Final answer:
To evaluate E. coli risks at Lake Michigan beaches, an infectious disease specialist should collaborate with an environmental scientist or an ecologist, especially those who focus on ecosystem, organismal, community, or population ecology.
Therefore, option B is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
To understand how environmental conditions affect E. coli risk in Lake Michigan, an infectious disease specialist should collaborate with an environmental scientist. Environmental scientists explore both biotic and abiotic factors, such as the relationships between organisms and their surroundings, and have the necessary knowledge to study the complex interactions that can lead to bacterial contamination in water bodies.
An ecologist could also play a vital role in this research, as they study organismal and ecosystem ecology, which involves understanding the dynamics within natural systems. Community and population ecologists, in particular, would have insights into the population dynamics of bacteria like E. coli, especially when the specialists work together to mimic natural settings and apply bioremediation technologies as needed.