Beach sand is a habitat that supports many microbes, including viruses, bacteria, fungi and protozoa (micropsammon). The apparently inhospitable conditions of beach sand environments belie the thriving communities found there. Physical factors, such as water availability and protection from insolation; biological factors, such as competition, predation, and biofilm formation; and nutrient availability all contribute to the characteristics of the micropsammon. Sand microbial communities include autochthonous species/phylotypes indigenous to the environment. Allochthonous microbes, including fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) and waterborne pathogens, are deposited via waves, runoff, air, or animals. The fate of these microbes ranges from death, to transient persistence and/or replication, to establishment of thriving populations (naturalization) and integration in the autochthonous community. Transport of the micropsammon within the habitat occurs both horizontally across the beach, and vertically from the sand surface and ground water table, as well as at various scales including interstitial flow within sand pores, sediment transport for particle-associated microbes, and the large-scale processes of wave action and terrestrial runoff. The concept of beach sand as a microbial habitat and reservoir of FIB and pathogens has begun to influence our thinking about human health effects associated with sand exposure and recreational water use. A variety of pathogens have been reported from beach sands, and recent epidemiology studies have found some evidence of health risks associated with sand exposure. Persistent or replicating populations of FIB and enteric pathogens have consequences for watershed/beach management strategies and regulatory standards for safe beaches. This review summarizes our understanding of the community structure, ecology, fate, transport, and public health implications of microbes in beach sand. It concludes with recommendations for future work in this vastly under-studied area.

中文翻译：

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沙滩中的微生物：环境、生态和公共卫生的结合。


沙滩是许多微生物的栖息地，包括病毒、细菌、真菌和原生动物（小沙门）。海滩沙环境的条件看似恶劣，但这里却隐藏着繁荣的社区。物理因素，例如水的可用性和避免日晒；生物因素，例如竞争、捕食和生物膜形成；和营养物质的可用性都有助于微沙门的特性。沙微生物群落包括环境中固有的物种/系统型。异源微生物，包括粪便指示菌 (FIB) 和水生病原体，通过波浪、径流、空气或动物沉积。这些微生物的命运从死亡到短暂的持续存在和/或复制，再到繁衍生息的种群的建立（归化）和融入本地群落。栖息地内微沙门的运输既可以水平穿过海滩，也可以垂直于沙子表面和地下水位，以及不同的尺度，包括沙孔内的间隙流、颗粒相关微生物的沉积物运输以及大颗粒物的运输。波浪作用和陆地径流的尺度过程。海滩沙子作为微生物栖息地以及 FIB 和病原体储存库的概念已经开始影响我们对与沙子暴露和娱乐用水相关的人类健康影响的思考。据报道，海滩沙子中存在多种病原体，最近的流行病学研究发现了一些与沙子暴露相关的健康风险的证据。 FIB 和肠道病原体的持续或复制种群会对流域/海滩管理策略和安全海滩的监管标准产生影响。 这篇综述总结了我们对海滩沙子中微生物的群落结构、生态、命运、运输和公共卫生影响的理解。最后对这一尚未充分研究的领域的未来工作提出了建议。