Introduction

MAREK KIRSAssociate Researcher

We all care about the water quality as our life is dependent on it…

MAREK KIRSAssociate Researcher

Marek Kirs
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We all care about the water quality as our life is dependent on it…

We all care about the water quality as our life is dependent on it—we drink water every day and enjoy the beach when the weather and microbial levels permit. My fascination with water environments and essentially all forms of life started as a freshman in high school. Although I didn’t truly know what the difference between macroalgae and macrophytes was at that time—the underwater world was just overwhelmingly beautiful. I felt the need to protect and share it. That was the beginning of a long and fulfilling academic journey, with some great mentors, into the fascinating realm of microbes. My current research is expansive, from groundwater to surface water environments, with an overarching goal to improve our water quality management programs and public health outcomes in Hawaii and other tropical environments

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EDUCATION 

  • BS, Tartu University (Estonia) 
  • MS, University of Edinburgh (UK) 
  • PhD, University of Rhode Island 

AREAS OF EXPERTISE 

  • Water quality standards 
  • Microbial source tracking 
  • Microbiological methods 

CURRENT PROJECTS 

  • Fecal indicators and associated health risk in Hawaii’s recreational waters: A quantitative microbial risk assessment study 
  • Fecal Indicators and their associated health risk in American Samoa’s watersheds 
  • Microbiological water quality of Oahu beaches 

 

 

RESEARCH PROJECTS

The Biological and Sediment Study on Marine Communities Near the City’s Ocean Sewer Outfalls

Annual biological and sediment studies (benthic organisms, coral reefs and fishes) determine the impact of ocean outfall discharges, if any, on the marine environment. Also, annual fish liver histopathology studies are used to determine the effects of treated wastewater discharge on fish caught near the outfall diffusers.

Fecal Indicators and Their Associated Health Risk in American Samoa’s Watersheds

The goal of this project is to improve surface water monitoring programs in American Samoa by validating methods capable of discriminating between contaminations sources and investigating the health risk association of pathogen indicators in selected watersheds on Tutuila island.

The Microbiological Water Quality of Oahu Beaches

Sampling at Ala Moana Beach
This project evaluates O‘ahu’s microbial coastal water quality. Nine hundred eighty (980) water samples will be collected over a twelve-month period. These samples will be analyzed for the indicator bacteria enterococci and Clostridium perfringens. Molecular tests will be used to identify sources of microbial contaminants when the water quality is compromised.

Evaluation of Pepper Mild Mottle Viruses as a Sewage Marker in Hawai‘i

Watershed and sampling site locations
The goal of this study is to evaluate whether pepper mild mottle viruses (PMMV) can be used to track sewage contamination in Hawai‘i water environments.

Fecal Indicators and Associated Health Risk in Hawai‘i’s Recreational Waters: A Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment Study

Processing samples
The goal of this project is to assess human health risk associated with the current and alternative fecal indicator levels in Hawai‘i’s coastal waters, and potentially support development of an alternative recreational water quality criteria in Hawai‘i, if warranted.

The Microbiological Water Quality of Ko Olina Lagoons

Water samples collected from the four lagoons at the Ko Olina resort.
Good water quality, based on fecal indicator bacteria and nutrient analyses, was observed in all four Ko Olina lagoons over the study period (01/14/19–11/12/19). Dinoflagellate (cf. Gymnodinium) blooms were detected in two of the lagoons. Saxitoxin levels were low in all four lagoons and not associated with the blooms.

Rapid Response: Application of a qPCR-based Test for Enterococci as a Rapid Beach Management Tool in HawaiiRapid Response: Application of a qPCR-based Test for Enterococci as a Rapid Beach Management Tool in Hawaii

Over eight million tourists visit Hawaii every year. Hawaii is ranked third in the US for number of beach visitors and Hawaii’s beaches see heavy use year round.

Addressing Sewage Contamination of Nawiliwili Streams and Kalapaki Beach

SPONSOR: National Institute for Water Resources, Water Resources Research Institute Program PROJECT PERIOD: 3/1/2011 – 2/28/2013 ABSTRACT: The first objective of this project was to train the Center’s new microbiologist and familiarize him with Hawaiian conditions following the 2009 retirement…

Evaluation of Rapid QPCR Method for Enterococci with Correlative Assessment for Molecular Markers for Sewage Contamination in Selected Environmental Water Samples from Hawaii

SPONSOR: National Institute for Water Resources, Water Resources Research Institute Program PROJECT PERIOD: 6/1/2012 – 2/29/2013 ABSTRACT: This project evaluated rapid qPCR test for enterococci and microbial source tracking technology in Hawaii. Tests for current and alternative microbial indicators were conducted in…

Evaluation of Next-Generation Sequencing Technologies for Environmental Monitoring: Characterization of Microbial Communities from Wastewater Plants and Selected Beaches of Hawaii Using a Metagenomics Approach

SPONSOR: National Institute for Water Resources, Water Resources Research Institute Program PROJECT PERIOD: 3/1/2013 – 2/28/2014 ABSTRACT: Microbes are the most abundant and diverse group of organisms on Earth and the major drivers of biogeochemical cycles in all environments. Hence…