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Lenaker PL, Pronschinske MA, Corsi SR, Stokdyk JP, Olds HT, Dila DK, McLellan SL. A multi-marker assessment of sewage contamination in streams using human-associated indicator bacteria, human-specific viruses, and pharmaceuticals. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 930:172505. [PMID: 38636851 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Human sewage contaminates waterways, delivering excess nutrients, pathogens, chemicals, and other toxic contaminants. Contaminants and various sewage indicators are measured to monitor and assess water quality, but these analytes vary in their representation of sewage contamination and the inferences about water quality they support. We measured the occurrence and concentration of multiple microbiological (n = 21) and chemical (n = 106) markers at two urban stream locations in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA over two years. Five-day composite water samples (n = 98) were collected biweekly, and sewage influent samples (n = 25) were collected monthly at a Milwaukee, WI water reclamation facility. We found the vast majority of markers were not sensitive enough to detect sewage contamination. To compare analytes for monitoring applications, five consistently detected human sewage indicators were used to evaluate temporal patterns of sewage contamination, including microbiological (pepper mild mottle virus, human Bacteroides, human Lachnospiraceae) and chemical (acetaminophen, metformin) markers. The proportion of human sewage in each stream was estimated using the mean influent concentration from the water reclamation facility and the mean concentration of all stream samples for each sewage indicator marker. Estimates of instream sewage pollution varied by marker, differing by up to two orders of magnitude, but four of the five sewage markers characterized Underwood Creek (mean proportions of human sewage ranged 0.0025 % - 0.075 %) as less polluted than Menomonee River (proportions ranged 0.013 % - 0.14 %) by an order of magnitude more. Chemical markers correlated with each other and yielded higher estimates of sewage pollution than microbial markers, which exhibited greater temporal variability. Transport, attenuation, and degradation processes can influence chemical and microbial markers differently and cause variation in human sewage estimates. Given the range of potential human and ecological health effects of human sewage contamination, robust characterization of sewage contamination that uses multiple lines of evidence supports monitoring and research applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter L Lenaker
- U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, 1 Gifford Pinchot Drive, Madison, WI 53726, USA.
| | - Matthew A Pronschinske
- U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, 1 Gifford Pinchot Drive, Madison, WI 53726, USA
| | - Steven R Corsi
- U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, 1 Gifford Pinchot Drive, Madison, WI 53726, USA
| | - Joel P Stokdyk
- U.S. Geological Survey, Laboratory for Infectious Disease and the Environment, 2615 Yellowstone Dr., Marshfield, WI 54449, USA
| | - Hayley T Olds
- U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, 1 Gifford Pinchot Drive, Madison, WI 53726, USA
| | - Deborah K Dila
- School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 600 E. Greenfield Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53204, USA
| | - Sandra L McLellan
- School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 600 E. Greenfield Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53204, USA
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Gamito G, Monteiro CJ, Dias MC, Oliveira H, Silva AM, Faustino MAF, Silva S. Impact of Fe 3O 4-porphyrin hybrid nanoparticles on wheat: Physiological and metabolic advance. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 471:134243. [PMID: 38657506 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Iron-magnetic nanoparticles (Fe-NMPs) are widely used in environmental remediation, while porphyrin-based hybrid materials anchored to silica-coated Fe3O4-nanoparticles (Fe3O4-NPs) have been used for water disinfection purposes. To assess their safety on plants, especially concerning potential environmental release, it was investigated for the first time, the impact on plants of a silica-coated Fe3O4-NPs bearing a porphyrinic formulation (FORM) - FORM@NMP. Additionally, FORM alone and the magnetic nanoparticles without FORM anchored (NH2@NMP) were used for comparison. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was chosen as a model species and was subjected to three environmentally relevant doses during germination and tiller development through root application. Morphological, physiological, and metabolic parameters were assessed. Despite a modest biomass decrease and alterations in membrane properties, no major impairments in germination or seedling development were observed. During tiller phase, both Fe3O4-NPs increased leaf length, and photosynthesis exhibited varied impacts: both Fe3O4-NPs and FORM alone increased pigments; only Fe3O4-NPs promoted gas exchange; all treatments improved the photochemical phase. Regarding oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation decreased in FORM and FORM@NMP, yet with increased O2-• in FORM@NMP; total flavonoids decreased in NH2@NMP and antioxidant enzymes declined across all materials. Phenolic profiling revealed a generalized trend towards a decrease in flavones. In conclusion, these nanoparticles can modulate wheat physiology/metabolism without apparently inducing phytotoxicity at low doses and during short-time exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATION: Iron-magnetic nanoparticles are widely used in environmental remediation and fertilization, besides of new applications continuously being developed, making them emerging contaminants. Soil is a major sink for these nanoparticles and their fate and potential environmental risks in ecosystems must be addressed to achieve more sustainable environmental applications. Furthermore, as the reuse of treated wastewater for agricultural irrigation is being claimed, it is of major importance to disclose the impact on crops of the nanoparticles used for wastewater decontamination, such as those proposed in this work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonçalo Gamito
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Carlos Jp Monteiro
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Maria Celeste Dias
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; University of Coimbra, Centre for Functional Ecology, Associate Laboratory TERRA, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Helena Oliveira
- CESAM, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Artur Ms Silva
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Maria A F Faustino
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Sónia Silva
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
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Wang L, Yin H, Li Y, Yang Z, Wang Y, Liu X. Prediction of microbial activity and abundance using interpretable machine learning models in the hyporheic zone of effluent-dominated receiving rivers. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 357:120627. [PMID: 38565034 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Serving as a vital linkage between surface water and groundwater, the hyporheic zone (HZ) plays a fundamental role in improving water quality and maintaining ecological security. In arid or semi-arid areas, effluent discharge from wastewater treatment facilities could occupy a predominant proportion of the total base flow of receiving rivers. Nonetheless the relationship between microbial activity, abundance and environmental factors in the HZ of effluent-receiving rivers appear to be rarely addressed. In this study, a spatiotemporal field study was performed in two representative effluent-dominated receiving rivers in Xi'an, China. Land use data, physical and chemical water quality parameters of surface and subsurface water were used as predictive variables, while the microbial respiratory electron transport system activity (ETSA), the Chao1 and Shannon index of total microbial community, as well as the Chao1 and Shannon index of denitrifying bacteria community were used as response variables, while ETSA was used as response variables indicating ecological processes and Shannon and Chao1 were utilized as parameters indicating microbial diversity. Two machine learning models were utilized to provide evidence-based information on how environmental factors interact and drive microbial activity and abundance in the HZ at variable depths. The models with Chao1 and Shannon as response variables exhibited excellent predictive performances (R2: 0.754-0.81 and 0.783-0.839). Dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) was the most important factor affecting the microbial functions, and an obvious threshold value of ∼2 mg/L was observed. Credible predictions of models with Chao1 and Shannon index of denitrifying bacteria community as response variables were detected (R2: 0.484-0.624 and 0.567-0.638), with soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) being the key influencing factor. Fe (Ⅱ) was favorable in predicting denitrifying bacteria community. The ESTA model highlighted the importance of total nitrogen in the ecological health monitoring in HZ. These findings provide novel insights in predicting microbial activity and abundance in highly-impacted areas such as the HZ of effluent-dominated receiving rivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longfei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, PR China
| | - Haojie Yin
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, PR China
| | - Yi Li
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, PR China.
| | - Zhengjian Yang
- College of Hydraulic & Environmental Engineering, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, PR China.
| | - Yutao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, PR China
| | - Xianwei Liu
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, PR China
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4
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Poopedi E, Singh T, Gomba A. Potential Exposure to Respiratory and Enteric Bacterial Pathogens among Wastewater Treatment Plant Workers, South Africa. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4338. [PMID: 36901349 PMCID: PMC10002314 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater handling has been associated with an increased risk of developing adverse health effects, including respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses. However, there is a paucity of information in the literature, and occupational health risks are not well quantified. Grab influent samples were analysed using Illumina Miseq 16S amplicon sequencing to assess potential worker exposure to bacterial pathogens occurring in five municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The most predominant phyla were Bacteroidota, Campilobacterota, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Desulfobacterota, accounting for 85.4% of the total bacterial community. Taxonomic analysis showed a relatively low diversity of bacterial composition of the predominant genera across all WWTPs, indicating a high degree of bacterial community stability in the influent source. Pathogenic bacterial genera of human health concern included Mycobacterium, Coxiella, Escherichia/Shigella, Arcobacter, Acinetobacter, Streptococcus, Treponema, and Aeromonas. Furthermore, WHO-listed inherently resistant opportunistic bacterial genera were identified. These results suggest that WWTP workers may be occupationally exposed to several bacterial genera classified as hazardous biological agents for humans. Therefore, there is a need for comprehensive risk assessments to ascertain the actual risks and health outcomes among WWTP workers and inform effective intervention strategies to reduce worker exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evida Poopedi
- National Institute for Occupational Health, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa
| | - Tanusha Singh
- National Institute for Occupational Health, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein 2028, South Africa
| | - Annancietar Gomba
- National Institute for Occupational Health, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
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5
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Bartolomeu M, Monteiro CJP, Fontes M, Neves MGPMS, Faustino MAF, Almeida A. Photodynamic inactivation of microorganisms in different water matrices: The effect of physicochemical parameters on the treatment outcome. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 860:160427. [PMID: 36435255 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater (WW) insufficiently treated for the disinfection of microorganisms, including pathogenic ones, is a source of concern and a possible generator of public health problems. Traditional disinfection methods to reduce pathogens concentration (e.g., chlorination, ozonation, UV) are expensive, unsafe, and/or sometimes ineffective, highlighting the need for new disinfection technologies. The promising results of photodynamic inactivation (PDI) treatment to eradicate microorganisms suggest the efficacy of this treatment to improve WW quality. This work aimed to assess if PDI can be successfully extended to real contexts for the microbial inactivation in WW. For the first time, PDI experiments with 9 different water matrices compositions were performed to inquire about the influence of some of their physicochemical parameters on the effectiveness of microbial inactivation. Bacterial photoinactivation was tested in freshwater, aquaculture water, and seawater samples, as well as in influents and effluents samples from domestic, industrial, and a mixture of industrial and domestic WW receiving wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Additionally, PDI assays were performed in phosphate-buffered saline isotonic solution (PBS), used as an aqueous comparative matrix. To relate the PDI disinfection efficiency with the physicochemical compositions of the different used water matrices, a series of statistical analysis were performed, in order to support our main conclusions. Overall, the results showed that PDI is an effective and promising alternative to traditionally used WW disinfection methods, with a bacterial reduction of >3.0 log CFU/mL in all the water matrices within the first hour of PDI treatment, but also that the physicochemical composition of the aqueous matrices to be PDI-disinfected must be taken into account since they seem to influence the PDI efficacy, namely the pH, with acidic pH conditions seeming to be associated to a better PDI performance in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Bartolomeu
- CESAM & Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Carlos J P Monteiro
- LAQV-REQUIMTE & Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Milton Fontes
- Águas do Centro Litoral (AdCL), 3030-410 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | | | | | - Adelaide Almeida
- CESAM & Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
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6
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Rothman JA, Saghir A, Chung SA, Boyajian N, Dinh T, Kim J, Oval J, Sharavanan V, York C, Zimmer-Faust AG, Langlois K, Steele JA, Griffith JF, Whiteson KL. Longitudinal metatranscriptomic sequencing of Southern California wastewater representing 16 million people from August 2020-21 reveals widespread transcription of antibiotic resistance genes. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 229:119421. [PMID: 36455460 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.119421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Municipal wastewater provides a representative sample of human fecal waste across a catchment area and contains a wide diversity of microbes. Sequencing wastewater samples provides information about human-associated and medically important microbial populations, and may be useful to assay disease prevalence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Here, we present a study in which we used untargeted metatranscriptomic sequencing on RNA extracted from 275 sewage influent samples obtained from eight wastewater treatment plants (WTPs) representing approximately 16 million people in Southern California between August 2020 - August 2021. We characterized bacterial and viral transcripts, assessed metabolic pathway activity, and identified over 2,000 AMR genes/variants across all samples. Because we did not deplete ribosomal RNA, we have a unique window into AMR carried as ribosomal mutants. We show that AMR diversity varied between WTPs (as measured through PERMANOVA, P < 0.001) and that the relative abundance of many individual AMR genes/variants increased over time (as measured with MaAsLin2, Padj < 0.05). Similarly, we detected transcripts mapping to human pathogenic bacteria and viruses suggesting RNA sequencing is a powerful tool for wastewater-based epidemiology and that there are geographical signatures to microbial transcription. We captured the transcription of gene pathways common to bacterial cell processes, including central carbon metabolism, nucleotide synthesis/salvage, and amino acid biosynthesis. We also posit that due to the ubiquity of many viruses and bacteria in wastewater, new biological targets for microbial water quality assessment can be developed. To the best of our knowledge, our study provides the most complete longitudinal metatranscriptomic analysis of a large population's wastewater to date and demonstrates our ability to monitor the presence and activity of microbes in complex samples. By sequencing RNA, we can track the relative abundance of expressed AMR genes/variants and metabolic pathways, increasing our understanding of AMR activity across large human populations and sewer sheds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason A Rothman
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States of America.
| | - Andrew Saghir
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States of America
| | - Seung-Ah Chung
- Genomics High-Throughput Facility, Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States of America
| | - Nicholas Boyajian
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States of America
| | - Thao Dinh
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States of America
| | - Jinwoo Kim
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States of America
| | - Jordan Oval
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States of America
| | - Vivek Sharavanan
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States of America
| | - Courtney York
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States of America
| | - Amity G Zimmer-Faust
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Costa Mesa, CA, United States of America
| | - Kylie Langlois
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Costa Mesa, CA, United States of America
| | - Joshua A Steele
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Costa Mesa, CA, United States of America
| | - John F Griffith
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Costa Mesa, CA, United States of America
| | - Katrine L Whiteson
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States of America.
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Matsui K, Miki T. Microbial community composition and function in an urban waterway with combined sewer overflows before and after implementation of a stormwater storage pipe. PeerJ 2023; 11:e14684. [PMID: 36650829 PMCID: PMC9840855 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
When the wastewater volume exceeds the sewer pipe capacity during extreme rainfall events, untreated sewage discharges directly into rivers as combined sewer overflow (CSO). To compare the impacts of CSOs and stormwater on urban waterways, we assessed physicochemical water quality, the 16S rRNA gene-based bacterial community structure, and EcoPlate-based microbial functions during rainfall periods in an urban waterway before and after a stormwater storage pipe was commissioned. A temporal variation analysis showed that CSOs have significant impacts on microbial function and bacterial community structure, while their contributions to physicochemical parameters, bacterial abundance, and chlorophyll a were not confirmed. Heat map analysis showed that the impact of CSO on the waterway bacterial community structure was temporal and the bacterial community composition in CSO is distinct from that in sewers. Hierarchical clustering analysis revealed that the waterway physicochemical water qualities, bacterial community composition, and microbial community function were distinguishable from the upper reach of the river, rather than between CSO and stormwater. Changes in the relative abundance of tetracycline resistance (tet) genes-especially tet(M)-were observed after CSOs but did not coincide with changes in the microbial community composition, suggesting that the parameters affecting the microbial community composition and relative abundance of tet genes differ. After pipe implementation, however, stormwater did not contribute to the abundance of tet genes in the waterway. These results indicate that CSO-induced acute microbial disturbances in the urban waterway were alleviated by the implementation of a stormwater storage pipe and will support the efficiency of storage pipe operation for waterway management in urban areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuaki Matsui
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Kindai University, Higashiosaka, Japan
| | - Takeshi Miki
- Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Ryukoku University, Otsu, Shiga, Japan
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8
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Rothman JA, Whiteson KL. Sequencing and Variant Detection of Eight Abundant Plant-Infecting Tobamoviruses across Southern California Wastewater. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0305022. [PMID: 36374107 PMCID: PMC9769696 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03050-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Tobamoviruses are agriculturally relevant viruses that cause crop losses and have infected plants in many regions of the world. These viruses are frequently found in municipal wastewater, likely coming from human diet and industrial waste across wastewater catchment areas. As part of a large wastewater-based epidemiology study across Southern California, we analyzed RNA sequence data from 275 influent wastewater samples obtained from eight wastewater treatment plants with a catchment area of approximately 16 million people from July 2020 to August 2021. We assembled 1,083 high-quality genomes, enumerated viral sequencing reads, and detected thousands of single nucleotide variants from eight common tobamoviruses: bell pepper mottle virus, cucumber green mottle mosaic virus, pepper mild mottle virus, tobacco mild green mosaic virus, tomato brown rugose fruit virus, tomato mosaic virus, tomato mottle mosaic virus, and tropical soda apple mosaic virus. We show that single nucleotide variants had amino acid-altering consequences along with synonymous mutations, which represents potential evolution with functional consequences in genomes of these viruses. Our study shows the importance of wastewater sequencing to monitor the genomic diversity of these plant-infecting viruses, and we suggest that our data could be used to continue tracking the genomic variability of such pathogens. IMPORTANCE Diseases caused by viruses in the genus Tobamovirus cause crop losses around the world. As with other viruses, mutation occurring in the virus's genomes can have functional consequences and may alter viral infectivity. Many of these plant-infecting viruses have been found in wastewater, likely coming from human consumption of infected plants and produce. By sequencing RNA extracted from influent wastewater obtained from eight wastewater treatment plants in Southern California, we assembled high-quality viral genomes and detected thousands of single nucleotide variants from eight tobamoviruses. Our study shows that Tobamovirus genomes vary at many positions, which may have important consequences when designing assays for the detection of these viruses by agricultural or environmental scientists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason A. Rothman
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Katrine L. Whiteson
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
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9
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Mahmood Z, Tian M, Field R. Membrane design for extractive membrane bioreactor (EMBR): Mass transport, developments, and deployment. J Memb Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2022.120948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
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10
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de Nies L, Busi SB, Kunath BJ, May P, Wilmes P. Mobilome-driven segregation of the resistome in biological wastewater treatment. eLife 2022; 11:81196. [PMID: 36111782 PMCID: PMC9643006 DOI: 10.7554/elife.81196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological wastewater treatment plants (BWWTP) are considered to be hotspots for the evolution and subsequent spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) promote the mobilization and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) and are thereby critical mediators of AMR within the BWWTP microbial community. At present, it is unclear whether specific AMR categories are differentially disseminated via bacteriophages (phages) or plasmids. To understand the segregation of AMR in relation to MGEs, we analyzed meta-omic (metagenomic, metatranscriptomic and metaproteomic) data systematically collected over 1.5 years from a BWWTP. Our results showed a core group of 15 AMR categories which were found across all timepoints. Some of these AMR categories were disseminated exclusively (bacitracin) or primarily (aminoglycoside, MLS and sulfonamide) via plasmids or phages (fosfomycin and peptide), whereas others were disseminated equally by both. Combined and timepoint-specific analyses of gene, transcript and protein abundances further demonstrated that aminoglycoside, bacitracin and sulfonamide resistance genes were expressed more by plasmids, in contrast to fosfomycin and peptide AMR expression by phages, thereby validating our genomic findings. In the analyzed communities, the dominant taxon Candidatus Microthrix parvicella was a major contributor to several AMR categories whereby its plasmids primarily mediated aminoglycoside resistance. Importantly, we also found AMR associated with ESKAPEE pathogens within the BWWTP, and here MGEs also contributed differentially to the dissemination of the corresponding ARGs. Collectively our findings pave the way toward understanding the segmentation of AMR within MGEs, thereby shedding new light on resistome populations and their mediators, essential elements that are of immediate relevance to human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura de Nies
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg
| | | | | | - Patrick May
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg
| | - Paul Wilmes
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg
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Mahlangu T, Arunachellan I, Sinha Ray S, Onyango M, Maity A. Preparation of Copper-Decorated Activated Carbon Derived from Platamus occidentalis Tree Fiber for Antimicrobial Applications. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 15:5939. [PMID: 36079320 PMCID: PMC9457392 DOI: 10.3390/ma15175939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This study focuses on a greener approach to synthesizing activated carbon by carbonizing Platamus occidentalis tree fibers (TFSA) with 98% H2SO4 at 100 °C. The resulted TFSA was employed as an effective adsorbent for copper ions in aqueous media, yielding copper decorated TFSA (Cu@TFSA). The successful adsorption of copper onto the TFSA was proven through extensive characterization techniques. Herein, the TEM and XPS showed that copper nanoparticles were formed in situ on the TFSA surface, without the use of additional reducing and stabilizing agents nor thermal treatment. The surface areas of TFSA and Cu@TFSA were 0.0150 m2/g and 0.3109 m2/g, respectively. Applying the Cu@TFSA as an antimicrobial agent against Escherica coli ( E. coli) and Salmonella resulted in the potential mitigation of complex secondary pollutants from water and wastewater. The Cu@TFSA exhibited outstanding antimicrobial activity against E. coli and Salmonella in both synthetic and raw water samples. This demonstrated a complete growth inhibition observed within 120 min of exposure. The bacteria inactivation took place through the destruction of the bacteria cell wall and was confirmed by the AFM analysis technique. Cu@TFSA has the potential to be used in the water and wastewater treatment sector as antimicrobial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thembisile Mahlangu
- Green Engineering Research Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, Durban University of Technology, Durban 4000, South Africa
- DSI/CSIR Centre of Nanostructured and Advanced Materials, 1-Meiring Naude Road, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Department of Chemical, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | - Iviwe Arunachellan
- Department of Applied Chemistry, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa
| | - Suprakas Sinha Ray
- DSI/CSIR Centre of Nanostructured and Advanced Materials, 1-Meiring Naude Road, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | - Maurice Onyango
- Department of Chemical, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | - Arjun Maity
- DSI/CSIR Centre of Nanostructured and Advanced Materials, 1-Meiring Naude Road, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Department of Chemical, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
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12
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Rothman JA, Saghir A, Chung SA, Boyajian N, Dinh T, Kim J, Oval J, Sharavanan V, York C, Zimmer-Faust AG, Langlois K, Steele JA, Griffith JF, Whiteson KL. Longitudinal metatranscriptomic sequencing of Southern California wastewater representing 16 million people from August 2020-21 reveals widespread transcription of antibiotic resistance genes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2022:2022.08.02.502560. [PMID: 35982656 PMCID: PMC9387120 DOI: 10.1101/2022.08.02.502560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Municipal wastewater provides a representative sample of human fecal waste across a catchment area and contains a wide diversity of microbes. Sequencing wastewater samples provides information about human-associated and medically-important microbial populations, and may be useful to assay disease prevalence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Here, we present a study in which we used untargeted metatranscriptomic sequencing on RNA extracted from 275 sewage influent samples obtained from eight wastewater treatment plants (WTPs) representing approximately 16 million people in Southern California between August 2020 - August 2021. We characterized bacterial and viral transcripts, assessed metabolic pathway activity, and identified over 2,000 AMR genes/variants across all samples. Because we did not deplete ribosomal RNA, we have a unique window into AMR carried as ribosomal mutants. We show that AMR diversity varied between WTPs and that the relative abundance of many individual AMR genes/variants increased over time and may be connected to antibiotic use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, we detected transcripts mapping to human pathogenic bacteria and viruses suggesting RNA sequencing is a powerful tool for wastewater-based epidemiology and that there are geographical signatures to microbial transcription. We captured the transcription of gene pathways common to bacterial cell processes, including central carbon metabolism, nucleotide synthesis/salvage, and amino acid biosynthesis. We also posit that due to the ubiquity of many viruses and bacteria in wastewater, new biological targets for microbial water quality assessment can be developed. To the best of our knowledge, our study provides the most complete longitudinal metatranscriptomic analysis of a large population's wastewater to date and demonstrates our ability to monitor the presence and activity of microbes in complex samples. By sequencing RNA, we can track the relative abundance of expressed AMR genes/variants and metabolic pathways, increasing our understanding of AMR activity across large human populations and sewer sheds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason A. Rothman
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Andrew Saghir
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Seung-Ah Chung
- Genomics High-Throughput Facility, Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Nicholas Boyajian
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Thao Dinh
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Jinwoo Kim
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Jordan Oval
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Vivek Sharavanan
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Courtney York
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | | | - Kylie Langlois
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Costa Mesa, CA, USA
| | - Joshua A. Steele
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Costa Mesa, CA, USA
| | - John F. Griffith
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Costa Mesa, CA, USA
| | - Katrine L. Whiteson
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
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13
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Díaz-Gavidia C, Barría C, Weller DL, Salgado-Caxito M, Estrada EM, Araya A, Vera L, Smith W, Kim M, Moreno-Switt AI, Olivares-Pacheco J, Adell AD. Humans and Hoofed Livestock Are the Main Sources of Fecal Contamination of Rivers Used for Crop Irrigation: A Microbial Source Tracking Approach. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:768527. [PMID: 35847115 PMCID: PMC9279616 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.768527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Freshwater bodies receive waste, feces, and fecal microorganisms from agricultural, urban, and natural activities. In this study, the probable sources of fecal contamination were determined. Also, antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) were detected in the two main rivers of central Chile. Surface water samples were collected from 12 sampling sites in the Maipo (n = 8) and Maule Rivers (n = 4) every 3 months, from August 2017 until April 2019. To determine the fecal contamination level, fecal coliforms were quantified using the most probable number (MPN) method and the source of fecal contamination was determined by Microbial Source Tracking (MST) using the Cryptosporidium and Giardia genotyping method. Separately, to determine if antimicrobial resistance bacteria (AMB) were present in the rivers, Escherichia coli and environmental bacteria were isolated, and the antibiotic susceptibility profile was determined. Fecal coliform levels in the Maule and Maipo Rivers ranged between 1 and 130 MPN/100-ml, and 2 and 30,000 MPN/100-ml, respectively. Based on the MST results using Cryptosporidium and Giardia host-specific species, human, cattle, birds, and/or dogs hosts were the probable sources of fecal contamination in both rivers, with human and cattle host-specific species being more frequently detected. Conditional tree analysis indicated that coliform levels were significantly associated with the river system (Maipo versus Maule), land use, and season. Fecal coliform levels were significantly (p < 0.006) higher at urban and agricultural sites than at sites immediately downstream of treatment centers, livestock areas, or natural areas. Three out of eight (37.5%) E. coli isolates presented a multidrug-resistance (MDR) phenotype. Similarly, 6.6% (117/1768) and 5.1% (44/863) of environmental isolates, in Maipo and Maule River showed and MDR phenotype. Efforts to reduce fecal discharge into these rivers should thus focus on agriculture and urban land uses as these areas were contributing the most and more frequently to fecal contamination into the rivers, while human and cattle fecal discharges were identified as the most likely source of this fecal contamination by the MST approach. This information can be used to design better mitigation strategies, thereby reducing the burden of waterborne diseases and AMR in Central Chile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constanza Díaz-Gavidia
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
- Millennium Initiative for Collaborative Research on Bacterial Resistance (MICROB-R), Santiago, Chile
| | - Carla Barría
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
- Millennium Initiative for Collaborative Research on Bacterial Resistance (MICROB-R), Santiago, Chile
| | - Daniel L. Weller
- Department of Environmental and Forest Biology, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY, United States
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Marilia Salgado-Caxito
- Millennium Initiative for Collaborative Research on Bacterial Resistance (MICROB-R), Santiago, Chile
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Erika M. Estrada
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Virginia Tech, Painter, Virginia
| | - Aníbal Araya
- Millennium Initiative for Collaborative Research on Bacterial Resistance (MICROB-R), Santiago, Chile
- Grupo de Resistencia Antimicrobiana en Bacterias Patógenas y Ambientales (GRABPA), Instituto de Biología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaiso, Chile
| | - Leonardo Vera
- Escuela Ingeniería Ambiental, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Woutrina Smith
- One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Minji Kim
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Andrea I. Moreno-Switt
- Millennium Initiative for Collaborative Research on Bacterial Resistance (MICROB-R), Santiago, Chile
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jorge Olivares-Pacheco
- Millennium Initiative for Collaborative Research on Bacterial Resistance (MICROB-R), Santiago, Chile
- Grupo de Resistencia Antimicrobiana en Bacterias Patógenas y Ambientales (GRABPA), Instituto de Biología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaiso, Chile
| | - Aiko D. Adell
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
- Millennium Initiative for Collaborative Research on Bacterial Resistance (MICROB-R), Santiago, Chile
- *Correspondence: Aiko D. Adell,
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14
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Li Y, Zhang C, Mou X, Zhang P, Liang J, Wang Z. Distribution characteristics of antibiotic resistance bacteria and related genes in urban recreational lakes replenished by different supplementary water source. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2022; 85:1176-1190. [PMID: 35228362 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2022.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The distribution characteristics of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in urban recreational water from different water-supply sources might be different. In this study, water samples were collected to detect the antibiotic resistance of heterotrophic bacteria to five antibiotics, and the content, phenotype, gene type and species distribution of resistant bacteria were analyzed. The results showed that the changes of bacteria resistance rate in two lakes to five kinds of antibiotics were synchronous with time, and it would reach its maximum in autumn. The detection of ARGs and int I in 80 resistance strains showed that the detection rate of tetG, tetA and int I was high. Here, 51.25% of the bacteria were doubly resistant to AMP-CTX. The 80 isolate strains were of nine genera and 19 species, among which Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Aeromonas veronii, Aeromonas caviae and Raoultella ornithinolytica were the common ARB species in two lakes. Correlation analysis showed that the water temperature was significantly correlated with the content of ARB in sulfamethoxazole (SMZ) and cefotaxime (CTX) (p < 0.05), and the total phosphorus (TP) in FQ lake was significantly correlated with the content of AMP-resistant bacteria (p < 0.05), while there were no other correlations between the changes of other water quality indexes and the content of ARB (p > 0.05).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongqiang Li
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, 710055, China E-mail: ; Key Lab of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, 710055, China
| | - Chongmiao Zhang
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, 710055, China E-mail: ; Key Lab of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, 710055, China; International Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Urban Alternative Water Resources Development, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, 710055, China
| | - Xiao Mou
- Shaanxi Institute for Food and Drug Control, Xi'an, 710065, China
| | - Peipei Zhang
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, 710055, China E-mail: ; Key Lab of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, 710055, China
| | - Jie Liang
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, 710055, China E-mail: ; Key Lab of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, 710055, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, 710055, China E-mail: ; Key Lab of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, 710055, China
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15
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Antibiotic Resistance Genes and Potentially Pathogenic Bacteria in the Central Adriatic Sea: Are They Connected to Urban Wastewater Inputs? WATER 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/w13233335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Despite last decades’ interventions within local and communitarian programs, the Mediterranean Sea still receives poorly treated urban wastewater (sewage). Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) performing primary sewage treatments have poor efficiency in removing microbial pollutants, including fecal indicator bacteria, pathogens, and mobile genetic elements conferring resistance to antimicrobials. Using a combination of molecular tools, we investigated four urban WWTPs (i.e., two performing only mechanical treatments and two performing a subsequent conventional secondary treatment by activated sludge) as continuous sources of microbial pollution for marine coastal waters. Sewage that underwent only primary treatments was characterized by a higher content of traditional and alternative fecal indicator bacteria, as well as potentially pathogenic bacteria (especially Acinetobacter, Coxiella, Prevotella, Streptococcus, Pseudomonas, Vibrio, Empedobacter, Paracoccus, and Leptotrichia), than those subjected to secondary treatment. However, seawater samples collected next to the discharging points of all the WWTPs investigated here revealed a marked fecal signature, despite significantly lower values in the presence of secondary treatment of the sewage. WWTPs in this study represented continuous sources of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) ermB, qnrS, sul2, tetA, and blaTEM (the latter only for three WWTPs out of four). Still, no clear effects of the two depuration strategies investigated here were detected. Some marine samples were identified as positive to the colistin-resistance gene mcr-1, an ARG that threatens colistin antibiotics’ clinical utility in treating infections with multidrug-resistant bacteria. This study provides evidence that the use of sole primary treatments in urban wastewater management results in pronounced inputs of microbial pollution into marine coastal waters. At the same time, the use of conventional treatments does not fully eliminate ARGs in treated wastewater. The complementary use of molecular techniques could successfully improve the evaluation of the depuration efficiency and help develop novel solutions for the treatment of urban wastewater.
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16
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Rothman JA, Loveless TB, Kapcia J, Adams ED, Steele JA, Zimmer-Faust AG, Langlois K, Wanless D, Griffith M, Mao L, Chokry J, Griffith JF, Whiteson KL. RNA Viromics of Southern California Wastewater and Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Single-Nucleotide Variants. Appl Environ Microbiol 2021; 87:e0144821. [PMID: 34550753 PMCID: PMC8579973 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01448-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Municipal wastewater provides an integrated sample of a diversity of human-associated microbes across a sewershed, including viruses. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is a promising strategy to detect pathogens and may serve as an early warning system for disease outbreaks. Notably, WBE has garnered substantial interest during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic to track disease burden through analyses of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA. Throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, tracking SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater has been an important tool for understanding the spread of the virus. Unlike traditional sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 isolated from clinical samples, which adds testing burden to the health care system, in this study, metatranscriptomics was used to sequence virus directly from wastewater. Here, we present a study in which we explored RNA viral diversity through sequencing 94 wastewater influent samples across seven wastewater treatment plants (WTPs), collected from August 2020 to January 2021, representing approximately 16 million people in Southern California. Enriched viral libraries identified a wide diversity of RNA viruses that differed between WTPs and over time, with detected viruses including coronaviruses, influenza A, and noroviruses. Furthermore, single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) of SARS-CoV-2 were identified in wastewater, and we measured proportions of overall virus and SNVs across several months. We detected several SNVs that are markers for clinically important SARS-CoV-2 variants along with SNVs of unknown function, prevalence, or epidemiological consequence. Our study shows the potential of WBE to detect viruses in wastewater and to track the diversity and spread of viral variants in urban and suburban locations, which may aid public health efforts to monitor disease outbreaks. IMPORTANCE Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) can detect pathogens across sewersheds, which represents the collective waste of human populations. As there is a wide diversity of RNA viruses in wastewater, monitoring the presence of these viruses is useful for public health, industry, and ecological studies. Specific to public health, WBE has proven valuable during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic to track the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) without adding burden to health care systems. In this study, we used metatranscriptomics and reverse transcription-droplet digital PCR (RT-ddPCR) to assay RNA viruses across Southern California wastewater from August 2020 to January 2021, representing approximately 16 million people from Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties. We found that SARS-CoV-2 quantification in wastewater correlates well with county-wide COVID-19 case data, and that we can detect SARS-CoV-2 single-nucleotide variants through sequencing. Likewise, wastewater treatment plants (WTPs) harbored different viromes, and we detected other human pathogens, such as noroviruses and adenoviruses, furthering our understanding of wastewater viral ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason A. Rothman
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Theresa B. Loveless
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Joseph Kapcia
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Eric D. Adams
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Joshua A. Steele
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Costa Mesa, California, USA
| | | | - Kylie Langlois
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Costa Mesa, California, USA
| | - David Wanless
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Costa Mesa, California, USA
| | - Madison Griffith
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Costa Mesa, California, USA
| | - Lucy Mao
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Costa Mesa, California, USA
| | - Jeffrey Chokry
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Costa Mesa, California, USA
| | - John F. Griffith
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Costa Mesa, California, USA
| | - Katrine L. Whiteson
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
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17
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Michalska M, Zorena K, Marks R, Wąż P. The emergency discharge of sewage to the Bay of Gdańsk as a source of bacterial enrichment in coastal air. Sci Rep 2021; 11:20959. [PMID: 34697351 PMCID: PMC8546070 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-00390-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this research was to study the presence of potential pathogenic bacteria in the seawater and air in five coastal towns (Hel, Puck, Gdynia, Sopot, Gdańsk-Brzeźno) as well as the enrichment of bacteria from the seawater into the coastal air after an emergency discharge of sewage into the Bay of Gdańsk. A total of 594 samples of air and seawater were collected in the coastal zone between spring and summer (between 2014 and 2018). Air samples were collected using the impact method with a SAS Super ISO 100. The multivariate analysis, conducted using contingency tables, showed a statistically significant variation between the concentration of coliforms, psychrophilic and mesophilic bacteria in the seawater microlayer and air in 2018, after an emergency discharge of sewage into the Bay of Gdańsk, compared to 2014-2017. Moreover, we detected a marine aerosol enrichment in psychrophilic, mesophilic bacteria, coliforms and Escherichia coli. We also showed a statistically significant relationship between the total concentration of bacteria and humidity, air temperature, speed and wind direction. This increased concentration of bacteria in the seawater and coastal air, and the high factor of air enrichment with bacteria maybe associated with the emergency discharge of wastewater into the Bay of Gdańsk. Therefore, it is suggested that in the event of a malfunction of a sewage treatment plant, as well as after floods or sudden rainfall, the public should be informed about the sanitary and epidemiological status of the coastal waters and be recommended to limit their use of coastal leisure areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Michalska
- Department of Immunobiology and Environment Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences with Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine Medical University of Gdańsk, ul. Dębinki 7, 80-211, Gdańsk, Poland.
| | - Katarzyna Zorena
- Department of Immunobiology and Environment Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences with Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine Medical University of Gdańsk, ul. Dębinki 7, 80-211, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Roman Marks
- Institute of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Szczecin, ul. Mickiewicza 16, 70-383, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Piotr Wąż
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences with Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, ul. Dębinki 7, 80-211, Gdańsk, Poland
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18
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Corsi SR, De Cicco LA, Hansen AM, Lenaker PL, Bergamaschi BA, Pellerin BA, Dila DK, Bootsma MJ, Spencer SK, Borchardt MA, McLellan SL. Optical Properties of Water for Prediction of Wastewater Contamination, Human-Associated Bacteria, and Fecal Indicator Bacteria in Surface Water at Three Watershed Scales. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:13770-13782. [PMID: 34591452 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c02644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Relations between spectral absorbance and fluorescence properties of water and human-associated and fecal indicator bacteria were developed for facilitating field sensor applications to estimate wastewater contamination in waterways. Leaking wastewater conveyance infrastructure commonly contaminates receiving waters. Methods to quantify such contamination can be time consuming, expensive, and often nonspecific. Human-associated bacteria are wastewater specific but require discrete sampling and laboratory analyses, introducing latency. Human sewage has fluorescence and absorbance properties different than those of natural waters. To assist real-time field sensor development, this study investigated optical properties for use as surrogates for human-associated bacteria to estimate wastewater prevalence in environmental waters. Three spatial scales were studied: Eight watershed-scale sites, five subwatershed-scale sites, and 213 storm sewers and open channels within three small watersheds (small-scale sites) were sampled (996 total samples) for optical properties, human-associated bacteria, fecal indicator bacteria, and, for selected samples, human viruses. Regression analysis indicated that bacteria concentrations could be estimated by optical properties used in existing field sensors for watershed and subwatershed scales. Human virus occurrence increased with modeled human-associated bacteria concentration, providing confidence in these regressions as surrogates for wastewater contamination. Adequate regressions were not found for small-scale sites to reliably estimate bacteria concentrations likely due to inconsistent local sanitary sewer inputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven R Corsi
- U.S. Geological Survey, 8505 Research Way, Middleton, Wisconsin 53562, United States
| | - Laura A De Cicco
- U.S. Geological Survey, 8505 Research Way, Middleton, Wisconsin 53562, United States
| | - Angela M Hansen
- United States Geological Survey, 6000 J Street, Placer Hall, Sacramento, California 95819, United States
| | - Peter L Lenaker
- U.S. Geological Survey, 8505 Research Way, Middleton, Wisconsin 53562, United States
| | - Brian A Bergamaschi
- United States Geological Survey, 6000 J Street, Placer Hall, Sacramento, California 95819, United States
| | - Brian A Pellerin
- United States Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Dr., Reston, Virginia 20192, United States
| | - Debra K Dila
- School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 600 E Greenfield Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53204, United States
| | - Melinda J Bootsma
- School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 600 E Greenfield Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53204, United States
| | - Susan K Spencer
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 2615 Yellowstone Dr., Marshfield, Wisconsin 54449, United States
| | - Mark A Borchardt
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 2615 Yellowstone Dr., Marshfield, Wisconsin 54449, United States
| | - Sandra L McLellan
- School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 600 E Greenfield Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53204, United States
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19
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Hube S, Wu B. Mitigation of emerging pollutants and pathogens in decentralized wastewater treatment processes: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 779:146545. [PMID: 33752021 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Emerging pollutants (such as micropollutants, microplastics) and pathogens present in wastewater are of rising concern because their release can affect the natural environment and drinking water resources. In this decade, with increasing numbers of small-scale decentralized wastewater systems globally, the status of emerging pollutant and pathogen mitigation in the decentralized wastewater treatment processes has received more attention. This state-of-the-art review aims to discuss the mitigation efficiencies and mechanisms of micropollutants, microplastics, and pathogens in single-stage and hybrid decentralized wastewater treatment processes. The reviewed results revealed that hybrid wastewater treatment facilities could display better performance compared to stand-alone facilities. This is because the multiple treatment steps could offer various microenvironments, allowing incorporating several mitigation mechanisms (such as sorption, degradation, filtration, etc.) to remove complicated emerging pollutants and pathogens. The factors (such as system operation conditions, environmental conditions, wastewater matrix) influencing the removals of emerging pollutants from wastewater in these systems have been further identified. Nevertheless, it was found that very limited research work focused on synergised or conflicted effects of operation conditions on various emerging pollutants naturally present in the wastewater. Meanwhile, effective, reliable, and rapid analysis of the emerging pollutants and pathogens in the complicated wastewater matrix is still a major challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selina Hube
- Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Iceland, Hjardarhagi 2-6, IS-107 Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Bing Wu
- Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Iceland, Hjardarhagi 2-6, IS-107 Reykjavik, Iceland.
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20
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Chandrasekar A, Binder M, Liedl R, U Berendonk T. Reactive-transport modelling of Enterococcus faecalis JH2-2 passage through water saturated sediment columns. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 413:125292. [PMID: 33582469 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The reuse of treated wastewater (e.g. for irrigation) is a common practice to combat water scarcity problems world-wide. However, the potential spread of opportunistic pathogens and fecal contaminants like Enterococci within the subsoil could pose serious health hazards. Additional sources (e.g., leaky sewer systems, livestock farming) aggravate this situation. This study contributes to an understanding of pathogen spread in the environment, using a combined modelling and experimental approach. The impact of quartz sediment and certain wastewater characteristics on the dissemination of Enterococcus faecalis JH2-2 is investigated. The transport processes of advection-dispersion and straining were studied by injecting conservative saline tracer and fluorescent microspheres through sediment packed columns, and evaluating resulting breakthrough curves using models. Similarly, simultaneously occurring reactive processes of microbial attachment, decay, respiration and growth were studied by injecting Enterococcus faecalis JH2-2 suspended in water with or without dissolved oxygen (DO) and nutrients through sediment, and evaluating resulting inlet and outlet concentration curves. The processes of straining, microbial decay and growth, were important when DO was absent. Irreversible attachment was important when DO was present. Sensitivity analysis of each parameter was conducted, and field scale behavior of the processes was predicted, to facilitate future work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aparna Chandrasekar
- Technische Universität Dresden, Institute of Groundwater Management, Bergstraße 66, 01069 Dresden, Germany; Technische Universität Dresden, Institute of Hydrobiology, Zellescher Weg 40, 01217 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Martin Binder
- Technische Universität Dresden, Institute of Groundwater Management, Bergstraße 66, 01069 Dresden, Germany; Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Environmental Informatics, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg, Institute of Geology, Section of Hydrogeology and Hydrochemistry, Gustav-Zeuner-Str. 12, 09599 Freiberg, Germany
| | - Rudolf Liedl
- Technische Universität Dresden, Institute of Groundwater Management, Bergstraße 66, 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Thomas U Berendonk
- Technische Universität Dresden, Institute of Hydrobiology, Zellescher Weg 40, 01217 Dresden, Germany
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21
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Ronan P, Kroukamp O, Liss SN, Wolfaardt G. Interaction between CO2-consuming autotrophy and CO2-producing heterotrophy in non-axenic phototrophic biofilms. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0253224. [PMID: 34129611 PMCID: PMC8205120 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
As the effects of climate change become increasingly evident, the need for effective CO2 management is clear. Microalgae are well-suited for CO2 sequestration, given their ability to rapidly uptake and fix CO2. They also readily assimilate inorganic nutrients and produce a biomass with inherent commercial value, leading to a paradigm in which CO2-sequestration, enhanced wastewater treatment, and biomass generation could be effectively combined. Natural non-axenic phototrophic cultures comprising both autotrophic and heterotrophic fractions are particularly attractive in this endeavour, given their increased robustness and innate O2-CO2 exchange. In this study, the interplay between CO2-consuming autotrophy and CO2-producing heterotrophy in a non-axenic phototrophic biofilm was examined. When the biofilm was cultivated under autotrophic conditions (i.e. no organic carbon), it grew autotrophically and exhibited CO2 uptake. After amending its growth medium with organic carbon (0.25 g/L glucose and 0.28 g/L sodium acetate), the biofilm rapidly toggled from net-autotrophic to net-heterotrophic growth, reaching a CO2 production rate of 60 μmol/h after 31 hours. When the organic carbon sources were provided at a lower concentration (0.125 g/L glucose and 0.14 g/L sodium acetate), the biofilm exhibited distinct, longitudinally discrete regions of heterotrophic and autotrophic metabolism in the proximal and distal halves of the biofilm respectively, within 4 hours of carbon amendment. Interestingly, this upstream and downstream partitioning of heterotrophic and autotrophic metabolism appeared to be reversible, as the position of these regions began to flip once the direction of medium flow (and hence nutrient availability) was reversed. The insight generated here can inform new and important research questions and contribute to efforts aimed at scaling and industrializing algal growth systems, where the ability to understand, predict, and optimize biofilm growth and activity is critical.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Ronan
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Otini Kroukamp
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Steven N. Liss
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Gideon Wolfaardt
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- * E-mail:
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22
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Bray RT, Jankowska K, Kulbat E, Łuczkiewicz A, Sokołowska A. Ultrafiltration Process in Disinfection and Advanced Treatment of Tertiary Treated Wastewater. MEMBRANES 2021; 11:membranes11030221. [PMID: 33804673 PMCID: PMC8003589 DOI: 10.3390/membranes11030221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The paper presents the results of research on the use of ultrafiltration, using membranes of 200 and 400 kDa separation, for disinfection of municipal treated wastewater. The research was conducted on a fractional technical scale using real municipal treated wastewater from two large wastewater treatment plants treating most of the wastewater over the one-million polycentric Gdańsk agglomeration (1.2 million inhabitants). UF 200 kDa and UF 400 kDa processes enabled further improvement of the physical and chemical parameters of treated wastewater. Total phosphorus (to below 0.2 mg/L–UF 200 kDa, 0.13 mg/L–UF 400 kDa) and turbid substances (to below 0.2 mg/L, both membranes) were removed in the highest degree. COD was reduced efficiently (to below 25.6 mgO2/L–UF 200 kDa, 26.8 mgO2/L–UF 400 kDa), while total nitrogen was removed to a small extent (to 7.12 mg/L–UF 200 kDa and 5.7 mg/L–UF 400 kDa. Based on the reduction of indicator bacteria; fecal coliforms including E. coli (FC) and fecal enterococci (FE) it was found that the ultrafiltration is an effective method of disinfection. Not much indicator bacterial were observed in the permeate after processes (UF 200 kDa; FC—5 CFU/L; FE—1 CFU/L and UF 400 kDa; FC—70 CFU/L; FE—10 CFU/L. However, microscopic analysis of prokaryotic cells and virus particles showed their presence after the application of both membrane types; TCN 3.0 × 102 cells/mL–UF 200 kDa, 5.0 × 103 cells/mL–UF 400 kDa, VP 1.0 × 105/mL. The presence of potentially pathogenic, highly infectious virus particles means that ultrafiltration cannot be considered a sufficient disinfection method for treated wastewater diverted for reuse or discharged from high load wastewater treatment plants to recreational areas. For full microbiological safety it would be advisable to apply an additional disinfection method (e.g., ozonation).
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23
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León-Vaz A, Romero LC, Gotor C, León R, Vigara J. Effect of cadmium in the microalga Chlorella sorokiniana: A proteomic study. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 207:111301. [PMID: 32949933 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Cadmium is one of the most common heavy metals in contaminated aquatic environments and one of the most toxic contaminants for phytoplankton. Nevertheless, there are not enough studies focused on the effect of this metal in algae. Through a proteomic approach, this work shows how Cd can alter the growth, cell morphology and metabolism of the microalga Chlorella sorokiniana. Using the sequential window acquisition of all theoretical fragment ion spectra mass spectrometry (SWATH-MS), we concluded that exposure of Chlorella sorokiniana to 250 μM Cd2+ for 40 h caused downregulation of different metabolic pathways, such as photosynthesis, oxidative phosphorylation, glycolysis, TCA cycle and ribosomal proteins biosynthesis. However, photorespiration, antioxidant enzymes, gluconeogenesis, starch catabolism, and biosynthesis of glutamate, cysteine, glycine and serine were upregulated, under the same conditions. Finally, exposure to Cd also led to changes in the metabolism of carotenoids and lipids. In addition, the high tolerance of Chlorella sorokiniana to Cd points to this microalga as a potential microorganism to be used in bioremediation processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio León-Vaz
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Marine International Campus of Excellence and REMSMA, University of Huelva, 210071, Huelva, Spain
| | - Luis C Romero
- Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and Universidad de Sevilla, Avenida Américo Vespucio, 49. 41092, Seville. Spain
| | - Cecilia Gotor
- Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and Universidad de Sevilla, Avenida Américo Vespucio, 49. 41092, Seville. Spain
| | - Rosa León
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Marine International Campus of Excellence and REMSMA, University of Huelva, 210071, Huelva, Spain
| | - Javier Vigara
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Marine International Campus of Excellence and REMSMA, University of Huelva, 210071, Huelva, Spain.
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Viral and Bacterial Fecal Indicators in Untreated Wastewater across the Contiguous United States Exhibit Geospatial Trends. Appl Environ Microbiol 2020; 86:AEM.02967-19. [PMID: 32060019 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02967-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cultivated fecal indicator bacteria such as Escherichia coli and enterococci are typically used to assess the sanitary quality of recreational waters. However, these indicators suffer from several limitations, such as the length of time needed to obtain results and the fact that they are commensal inhabitants of the gastrointestinal tract of many animals and have fate and transport characteristics dissimilar to pathogenic viruses. Numerous emerging technologies that offer same-day water quality results or pollution source information or that more closely mimic persistence patterns of disease-causing pathogens that may improve water quality management are now available, but data detailing geospatial trends in wastewater across the United States are sparse. We report geospatial trends of cultivated bacteriophage (somatic, F+, and total coliphages and GB-124 phage), as well as genetic markers targeting polyomavirus, enterococci, E. coli, Bacteroidetes, and human-associated Bacteroides spp. (HF183/BacR287 and HumM2) in 49 primary influent sewage samples collected from facilities across the contiguous United States. Samples were selected from rural and urban facilities spanning broad latitude, longitude, elevation, and air temperature gradients by using a geographic information system stratified random site selection procedure. Most indicators in sewage demonstrated a remarkable similarity in concentration regardless of location. However, some exhibited predictable shifts in concentration based on either facility elevation or local air temperature. Geospatial patterns identified in this study, or the absence of such patterns, may have several impacts on the direction of future water quality management research, as well as the selection of alternative metrics to estimate sewage pollution on a national scale.IMPORTANCE This study provides multiple insights to consider for the application of bacterial and viral indicators in sewage to surface water quality monitoring across the contiguous United States, ranging from method selection considerations to future research directions. Systematic testing of a large collection of sewage samples confirmed that crAssphage genetic markers occur at a higher average concentration than key human-associated Bacteroides spp. on a national scale. Geospatial testing also suggested that some methods may be more suitable than others for widespread implementation. Nationwide characterization of indicator geospatial trends in untreated sewage represents an important step toward the validation of these newer methods for future water quality monitoring applications. In addition, the large paired-measurement data set reported here affords the opportunity to conduct a range of secondary analyses, such as the generation of new or updated quantitative microbial risk assessment models used to estimate public health risk.
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