and Huron 2016-2017
Data included are from a series of field sample collections from Lakes Michigan and Huron, and laboratory mesocosms targeting the round goby fish (Neogobius melanostomus). The round goby is a benthic fish that has heavily invaded four of the five Laurentian Great Lakes. Because it inhabits a variety of substrates, including coastal breakwaters, traditional methods (e.g., trawling%
Real-time nowcasting of microbiological water quality at recreational beaches: A wavelet and artificial neural network-based hybrid modeling approach
The number of beach closings caused by bacterial contamination has continued to rise in recent years, putting beachgoers at risk of exposure to contaminated water. Current approaches predict levels of indicator bacteria using regression models containing a number of explanatory variables. Data-based modeling approaches can supplement routine...
Zhang, Juan; Qiu, Han; Li, Xiaoyu; Niu, Jie; Nevers, Meredith B.; Hu, Xiaonong; Phanikumar, Mantha S. Real-time water quality monitoring at a Great Lakes National Park
Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used by the USEPA to establish new recreational water quality criteria in 2012 using the indicator bacteria enterococci. The application of this method has been limited, but resource managers are interested in more timely monitoring results. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of qPCR as a...
Byappanahalli, Muruleedhara; Nevers, Meredith B.; Shively, Dawn; Spoljaric, Ashley; Otto, Christopher Identifying and eliminating sources of recreational water quality degradation along an urban coast
Restoration of highly degraded urban coastal waters often requires large-scale, complex projects, but in the interim, smaller-scale efforts can provide immediate improvements to water quality conditions for visitor use. We examined short-term efforts to improve recreational water quality near the Grand Calumet River (GC) in the Laurentian Great...
Nevers, Meredith B.; Byappanahalli, Muruleedhara; Shively, Dawn; Buszka, Paul M.; Jackson, P. Ryan; Phanikumar, Mantha S. Environmental DNA (eDNA): A tool for quantifying the abundant but elusive round goby (Neogobius melanostomus)
Environmental DNA (eDNA) is revolutionizing biodiversity monitoring, occupancy estimates, and real-time detections of invasive species. In the Great Lakes, the round goby (Neogobius melanostomus), an invasive benthic fish from the Black Sea, has spread to encompass all five lakes and many tributaries, outcompeting or consuming native species;...
Nevers, Meredith B.; Byappanahalli, Muruleedhara; Morris, Charles C.; Shively, Dawn; Przybyla-Kelly, Katarzyna; Spoljaric, Ashley M.; Dickey, Joshua; Roseman, Edward F. Freshwater wrack along Great Lakes coasts harbors Escherichia coli: Potential for bacterial transfer between watershed environments
We investigated the occurrence, persistence, and growth potential of Escherichia coli associated with freshwater organic debris (i.e., wrack) frequently deposited along shorelines (shoreline wrack), inputs from rivers (river CPOM), and parking lot runoffs (urban litter). Samples were collected from 9 Great Lakes beaches, 3 creeks, and 4 beach...
Nevers, Meredith; Przybyla-Kelly, Kasia; Spoljaric, Ashley; Shively, Dawn A.; Whitman, Richard L.; Byappanahalli, Muruleedhara Prototypic automated continuous recreational water quality monitoring of nine Chicago beaches
Predictive empirical modeling is used in many locations worldwide as a rapid, alternative recreational water quality management tool to eliminate delayed notifications associated with traditional fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) culturing (referred to as the persistence model, PM) and to prevent errors in releasing swimming advisories. The goal of...
Dawn Shively; Nevers, Meredith; Cathy Breitenbach; Phanikumar, Mantha S.; Kasia Przybyla-Kelly; Ashley M. Spoljaric; Richard L. Whitman Wildlife, urban inputs, and landscape configuration are responsible for degraded swimming water quality at an embayed beach
Jeorse Park Beach, on southern Lake Michigan, experiences frequent closures due to high Escherichia coli (E. coli) levels since regular monitoring was implemented in 2005. During the summer of 2010, contaminant source tracking techniques, such as the conventional microbial and physical surveys and hydrodynamic models, were used to...
Byappanahalli, Muruleedhara N.; Nevers, Meredith; Whitman, Richard L.; Ge, Zhongfu; Shively, Dawn A.; Spoljaric, Ashley; Przybyla-Kelly, Katarzyna Evidence for free-living Bacteroides in Cladophora along the shores of the Great Lakes
Bacteroides is assumed to be restricted to the alimentary canal of animals and humans and is considered to be non-viable in ambient environments. We hypothesized that Bacteroides could persist and replicate within beach-stranded Cladophora glomerata mats in southern Lake Michigan, USA. Mean Bacteroides concentration (per GenBac3 Taqman...
Whitman, Richard L.; Byappanahalli, Muruleedhara; Spoljaric, Ashley; Przybyla-Kelly, Katarzyna; Shively, Dawn A.; Nevers, Meredith Beach science in the Great Lakes
Monitoring beach waters for human health has led to an increase and evolution of science in the Great Lakes, which includes microbiology, limnology, hydrology, meteorology, epidemiology, and metagenomics, among others. In recent years, concerns over the accuracy of water quality standards at protecting human health have led to a significant...
Nevers, Meredith B.; Byappanahalli, Murulee N.; Edge, Thomas A.; Whitman, Richard L. Routine screening of harmful microorganisms in beach sands: implications to public health
Beaches worldwide provide recreational opportunities to hundreds of millions of people and serve as important components of coastal economies. Beach water is often monitored for microbiological quality to detect the presence of indicators of human sewage contamination so as to prevent public health outbreaks associated with water contact. However...
Sabino, Raquel; Rodrigues, R.; Costa, I.; Carneiro, Carlos; Cunha, M.; Duarte, A.; Faria, N.; Ferriera, F.C.; Gargate, M.J.; Julio, C.; Martins, M.L.; Nevers, Meredith; Oleastro, M.; Solo-Gabriele, H.; Verissimo, C.; Viegas, C.; Whitman, Richard L.; Brandao, J.
Developing and implementing the use of predictive models for estimating water quality at Great Lakes beaches
Predictive models have been used at beaches to improve the timeliness and accuracy of recreational water-quality assessments over the most common current approach to water-quality monitoring, which relies on culturing fecal-indicator bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E. coli.). Beach-specific predictive models use environmental and water-quality...
Francy, Donna S.; Brady, Amie M.G.; Carvin, Rebecca B.; Corsi, Steven R.; Fuller, Lori M.; Harrison, John H.; Hayhurst, Brett A.; Lant, Jeremiah; Nevers, Meredith B.; Terrio, Paul J.; Zimmerman, Tammy M. Recreational water quality response to a filtering barrier at a Great Lakes beach
Recent research has sought to determine the off- or onshore origin of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) in order to improve local recreational water quality. In an effort to reduce offshore contamination, a filtering barrier (FB) was installed at Calumet Beach, Lake Michigan, Chicago, IL. A horseshoe-shaped curtain (146 m long, 0.18 mm apparent...
Przybyla-Kelly, Kasia; Nevers, Meredith; Breitenbach, Cathy; Whitman, Richard L.
GLSC Participates in Lake Ontario Data Synthesis Workshop with Partners
Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative Data Integration for the 2018 Season in Lake Ontario
Nevers presents research at NPS Coastal Monitoring and Research Symposium
Assessing Cladophora Growth in Lakes Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario
GLSC Partnership Near Indiana Shoreline Receives SWCD Award
Porter County Soil & Water Conservation District received a District Showcase Award as an outstanding district in Indiana.