Environ Dev Sustain (2018) 20:255–269

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-016-9880-x

Effects of beach tourists on bathing water and sand

quality at Puerto Velero, Colombia

Franklin Torres-Bejarano1 • Luis C. González-Márquez2 •

Beatriz Dı́az-Solano3 • Ana C. Torregroza-Espinosa1 •

Rubén Cantero-Rodelo1

Received: 18 April 2016 / Accepted: 27 October 2016 / Published online: 1 November 2016
 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2016

Abstract Fragile coastal areas suffer from human activities. Environmental quality is one
of the most important aspects in a tourist destination of sun and sand. The quality of
bathing water and sand became indicators in the worldwide competition of beach desti-
nations. We studied the water and sand quality along the beach of Puerto Velero, in
northern Colombia. Water and sand beach quality were monitored during thirteen months.
This allowed identifying the most significant sources of pollution along the beach, and
understanding the interrelationship between tourism and the effects on the environment.
Linear correlations allow assessing the association between the number of visitors and the
physicochemical and microbiological parameters. The number of visitors was directly
correlated with the presence of grease and oils, both in water and sand, as well as with fecal
coliforms in water. A relation between the suspended solids and the presence of fecal
coliforms in water and sand was observed. This statistical approach allows understanding
the origin of beach sand and swimming water pollution at tourist beaches. Overall, sand
quality has an important influence and is directly related to the water quality of the beach.
Both the number of tourists and their activities are main factors explaining the contami-
nation of the water and sand. This shows the importance of management of waste and
wastewater in combination with awareness raising initiatives. More research should
include monitoring and evaluating of both water and sand beach and provide data to revise
the existing legal framework.

Keywords Water quality  Touristic beaches  Correlation analysis  Puerto Velero beach

& Franklin Torres-Bejarano

[email protected]
1
Facultad de Ciencias Ambientales, Universidad de la Costa CUC, Street 58 No. 55-66,
Barranquilla, Colombia
2
Universidad de Occidente Unidad Guasave, University Avenue, c.p. 81048 Sinaloa, Mexico
3
Universidad Autónoma del Caribe, Street 90 No. 46-112, Barranquilla, Colombia

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1 Introduction

1.1 Vulnerability of the coastal zone

The coastal zone as the interface between the mainland, the ocean and the atmosphere, is a
dynamic area with many economic activities: fishery and aquaculture, hydrocarbon and
mineral extraction, marine transport and tourism. This diversity of activities puts a strong
pressure on fragile environments in particular on those with a high biodiversity (Lara-Lara
et al. 2008).
Coastal zones are strategically important for economic development. The sand quality is
often threatened by the intense anthropogenic activities, such as the discharge of urban
waste, wastewater and hazardous industrial waste (Lara-Lara et al. 2008).
Therefore, while recognizing the value of the socioeconomic activities for development,
also the degradation of natural resources should be considered. The deterioration of the
natural services these ecosystems provide to key sectors of the economy should be safe-
guarded in a context of sustainable development (Rodriguez and Ruiz 2010).

1.2 Water quality of the beaches

Numerous studies on the causes of tourists’ disappointment reveal that their displeasure
stems from the overcrowding of the destination and environmental deterioration; so the
environmental quality of sun and sand destinations is a highly valued aspect in any coastal
tourist spot (Kozak and Rimmington 1999; Alegre and Garau 2010). The quality of bathing
water and sand became most important indicators in the worldwide competition among
beach destinations (MinCIT 2011). The pollution of coastal water attracted attention
worldwide. Industrial and domestic wastewater discharges release organic and inorganic
waste, which might cause health problems and alter the marine ecosystem (Silva et al.
2007). Beach managers are implementing environmental management programs address-
ing, among others, water use and quality. On water quality, one expects swimmers will
visit and are prepared to pay more for places where their health is not at risk by pollution
(Mercado and Lassoie 2002).
The beach sand is considered a source of water pollution as a result of solid waste and
the wastewater discharges (WHO 1997, cited in Marquez and Rosado 2011). These are
important pollution sources of microorganisms affecting the coastal recreation water.
Studies have shown that microbial contamination is higher in sand than in the adjacent
water (WHO 2003).

1.3 Impacts of tourism on beaches

Coastal qualities influence the decision of tourists in selecting their destination (Burak
et al. 2004). Oceans offer sport fishing, watching marine ecosystems and diving oppor-
tunities, among others. Beaches offer a set of natural attractions for leisure.
The economic importance of tourism increases in most countries during recent decades
(Garcia and Servera 2003). Worldwide, tourism generates 11% of the global GDP, offers
some 200 million direct jobs and moves around 700 million international travelers a year.
These figures increase in a sustainable way and are expected doubling by 2020. Developing
countries face the fastest growth. Nowadays, tourism in coastal areas represents 80% of the
global tourism activity (Mercado and Lassoie 2002).

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Effects of beach tourists on bathing water and sand quality… 257

While tourism is an important source of income for many countries, it is also an

economic sector using and affecting natural resources (Garcia and Servera 2003). More-
over, the sector is constantly searching new and ‘‘virgin’’ natural areas to build resorts,
meeting the increasing demand. The poorly planned growth of these complexes results in
ecological imbalances (Dı́az-Solano et al. 2011). Three main groups of impacts have been
documented: those in which the tourist equipment is the protagonist, highlighting the
impact on sand (Hall and Richards 2000), and habitats located along the coast (Das and
Mukherjee 2008). Those caused by the management of the tourism infrastructure: e.g., by
the generation and management of solid and liquid waste (Amuquandoh 2010), and those
where tourists directly affect the environment (Guerra and Pérez 2008), mainly caused by
the pollution from vehicles in natural areas and water pollution by the use of chemicals
(Lee 2009).
Coastal systems are sensitive to changes caused by mass tourism. The effects are not
limited to the area where they originate, but because of the hydrological dynamics and
other environmental transport mechanisms, they also affect the neighboring areas. Coastal
drift and pollutants transported by wind contribute to introducing invasive, often non-
indigenous species. Poor management of coastal systems intensifies these effects instead of
counteracting or mitigating them (Dadon 2002).
Integrated Management of Water Resource Quality (IMWRQ) affects tourism in a
threefold way: (1) changes of water resources use, (2) long-term protection of the water
quality and quantity and (3) the social aspects to maintain the quality of the resource
(consciousness, stakeholder involvement education) (Hunter 2002; Dı́az-Solano et al.
2011). For water availability and distribution, quality is one of the most important issues,
not only for human consumption, but for all types of water use. Wastewater collection is
incomplete or inadequate in many coastal locations: Water treatment is nonexistent in
others; the sewage treatment capacity of the water treatment plants in the tourism towns is
often insufficient or inefficient, and results in local pollution of coastal water and the
neighboring areas (Dadon 2002).
Tourists have a direct impact on beaches and recreational water (Silva et al. 2007; Dı́az-
Solano et al. 2011): Enterococci fecal bacteria increase during the peak periods of the
tourism season and slightly decrease thereafter.
In Puerto Velero, near the western Colombian port city of Barranquilla, most of these
environmental treats cumulate. The beaches are a favorite tourism destination for the urban
dwellers from a wide area. The region is industrialized and hosts a wide series of economic
sectors. The port of Barranquilla is one of the most important maritime transport knots of
the country. The prevention of contamination with wastewater and the wastewater treat-
ment in the coastal village of which Puerto Velero is part is most limited. This urged
studying the quality of the water and the sand at the intensively used beaches. This paper
uses a statistical analysis to evaluate the effects of tourism on the water and sand quality of
the beach of Puerto Velero.

2 Materials and methods

2.1 Study area

Puerto Velero is located in the north-east of Colombia, in the department of Atlantic. The
study area is part of the Municipality of Tubará, which totals 16.5 km of beaches, most of

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which lacking environmental management. At the confluence of the Magdalena River with
the Atlantic Ocean ecotonal areas, hill-like set-offs, fluvial-marine plains and river plains,
result in interesting and diverse ecosystems (Fig. 1). The beaches are important recre-
ational sites for the inhabitants of Barranquilla, the fourth largest city of Colombia (Osorio
2011; Dı́az-Solano 2015).
22 km of road connects Puerto Velero beach with Barranquilla. Puerto Velero is an
organized, 1.7-km-long, quiet beach, covering an area of 0.25 km2, with relatively limited
numbers of visitors and somewhat more expensive than other beaches in the region.
Usually the visitors drive their own vehicles to the beach area. Very few arrive to swim; the
most popular activity is sun bathing while enjoying the landscape (Dı́az-Solano 2015).
Puerto Velero is a slightly polluted beach. Changes in the water and sand quality by
external agents can, as a rule, be identified. Moreover, this sensitive system also allows
identifying the origin and the source of contamination.
The stable climate is an important biophysical factor, affecting directly (the formation
of) the landscape.
Precipitation The rainfall ranges between 379.0 and 1025.3 mm during the year. The
monthly rainfall varies over the year from 0 to 379 mm. Two seasons exist (Montealegre
2009; Invemar 2010):
Dry period: from the beginning of December until mid- or late April.
Wet period: begins in April and ends early December, with a tendency of decreasing
rainfall in July and August; most of the rain falls in September, October and November.
The torrential rains are short in time.
Temperature It is very constant with an annual average ranging between 25.8 and
28.9 C; absolute maximum records mount up to 39 C, and the absolute minimum tem-
perature is 16 C (http://www.ideam.gov.co).

Fig. 1 Location of Puerto Velero and water sampling sites (Modified from Landsat 8, WGS 1984)

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Effects of beach tourists on bathing water and sand quality… 259

Relative humidity Puerto Velero is a coastal tropical area. The average humidity varies
between 75 and 88%. Inland, higher values are recorded as compared to the coast (IDEAM
2015).

2.2 Measurement campaigns and sampling stations

Water and sand quality parameters as fore seen by the Colombian legislation (which is in
line with other international regulations as this of the European Union) are measured.
The data of water and sand quality were obtained from samples collected during 13
measurement campaigns at two sites. The analyzed physical, biological and chemical
parameters include: acidity (pH), temperature (Temp.), dissolved oxygen (DO), electric
conductivity (E.C.), grease and oils (G.O.), total suspended solids (TSS), turbidity (Turb.),
water color and fecal coliforms (F.C.). According to current Colombian legislation, only
some parameters are regulated for seawater and recreation water. However, it is considered
that among the analyzed parameters are the required to establish the environmental health
and water quality of Puerto Velero beach.
Two sampling stations were selected near the tourist beaches along the coast where
most bathers recreate (Fig. 1). They are 1.4 km away from each other. They are repre-
sentative for an area of 0.25 km2. Station 1: 10560 54.700 N–75020 10.400 W; Station 2:
10570 07.600 N–75010 54.700 W.

2.2.1 Field and laboratory analysis

On Sunday, the beach attracts most tourists. Therefore, sampling took place on a Sunday
once every month. Two samples were collected a day: one in the morning (10 am) and one
in the afternoon (4 pm), during 13 months (from October 2012 to February 2014)
(Table 1). This procedure allows assessing the effects of the dry and the rainy season and
of the peak tourism periods (low and high, midyear and end of the year holidays) (Fig. 2).
In this large bay with a stable, warm climate all over the year, the number of tourists
does not strongly vary throughout the year. Most of the tourists live in the neighboring
Barranquilla, or the nearby municipalities. Figure 2 shows the number of tourists visiting
Puerto Velero during the 13 months under analysis, with an average of 210 visitors
recorded in the morning and 995 in the afternoon. November, December and June are the
months with most visitors, coinciding with the start of the holidays and the high season,
while January, February and May experience the least visitors.
At each water sampling point, a sand sample was collected in an area perpendicular to
the coastline until the bathing or active zone was reached. This zone is the border of sand
closer to the shore of the beach, in unconsolidated soil and dedicated exclusively to the
tourists (Icontec 2011). This point, where the sand sample was taken, is half a minute away
from the bathing zone.
Fifty-two water and sand samples were collected during 13 months, 26 samples at each
sampling station (13 samples in the morning and 13 samples in the afternoon). Water
samples (2 L) were taken at 20–25 m from the shore, at a depth of 30 cm below the water
surface. The sand samples (1 kg) were collected at a depth of 5 cm below the surface of the
beach. All samples were preserved at 4 C while they were transported to the laboratory
prior to analysis. At each sampling moment, the number of tourists on the beach was
counted.

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Table 1 Statistics of the 52 samples data measured in Puerto Velero

Parameter Unit Morning Afternoon Limita

Visitors Range 123–404 609–1384

Mean 209.92 995.31
S.D. 80.56 257.55
pH Range 7.08–8.26 7.07–8.32
Mean 8.03 8.10 5.0–9.0
S.D. 0.32 0.32
Temp. C Range 25.7–30.7 26.55–32.1
Mean 28.55 28.93
S.D. 1.58 1.58
DO mg/L Range 4.28–7.56 4.02–7.73
Mean 5.91 5.85 4.0
S.D. 0.97 0.96
Conductivity ms/cm Range 49.6–55.2 49.5–55.2
Mean 53.75 53.83
S.D. 1.53 1.58
Grease and oil, water mg/L Range 19–557.75 26.745–627
Mean 76.01 253.93
S.D. 145.13 222.61
Grease and oil, sand mg/L Range 15.05–385 19.85–825
Mean 147.08 287.57
S.D. 145.54 311.99
TSS mg/L Range 171.5–1545 114.5–1545
Mean 532.62 519.73
S.D. 430.41 433.91
Turb. NTU Range 3.22–55.20 3.455–27.65
Mean 12.23 12.61
S.D. 13.36 7.19
Color CPU Range 7.5–20 10–25
Mean 11.92 13.85
S.D. 3.97 4.96
Fecal coliforms, water CFU/100 mL Range 0–69.5 3–65
Mean 10.69 17.77 200
S.D. 18.31 17.94
Fecal coliforms, sand CFU/100 mL Range 1.5–88 2.5–77.5
Mean 14.17 17.25
S.D. 24.01 20.85
NTU nephelometric turbidity units, CPU Practical Color Unit, CFU colony-forming units
a
Colombian standards for marine

In situ variables The standard measurements of pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen and
conductivity were performed with a multiparametric equipment WTW-MPP 350.
Physicochemical analysis The physicochemical variables turbidity, color, grease and
oils, and TSS were measured in the laboratory, according to the recommended techniques

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Effects of beach tourists on bathing water and sand quality… 261

1600

1400

1200

1000
# of tourists

800

600

400

200

Morning Aernoon

Fig. 2 Number of tourists at the Puerto Velero beach at sampling time

of the Standard Methods (APHA 1998). The turbidity was measured in situ using the
turbidimetric method with a portable HACH 20100Q turbidimeter; the grease and oil
concentrations were determined with the gravimetric method using a Soxhlet device.
Bacteriological analysis To count the fecal and total coliforms in both the water and sand
samples, membrane filtration was used, according to the guidelines outlined by APHA
(1998), using medium agar EMB (Merck), which is a selective medium for total coliforms
with incubation at 35.5 C, and the medium EC (Merck), for fecal coliforms, incubated at
44.5 C. Counts were expressed as CFU/100 mL.

2.3 Statistical analysis

The normal distribution of the water quality data and the number of visitors was assessed
with the Shapiro–Wilk test, using the Real Statistics Resource Pack software package,
version 3.8 (Zaiontz 2015).
The Spearman correlation coefficient allowed calculating the association between the
parameters that were not normally distributed. This coefficient ranges between -1 and ?1.
Values close to -1 indicate that the variables are strongly inversely associated, while
values close to ?1 indicate that the variables have a strong direct relationship. Near zero
values point to the absence of association (Berthouex and Brown 2002; Restrepo and
González 2007). Statistical significance is reached when p B 0.05.
These linear correlation methods allowed studying the association between physical,
microbiological and chemical parameters of the water and the sand in Puerto Velero.

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262 F. Torres-Bejarano et al.

3 Results

The data obtained on the quality of the bathing water and the sand at the Puerto Velero are
shown in Table 1. The summary of the variables shows that the pH varies only a slightly so
do the temperature and the conductivity. pH is alkaline as expected for seawater. The
observed values were stable; no significant differences between the morning and afternoon
were found, and they are within permissible limits by Colombian standards. In June 2013,
the lowest pH values are recorded (7.1) and this may be due to the rain during that period.
Although the temperature inversely affects the pH and directly the conductivity, the results
do not show a significant variation among these parameters.
The results for grease and oil in water significantly varied over time. Most of the time a
daily (morning compared to afternoon) increase in grease, and oil concentration is found.
There is a clear contribution of these substances by tourism, either by wastewater dis-
charges, or for substances used by visitors (sunscreen, suntan lotion, etc.) and food waste.
Grease and oil in sand follow a similar pattern, but sometimes showing higher concen-
trations. This is because grease and oil adhere to the sand grains using them as supporting
agents. Therefore, they remain longer and the concentration cumulatively increases.
On the other hand, grease and oil and fecal coliforms showed the highest variation.
Fecal coliforms were found at every station sampled during this study, but the concen-
trations do not exceed the Colombian standards, as listed by the law 3930 of 2010 (Mi-
nambiente 2010), which sets a limit for recreational waters of 200 CFU/100 mL (Table 1).
Moreover, fecal coliforms concentrations were consistently higher in the sand than in the
water. The same applies to grease and oil.
Additionally, in June (22.5 CFU/100 mL) and September 2013 the highest values for
fecal coliforms (67.3 CFU/100 mL) were found. But because in this case the contamina-
tion source is not constant, the fecal coliform count decreased between November 2013
and February 2014.
For turbidity values between 3.22 and 55.2 NTU and for color a range between 7.5 and
25 CPU were recorded. These values are fairly high for this type of water. However, this is
in part because Puerto Velero is affected by the sediment plume of the Magdalena River, of
which the confluence is just a few kilometers away from the study area.

3.1 Spearman correlation analysis

Because of the lack of normality of the distribution of most of the analyzed parameters
(except for temperature and dissolved oxygen), a nonparametric analysis was used
(Spearman correlation coefficient).
The results of the Spearman correlation analysis between the number of visitors and the
physical, chemical and microbiological parameters are shown in Table 2. Significant
associations (p \ 0.05) are shown in the shaded cells, while the correlation coefficients are
presented in bold and below the main diagonal.
The analysis shows both positive and negative correlations between the compared
parameters. TSS showed significant negative correlations (p \ 0.05) with grease and oil in
sand, temperature and fecal coliforms in water and sand, and a positive correlation with
dissolved oxygen. Grease and oil in water showed a significant positive correlation with
grease and oil in sand and with the number of visitors. Fecal coliforms in water are
correlated with the number of visitors. Fecal coliforms in water and fecal coliforms in sand
showed a strong positive correlation. Fecal coliforms in sand are also associated with

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Effects of beach tourists on bathing water and sand quality… 263

Table 2 Spearman correlation coefficients for Puerto Velero

G.O. G.O. F.C. F.C.

Visitors pH Temp. DO E.C Water Sand TSS Turb. Color Water Sand
p-values
Visitors 1.000 .417 .596 .467 .599 .026 .030 .401 .058 .104 .031 .060
pH .166 1.000 .468 .514 .153 .831 .058 .793 .960 .768 .979 .687
Temp. .109 -.149 1.000 .034 .013 .090 .191 .010 .723 .551 .010 .010
DO -.149 .134 -.417 1.000 .881 .051 .057 .014 .996 .302 .376 .141
E.C .108 -.288 -.478 -.031 1.000 .931 .647 .936 .812 .779 .966 .632
.044 .339 -.387 -.018 .000 .293 .059 .313 .305 .081
r-values

G.O. Water .437 1.000

G.O. Sand .425 .377 .265 -.378 .094 .667 1.000 .011 .193 .810 .068 .011
TSS -.172 .054 -.497 .476 .016 -.214 -.489 1.000 .692 .148 .021 .019
Turb. .376 -.010 .073 -.001 .049 .375 .264 -.082 1.000 .000 .297 .026
Color .326 -.061 -.123 .211 -.058 .206 -.050 .292 .655 1.000 .717 .173
F.C. Water .424 .005 .498 -.181 .009 .209 .364 -.450 .212 .075 1.000 .000
F.C. Sand .373 -.083 .497 -.297 .098 .349 .493 -.457 .436 .275 .888 1.000

grease and oil in sand and turbidity, while the latter parameter was also significantly related
to the color of the water.
The correlation analysis indicated that the number of visitors in Puerto Velero has a
negative impact on water and beach quality, both directly and indirectly. As the number of
visitors increases, the concentration of grease and oil in water and sand increases on par, as
well as the number of coliforms. Turbidity and water color are indirectly influenced.

4 Discussion

4.1 Water quality

Total suspended solids showed a negative correlation with fecal coliforms (F.C.) in water
(r = -0.45). This indicates that an increase of F.C. in the water and is related to the
decrease of TSS in water, or inversely. Numerous positive correlations between F.C. and
TSS in bay water have been described (see, e.g., Wheeler et al. 2003); however, the
correlations found in this work are different. This difference may be due to the impact of
the Magdalena River, which brings large amounts of TSS to the coastal area of the Atlantic
department (Higgins et al. 2016). As F.C. adsorb to the suspended particles (Krometis et al.
2007), the TSS of the river remove them from the water, and when they deposit, a decrease
in the concentration of F.C. in water is the result.
A strong correlation between the color of the water and the turbidity was found. Tur-
bidity is the result of fine suspended materials, including organic and inorganic particles
such as clay, silt or plankton (Marquis 2005). They decrease the transparency of the water
and affect the transmittance and the absorption of the light. This explains the association
(and even the dependence) between the turbidity and the color of the water. Turbidity is
related to particle size and influenced by the color of the particles (Malcolm 1985).
However, the color is not a good indicator of turbidity, in contrast with the particulate
matter as mentioned before. This coincides with the observations that the vertical atten-
uation coefficient of light is directly proportional to the value of Forel-Uhle (water color)
and inversely proportional to the transparency (Strickland 1958; Buesa 1979).

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Fecal contamination has been, and still is, the main health risk in bathing water, as it
indicates exposure to pathogens. Therefore, the sanitary control of microbiological hazards
is important and should focus on basic sanitary and environmental hygiene measures
(Marin et al. 2004).
Coliform bacteria are often an indicator that the water is contaminated with sewage or
fecal waste. Usually, coliform bacteria are more abundant in the surface layers of the water
and in the bottom sediments. Consequently, their presence in the water usually indicates
their occurrence in the water–sand interphase and vice versa (Munn 2004). Another pos-
sible cause is related to the correlation between turbidity, TSS and color. This can be
linked with beach tourist activities, and the resuspension of sediments by bathers, which
increases the concentration of fecal microorganisms in the water (Graczyk et al. 2010).
In surface water, almost all forms of aquatic life use dissolved oxygen. This is why this
parameter is typically measured to assess the ‘‘health’’ status of a water body. The mini-
mum acceptable level of DO in natural marine and recreational waters is 4.0 mg/L
according to the Colombian standards (Act 1594, 1984). The concentrations of DO in
Puerto Velero comply with this standard.
The behavior and concentration of dissolved oxygen in surface water are controlled by
temperature. An inverse relationship between temperature and dissolved oxygen is
observed (Table 2), which is attributed to the effect of the seasons. The inverse relationship
between temperature and dissolved oxygen is a natural process because warmer water
becomes more easily saturated with oxygen and retains less dissolved oxygen (Shrestha
and Kazama 2006). The concentration of dissolved oxygen of Puerto Velero beach is
controlled by temperature and shows a seasonal cycle. The reason for this inverse rela-
tionship between dissolved oxygen and temperature is that the solubility of a gas in a liquid
is an equilibrium phenomenon.

4.2 Water–sand interactions

The correlation between grease and oil in water and grease and oil in sand (r = 0.67) could
point to the use of motor vehicles on water, a number of them sports related. They release
grease and oil in the water in the morning. Later on, the waves deposit the substance on the
sand. Such a correlation indicates that the activities of the visitors influence the beach and
the water quality more than the number or the concentration of tourists.
TSS in water also showed a negative correlation with fecal coliforms (F.C.) in sand
(r = -0.46). The TSS the Magdalena River provides contributes to the decreasing con-
centrations of F.C. in the sand, under the assumption that the TSS from the river contain
less F.C. than the TSS in the bay.
Fecal bacteria were found in the bathing water and in the sand. Moreover, a strong
correlation between these two variables was found (r = 0.89). This is the result of tourism
and the pollution it generates. The correlation points to the mismanagement of wastewater
from restaurants, bars or public bathrooms, as well as from solid waste littered on the
beach.
Furthermore, the results suggest that the sand is an important fecal coliform reservoir,
which affects the water quality of the beaches. The interaction between the waves and the
beach results in a constant exchange of particulate matter between water and sand. The
transport and exchange of particles affect the transparency of the water, and the concen-
tration of coliform bacteria both in the water and in the sand. As the turbidity is positively
correlated with the concentration of coliform bacteria in the sand (r = 0.44), this

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Effects of beach tourists on bathing water and sand quality… 265

parameter may be used as an indicator of fecal coliforms in the bathing zone of Puerto
Velero beach (Bonilla et al. 2007; Phillips et al. 2011).
The direct association between fecal coliforms in the sand and in water (r = 0.89) is
also an indicator of anthropogenic beach activities. The environmental tourism literature
describes many cases of correlations between fecal contamination in sand and water
(Shibata et al. 2004; Alm et al. 2003), as well as with swimmers (Graczyk et al. 2010).
Tovar-Sánchez et al. (2013) described how sunscreen products tend to be more con-
centrated in the surface water layer and to accumulate in soils and particles. Also they
described how levels of chemicals used in the commercial sunscreens vary throughout the
day. The highest concentrations were found between 14 and 18 h, coinciding with the peak
moments at the beaches and with periods of maximum solar radiation.
The results in this work showed a strong and direct (p \ 0.01) relationship between the
grease and oil in sand with TSS. This suggests that on the Puerto Velero beach, pollution
sources of grease and oil in sand and TSS may be related, e.g., with food, sunscreen creams
use, and inadequate disposal of wastewater. This is also proportional to the number of
visitors on the beach.
The correlation between grease and oil in the sand and fecal coliforms in the same
medium (r = 0.49) is strong and direct. This relation is closely linked to the presence of
tourists. On beaches, humans act as a pollution source. Castor and Beach (2004) showed
that an average individual has 0.14 g of fecal matter around the anus and a child can have
up to 10 g. In contact with water, this fecal matter is diluted and turns into pollution.
Waves deposit the contaminants on the sand of the beach.
Also Hurtado et al. (2009) relate these parameters with the habits of the visitors. They
refer to the hydrospheric component, such as pouring of hydrocarbons, decrease in dis-
solved oxygen, pH variations, increased concentration of suspended solids, concentration
of pathogens and the increased concentration of grease and oils.
The direct association between fecal coliforms in the sand and fecal coliforms in the
water might also point to anthropogenic activities near the beaches. Multiple cases of
correlation between fecal contamination in water and sand and tourism development
(Shibata et al. 2004; Alm et al. 2003) as well as with bathers have been described (Graczyk
et al. 2010).

4.3 Beach quality and tourist interactions

The number of visitors is directly related to the use of creams and tanning oils. Grease and
oil from food waste or industrial products (cooking oil, suntan lotions, lubricants, etc.) are
difficult to metabolize by bacteria and float on the water forming films. The waves deposit
these substances on the beach.
The statistical analysis shows a positive correlation between the number of visitors and
grease and oil in water and sand. This is likely related to the use of creams, suntan lotions
and sunblock lotions prior to bathing. Nicolopoulou-Stamati et al. (2016) described cos-
metic ingredients as emerging pollutants; although their environmental monitoring is at a
very early stage, it is known that they reach the environment along multiple routes, often
through water, posing health risks to marine and freshwater ecosystems and to humans.
These creams are a significant source of organic and inorganic chemical contaminants that
may influence the ecology of the beaches. The organic contaminants, their metabolites and
their degradation compounds have different physicochemical properties that affect their
fate, behavior and transport in natural ecosystems. For instance, they can undergo

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hydrolysis, and photolysis induced by sunlight (Nicolopoulou-Stamati et al. 2016).

Moreover, quite a number of them have hormone mimicking properties.
A positive correlation was also found between the number of visitors and fecal col-
iforms in water (r = 0.42); as the number of people on the beach increased, the concen-
tration of fecal coliform (CFU) increased. This may be due to the misuse of the beaches by
bathers: The wastewater from public toilets near the beach directly or indirectly reaches the
ocean water. Also the lack of awareness on solid waste and sewage collection and disposal
affects the quality of water and sand on these beaches (Torres-Bejarano et al. 2014).

5 Conclusions

This work takes a realistic approach considering the parameters ‘‘tourist load’’ and
‘‘physicochemical sampling.’’ This allows recommending targets of water quality in
decisions on the management of bathing water and sand. The results provide a basis for
implementing control and remediation programs at the Puerto Velero beach. Installing two
parameters (tourist load and physicochemical sampling) provides an automatic and new-
fangled mechanism which guarantees minimum levels of scientific rigor in measuring
environmental quality.
The results show that although fecal coliforms were detected in water and sand, none of
the concentrations exceeded permissible levels by Colombian standards. While the pres-
ence of coliforms in water and sand is a concern, Puerto Velero beach meets the criteria for
recreation water.
One of the important findings of this study is that the sand quality is influenced by and
directly related to the water quality of the beach. When higher levels of grease and oils and
fecal coliforms in the sand are detected, higher concentrations are also found in the water.
This study also shows that the number of tourists is just one of the main factors
explaining the contamination of the water and sand on the beaches. Another determining
aspect is the activity and behavior of people in combination with the environmental
management at the beach. For example, the use of motor vehicles increases the content of
grease and oils in water, or an inefficient wastewater disposal system significantly affects
the concentration of fecal coliforms.
The statistical methods used in this study allow describing and understanding the impact
of the use of beaches and the origin of the contamination. This calls for preventive
managerial measures and regulations, influencing timely the environmental and physical
quality of the beach.

5.1 Recommendations

Efforts should be made to implement awareness programs for both the tourists and service
providers regarding the environmental hygiene at the beach. An integrated management of
the tourist destination is indicated and mandatory. Tourism impact on the environment
goes beyond the stay of the beach tourists. It also entails a set of services that support the
viability of the tourist experience. To achieve appropriate conditions of tourist destinations,
legal frameworks for managing the environmental quality of beaches are required.
More research on monitoring and evaluating both water and sand quality should support
a revision of the existing legal framework. Systematical monitoring programs of the
bathing water and sand on the beach must be implemented. All monitoring programs

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Effects of beach tourists on bathing water and sand quality… 267

should be subject to spatial, environmental and socioeconomic considerations, including

physicochemical, biological and socioeconomic parameters as indicators of ecosystem
health. Furthermore, the impacts of tourists should be continuously monitored, not only to
protect the welfare of the community, but also to ensure the sustainability of the tourism
product quality.
These monitoring programs will be useful to determine appropriate conservation
measures and provide a framework for sustainable management of tourism resources and
increase the knowledge about the structure, functioning and composition of ecosystems.
This knowledge is a basis developing best practices for conservation and management of
the beaches.
Good services and an acceptable environmental quality on and near the beaches will
benefit from programs of efficient water use and management of solid and liquid waste,
preventing the water and sand degradation.

Acknowledgements The authors thank Erika Arbelaez, coordinator of the Laboratory of Sciences and
Environmental Technologies (CITA) of the Universidad de la Costa, for her continued support during the
sampling and chemical analysis campaigns.

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