Researcher ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5272-4272

Graduation Year

2025

Document Type

Open Access Senior Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Environmental Analysis

Reader 1

Bowman Cutter

Reader 2

Masha Prokopenko

Reader 3

Marc Los Huertos

Terms of Use & License Information

Terms of Use for work posted in Scholarship@Claremont.

Rights Information

2025 Brody C. Eggert

Abstract

This thesis investigates how lagoon flushing influences fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) concentrations—specifically enterococcus bacteria—in the surf zones of East Hampton and Southampton, New York. Focusing on the coastal lagoons of Georgica Pond, Sagg Pond, and Mecox Bay, the study analyzes how episodic inlet openings and environmental conditions affect enterococcus levels at adjacent recreational beaches. Using over 700 observations from the Surfrider Foundation’s Blue Water Task Force (BWTF) database, I construct a series of statistical models ranging from ordinary least squares to mixed effects frameworks; this thesis shows my process in developing this model. My analysis reveals that open inlets between lagoons and the ocean significantly increase surf zone enterococcus concentrations by approximately 35–44%, with lagoon bacteria levels also exhibiting a persistent, positive relationship with beach bacteria levels. Although environmental factors such as wave height and tide had insignificant impacts on surf-zone enterococcus concentrations, their incorporation modestly improves model explanatory power. My findings underscore the critical role of coastal hydrodynamics in water quality management and suggest that targeted monitoring during inlet openings and storm events could improve public health outcomes. This study demonstrates the utility—and limitations—of community science data and statistical modeling in advancing local water quality assessments in under-monitored regions.

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