Survival trends of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Clostridium perfringens in a sandy South Florida beach

► Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa grow better in sand than seawater. ► Increased bacterial survival found on in intermediate-sized sand particles (850 μm-2 mm). ► Beach sand filters bacteria out of seawater and sustains their growth. ► Water movement over beach sand washes bacteria into shoreline waters. ► Clostridium perfringens does not proliferate in sand or seawater.