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Akita LG, Laudien J, Biney C, Akrong MO. A baseline study of spatial variability of bacteria (total coliform, E. coli, and Enterococcus spp.) as biomarkers of pollution in ten tropical Atlantic beaches: concern for environmental and public health. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:50941-50965. [PMID: 34386920 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-15432-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Coastal water quality in urban cities is increasingly impacted by human activities such as agricultural runoff, sewage discharges, and poor sanitation. However, environmental factors controlling bacteria abundance remain poorly understood. The study employed multiple indicators to assess ten beach water qualities in Ghana during minor wet seasons. Environmental parameters (e.g. temperature, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids) were measured in situ using the Horiba multiple parameter probe. Surface water samples were collected to measure total suspended solids, nutrients, and chlorophyll-a via standard methods and bacteria determination through membrane filtration. Environmental parameters measured showed no significant variation for the sample period. However, bacteria loads differ significantly (p = 0.024) among the beaches and influenced significantly by nitrate (55.3%, p = 0.02) and total dissolved solids (17.1%, p = 0.017). The baseline study detected an increased amount of total coliforms and faecal indicator bacteria (Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp.) in beach waters along the coast of Ghana, suggesting faecal contamination, which can pose health risks. The mean ± standard deviations of bacteria loads in beach water are total coliforms (4.06 × 103 ± 4.16 × 103 CFU/100 mL), E. coli (7.06 × 102 ± 1.72 × 103 CFU/100 mL), and Enterococcus spp. (6.15 × 102 ± 1.75 × 103 CFU/100 mL). Evidence of pollution calls for public awareness to prevent ecological and health-related risks and policy reforms to control coastal water pollution. Future research should focus on identifying the sources of contamination in the tropical Atlantic region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lailah Gifty Akita
- Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 99, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
| | - Juergen Laudien
- Alfred Wegner Institute Helmholtz Centre of Polar and Marine Research, Am Alten Hafen 26, 27568, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Charles Biney
- Ecosystems Environmental Solutions, GD-213-5404, Accra, Ghana
| | - Mark Osei Akrong
- CSIR-Research Institute, P.O. Box M 32, GP-018-964, Accra, Ghana
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Powers NC, Pinchback J, Flores L, Huang Y, Wetz MS, Turner JW. Long-term water quality analysis reveals correlation between bacterial pollution and sea level rise in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 166:112231. [PMID: 33798816 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Long-term assessments are needed to identify water quality trends and their socio-environmental drivers for coastal management and watershed restoration. This study provides the first long-term assessment of fecal bacterial pollution in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico using enterococci data spanning the Texas coast from 2009 to 2020. The data were representative of 66 beaches, 169 stations, and over 75,000 samples. Findings demonstrate that 22 beaches are 'hotspots' of pollution and experienced enterococci levels that frequently exceeded the USEPA beach action value. Further, enterococci were correlated with time, population size, and sea level. Weak correlations detected in some counties highlight the multifactorial nature of water quality; additional factors are likely influencing enterococci levels. The correlation with sea level is concerning, as counties vulnerable to sea level rise frequently reported enterococci concentrations exceeding the beach action value. In consideration of sea level rise predictions, targeted studies are needed to pinpoint drivers of fecal pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole C Powers
- Department of Life Sciences, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, TX 78412, USA
| | | | - Lucy Flores
- Texas General Land Office, Austin, TX 78701, USA
| | - Yuxia Huang
- School of Engineering and Computing Sciences, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, TX 78412, USA
| | - Michael S Wetz
- Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, TX 78412, USA
| | - Jeffrey W Turner
- Department of Life Sciences, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, TX 78412, USA.
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Zeki S, Aslan A, Burak S, Rose JB. Occurrence of a human-associated microbial source tracking marker and its relationship with faecal indicator bacteria in an urban estuary. Lett Appl Microbiol 2020; 72:167-177. [PMID: 33025621 DOI: 10.1111/lam.13405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
One of the main impacts of urban sprawl in rapidly growing countries has been contamination of coastal environments by waterborne pathogens, posing a critical risk to ecosystem and human health. Microbial source tracking (MST) has been a robust tool to identify the origin of these pathogens globally. This study compared the occurrence of a human-associated Bacteroides marker (BT-α) with faecal indicator bacteria (FIB) in an urban estuary (Golden Horn, Istanbul, Turkey). Faecal coliform (culture method), enterococci (both culture and qPCR method) concentrations and physicochemical variables were compared with the BT-α concentrations in monthly collected samples for a year (n = 108). Enterococci concentrations detected by culture and qPCR were positively correlated (r = 0·86, P < 0·01) suggesting that qPCR can be an alternative method for monitoring. BT-α marker was positive for 30% of the samples and positively correlated with enterococci (r = 0·61 and r = 0·64 for culture and qPCR methods respectively, P < 0·01). Rainfall had a moderate positive correlation with all faecal/MST indicators suggesting combined sewer overflows also severely impacted estuarine water quality. The high FIB and BT-α concentrations at upper estuary suggested that faecal pollution mainly originated from the peri-urban settlements around two creeks entering the estuary.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Zeki
- Department of Marine Environment, Institute of Marine Sciences and Management, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - A Aslan
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Environmental Health Sciences, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, USA
| | - S Burak
- Department of Marine Environment, Institute of Marine Sciences and Management, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - J B Rose
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
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Xue J, Zhang B, Lamori J, Shah K, Zabaleta J, Garai J, Taylor CM, Sherchan SP. Molecular detection of opportunistic pathogens and insights into microbial diversity in private well water and premise plumbing. JOURNAL OF WATER AND HEALTH 2020; 18:820-834. [PMID: 33095203 PMCID: PMC9115838 DOI: 10.2166/wh.2020.271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Private well water systems in rural areas that are improperly maintained will result in poor drinking water quality, loss of water supply, and pose human health risk. The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) and opportunistic pathogens in private well water in rural areas surrounding New Orleans, Louisiana. Our results confirmed the ubiquitous nature of Legionella (86.7%) and mycobacteria (68.1%) in private well water in the study area, with gene concentration ranged from 0.60 to 5.53 and 0.67 to 5.95 Log10 of GC/100 mL, respectively. Naegleria fowleri target sequence was detected in 16.8% and Escherichia coli was detected in 43.4% of the water samples. Total coliform, as well as Legionella and mycobacteria genetic markers' concentrations were significantly reduced by 3-minute flushing. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) data indicated that the abundance of bacterial species was significantly increased in water collected in kitchens compared with samples from wells directly. This study provided integrated knowledge on the persistence of pathogenic organisms in private well water. Further study is needed to explore the presence of clinical species of those opportunistic pathogens in private well water systems to elucidate the health risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Xue
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112, USA E-mail:
| | - Bowen Zhang
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, 47306, USA
| | - Jennifer Lamori
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112, USA E-mail:
| | - Kinjal Shah
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112, USA E-mail:
| | - Jovanny Zabaleta
- Department of Pediatrics and Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Louisiana Cancer Research Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112, USA
| | - Jone Garai
- Department of Pediatrics and Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Louisiana Cancer Research Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112, USA
| | - Christopher M Taylor
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112, USA
| | - Samendra P Sherchan
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112, USA E-mail:
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Meena B, Anburajan L, Sathish T, Das AK, Vinithkumar NV, Kirubagaran R, Dharani G. Studies on diversity of Vibrio sp. and the prevalence of hapA, tcpI, st, rtxA&C, acfB, hlyA, ctxA, ompU and toxR genes in environmental strains of Vibrio cholerae from Port Blair bays of South Andaman, India. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2019; 144:105-116. [PMID: 31179975 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 04/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Vibrio species are widely distributed in the estuarine and coastal waters that possess the greatest threat to human health worldwide. In this study it is aimed to isolate and observe the abundance of Vibrio sp. and prevalence of biomarker genes and antibiotic resistance profile of V. cholerae isolated from the Port Blair bays of South Andaman. A total of 56 water samples were collected from the seven sampling stations of Port Blair bays in which maximum number of Vibrio sp. population density (1.78 × 104) was recorded in Phoenix Bay. Among the 786 isolates 57.38% of the isolates were confirmed as Vibrio sp., Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. PCR results revealed that the prevalence of biomarker genes was recorded maximum in the isolates from Phoenix Bay and Junglighat Bay samples. Upon further analysis, it was observed that the prevalence of hlyA gene (215 bp), was found to be the most widespread biomarker determinant in 84.17% of isolates. Major virulence determinants; ctxA, ompU and toxR genes were not detected in V. cholerae isolates from Port Blair bays. Maximum antibiotic resistance pattern was observed in Phoenix Bay isolates and maximum number of V. cholerae isolates was resistance to tetracycline (60.76%). Cluster and Principal Component Analysis were employed to understand the diversity and distribution of Vibrio isolates and its biomarker genes. Upon PCA analysis seasonal influence was not much perceived in Vibrio species diversity in Port Blair bays and the lack of significant difference in the detection of species diversity in this study is due to resemblance in geographical conditions and sources of pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balakrishnan Meena
- Atal Centre for Ocean Science and Technology for Islands, National Institute of Ocean Technology, Port Blair 744103, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India.
| | - Lawrance Anburajan
- Atal Centre for Ocean Science and Technology for Islands, National Institute of Ocean Technology, Port Blair 744103, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India.
| | - Thadikamala Sathish
- Atal Centre for Ocean Science and Technology for Islands, National Institute of Ocean Technology, Port Blair 744103, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
| | - Apurba Kumar Das
- Atal Centre for Ocean Science and Technology for Islands, National Institute of Ocean Technology, Port Blair 744103, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
| | - Nambali Valsalan Vinithkumar
- Atal Centre for Ocean Science and Technology for Islands, National Institute of Ocean Technology, Port Blair 744103, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India.
| | - Ramalingam Kirubagaran
- Marine Biotechnology Division, Ocean Science and Technology for Islands Group, National Institute of Ocean Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, Chennai 600100, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Gopal Dharani
- Marine Biotechnology Division, Ocean Science and Technology for Islands Group, National Institute of Ocean Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, Chennai 600100, Tamil Nadu, India.
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Meena B, Anburajan L, Sathish T, Raghavan RV, Jha DK, Venkateshwaran P, Das AK, Dheenan PS, Vinithkumar NV, Dharani G, Kirubagaran R. Enterococcus species diversity and molecular characterization of biomarker genes in Enterococcus faecalis in Port Blair Bay, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2015; 94:217-227. [PMID: 25798888 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.02.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2014] [Revised: 02/11/2015] [Accepted: 02/19/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
This study was performed to evaluate the abundance and diversity of Enterococcus sp. and the distribution of biomarker genes in Enterococcus faecalis in Port Blair Bay, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Enterococcus sp. densities at the seven sampling stations were highly influenced by tidal fluctuations and season. The distributions and diversities of species varied in the inner and outer regions of Port Blair Bay. Among the 1816 total isolates, the occurrence of fecal Enterococcus was high (1.78×10(4) CFU/100 mL) in Phoenix Bay. Moreover, 67.76% of the isolates were identified as Enterococcus, and the most frequently identified species were E. hirae, E. avium and E. faecalis. Assessments of antibiotic resistance and biomarker genes revealed the maximum occurrence in the Aberdeen Bay isolates. The most prevalent biomarker genes observed in the E. faecalis isolates were gelE and asa1, whereas cyl was not found among the isolates. In silico sequence analysis of biomarker genes of E. faecalis also revealed that they are evolutionarily well conserved with those of earlier reports. Further, multivariate analysis distinguished the JB, PB and OS stations from the other stations according to distinctive microbial densities and compositions. In addition, the Shannon-Wiener diversity indices and box-whisker plots further facilitated and supported the multivariate results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balakrishnan Meena
- Andaman and Nicobar Centre for Ocean Science and Technology, Earth System Sciences Organization-National Institute of Ocean Technology (ESSO-NIOT), Port Blair 744 103, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India.
| | - Lawrance Anburajan
- Andaman and Nicobar Centre for Ocean Science and Technology, Earth System Sciences Organization-National Institute of Ocean Technology (ESSO-NIOT), Port Blair 744 103, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India.
| | - Thadikamala Sathish
- Andaman and Nicobar Centre for Ocean Science and Technology, Earth System Sciences Organization-National Institute of Ocean Technology (ESSO-NIOT), Port Blair 744 103, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
| | - Rangamaran Vijaya Raghavan
- Marine Biotechnology Division, Ocean Science and Technology for Islands Group, ESSO-NIOT, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India, Chennai 600 100, India
| | - Dilip Kumar Jha
- Marine Biotechnology Division, Ocean Science and Technology for Islands Group, ESSO-NIOT, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India, Chennai 600 100, India
| | - Pitchiah Venkateshwaran
- Andaman and Nicobar Centre for Ocean Science and Technology, Earth System Sciences Organization-National Institute of Ocean Technology (ESSO-NIOT), Port Blair 744 103, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
| | - Apurba Kumar Das
- Andaman and Nicobar Centre for Ocean Science and Technology, Earth System Sciences Organization-National Institute of Ocean Technology (ESSO-NIOT), Port Blair 744 103, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
| | - Palaiya Sukumaran Dheenan
- Andaman and Nicobar Centre for Ocean Science and Technology, Earth System Sciences Organization-National Institute of Ocean Technology (ESSO-NIOT), Port Blair 744 103, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
| | - Nambali Valsalan Vinithkumar
- Andaman and Nicobar Centre for Ocean Science and Technology, Earth System Sciences Organization-National Institute of Ocean Technology (ESSO-NIOT), Port Blair 744 103, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
| | - Gopal Dharani
- Marine Biotechnology Division, Ocean Science and Technology for Islands Group, ESSO-NIOT, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India, Chennai 600 100, India
| | - Ramalingam Kirubagaran
- Marine Biotechnology Division, Ocean Science and Technology for Islands Group, ESSO-NIOT, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India, Chennai 600 100, India.
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Salam KW, El-Fadel M, Barbour EK, Saikaly PE. A propidium monoazide–quantitative PCR method for the detection and quantification of viable Enterococcus faecalis in large-volume samples of marine waters. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2014; 98:8707-18. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-014-6023-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2014] [Revised: 08/05/2014] [Accepted: 08/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Ferretti JA, Tran HV, Peterson SJ, Loftin V. Rapid method demonstration project at four New Jersey marine beaches using real time quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2013; 71:51-63. [PMID: 23623653 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.03.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2013] [Revised: 03/22/2013] [Accepted: 03/28/2013] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Real time quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) was used at four marine bathing beaches in New Jersey as part of a demonstration project to evaluate the potential for use of qPCR as part of a routine beach monitoring program. Split sample analyses for Enterococcus spp. using membrane filtration (MF) and qPCR were performed for 11weeks during the summer of 2011 using swimming advisories based on qPCR results. Comparison of qPCR and MF results from split samples indicated that there was an 82% overall agreement rate between the two methods. Results from the qPCR tests were available by noon the same day of sample collection and swimming advisories were posted on a dedicated website. The qPCR method can be more labor intensive and requires a higher level of training to perform, however, qPCR was able to assess beach water quality in a timelier manner compared to conventional MF techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A Ferretti
- Division of Environmental Science and Assessment, USEPA Region 2, 2890 Woodbridge Ave., Edison, NJ 08837, USA.
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Di Cesare A, Luna GM, Vignaroli C, Pasquaroli S, Tota S, Paroncini P, Biavasco F. Aquaculture can promote the presence and spread of antibiotic-resistant Enterococci in marine sediments. PLoS One 2013; 8:e62838. [PMID: 23638152 PMCID: PMC3637307 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0062838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2012] [Accepted: 03/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquaculture is an expanding activity worldwide. However its rapid growth can affect the aquatic environment through release of large amounts of chemicals, including antibiotics. Moreover, the presence of organic matter and bacteria of different origin can favor gene transfer and recombination. Whereas the consequences of such activities on environmental microbiota are well explored, little is known of their effects on allochthonous and potentially pathogenic bacteria, such as enterococci. Sediments from three sampling stations (two inside and one outside) collected in a fish farm in the Adriatic Sea were examined for enterococcal abundance and antibiotic resistance traits using the membrane filter technique and an improved quantitative PCR. Strains were tested for susceptibility to tetracycline, erythromycin, ampicillin and gentamicin; samples were directly screened for selected tetracycline [tet(M), tet(L), tet(O)] and macrolide [erm(A), erm(B) and mef] resistance genes by newly-developed multiplex PCRs. The abundance of benthic enterococci was higher inside than outside the farm. All isolates were susceptible to the four antimicrobials tested, although direct PCR evidenced tet(M) and tet(L) in sediment samples from all stations. Direct multiplex PCR of sediment samples cultured in rich broth supplemented with antibiotic (tetracycline, erythromycin, ampicillin or gentamicin) highlighted changes in resistance gene profiles, with amplification of previously undetected tet(O), erm(B) and mef genes and an increase in benthic enterococcal abundance after incubation in the presence of ampicillin and gentamicin. Despite being limited to a single farm, these data indicate that aquaculture may influence the abundance and spread of benthic enterococci and that farm sediments can be reservoirs of dormant antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including enterococci, which can rapidly revive in presence of new inputs of organic matter. This reservoir may constitute an underestimated health risk and deserves further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Di Cesare
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy.
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