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Zambrano KT, Imani M, Cunha DGF. COVID-19 and organisational resilience in Brazil's water sector. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 848:157637. [PMID: 35905969 PMCID: PMC9361783 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157637] [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: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic required a wide range of adaptations to the way that water sector operated globally. This paper looks into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Brazilian water sector and evaluates the water sector's organisational resilience from the lens of water professionals. This study uses British Standard (BS 65000:2014)'s Resilience Maturity Scale method to evaluate organisational resilience in water sector under two defined scenarios of before and during the pandemic. For this purpose, the self-assessment framework developed by Southern Water in the United Kingdom (based on BS 65000:2014), comprising of the core resilience elements of Direction, Awareness, Alignment, Learning, Strengthening, and Assurance, are used for evaluations. A qualitative-quantitative surveying method is used for data collection. A total of 14 responses to the whole questionnaire were received from May 2021 to August 2021, each representing one water company in Brazil (four local companies and ten state-owned ones). The analyses identified COVID-19 as a threat multiplier particularly to already existing financial challenges due to the pre-existing threats in water sector. Bad debt and the COVID-19 emergency measures are recognised as the main challenges by 21 % and 14 % of the survey respondents. The state-owned and local companies scored an almost similar maturity level 3, 35 % and 34 % respectively, while the local companies scored much lower at maturity level 4 i.e., 26 % as opposed to 47 % in state-owned sector. This indicates that COVID-19 has a greater impact on local companies and the needs to increase preparedness. This study replicates an international experience to raise awareness on water sector's resiliency in Brazil and how it can be improved to withstand future external shocks. It sheds light on how and what existing challenges can be exacerbated facing a global shock and proposes opportunities for improvement of resilience maturity in water sector in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Tavares Zambrano
- Department of Hydraulics and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo CEP 13560-590, Brazil.
| | - Maryam Imani
- School of Engineering & the Built Environment, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1SQ, United Kingdom.
| | - Davi Gasparini Fernandes Cunha
- Department of Hydraulics and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo CEP 13560-590, Brazil.
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Al-Hazmi HE, Shokrani H, Shokrani A, Jabbour K, Abida O, Mousavi Khadem SS, Habibzadeh S, Sonawane SH, Saeb MR, Bonilla-Petriciolet A, Badawi M. Recent advances in aqueous virus removal technologies. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 305:135441. [PMID: 35764113 PMCID: PMC9233172 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 outbreak has triggered a massive research, but still urgent detection and treatment of this virus seems a public concern. The spread of viruses in aqueous environments underlined efficient virus treatment processes as a hot challenge. This review critically and comprehensively enables identifying and classifying advanced biochemical, membrane-based and disinfection processes for effective treatment of virus-contaminated water and wastewater. Understanding the functions of individual and combined/multi-stage processes in terms of manufacturing and economical parameters makes this contribution a different story from available review papers. Moreover, this review discusses challenges of combining biochemical, membrane and disinfection processes for synergistic treatment of viruses in order to reduce the dissemination of waterborne diseases. Certainly, the combination technologies are proactive in minimizing and restraining the outbreaks of the virus. It emphasizes the importance of health authorities to confront the outbreaks of unknown viruses in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussein E Al-Hazmi
- Department of Sanitary Engineering, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Gdańsk University of Technology, Ul. Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Hanieh Shokrani
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Azadi Ave., Tehran, Iran
| | - Amirhossein Shokrani
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Azadi Ave., Tehran, Iran
| | - Karam Jabbour
- College of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East, Kuwait
| | - Otman Abida
- College of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East, Kuwait
| | | | - Sajjad Habibzadeh
- Surface Reaction and Advanced Energy Materials Laboratory, Chemical Engineering Department, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), Tehran, Iran.
| | - Shirish H Sonawane
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Warangal, Warangal, 506004, Telangana, India
| | - Mohammad Reza Saeb
- Department of Polymer Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, G. Narutowicza 11/12 80-233, Gdańsk, Poland
| | | | - Michael Badawi
- Université de Lorraine, Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie Théoriques LPCT UMR CNRS, 7019, Nancy, France.
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One-Year Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 Virus in Natural and Drinking Water. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11101133. [PMID: 36297189 PMCID: PMC9609174 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11101133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been detected in wastewater from several countries, monitoring its presence in other water matrices is still limited. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of this virus in natural and drinking water over one year of monitoring (2021). A survey of viral RNA was carried out by RT-qPCR in concentrated samples of surface water, groundwater, and drinking water from different regions of Portugal. SARS-CoV-2 RNA—quantified in genomic copies per liter (gc/L) of sampled water—was not detected in groundwater, but was detected and quantified in samples of surface water (two out of 43; 8035 and 23,757 gc/L) and in drinking water (one out of 43 samples; 7463 gc/L). The study also detected and quantified Norovirus RNA, intending to confirm the use of this enteric virus to assess variations in fecal matter throughout the sampling campaign. The samples positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA also had the highest concentrations of Norovirus RNA—including the drinking water sample, which proved negative for fecal enteric bacteria (FIB). These results indicate that, to protect human health, it is advisable to continue monitoring these viruses, and noroviruses as fecal indicators (FI) as well—especially in low-flow water bodies that receive wastewater.
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Castrejón-Jiménez NS, García-Pérez BE, Reyes-Rodríguez NE, Vega-Sánchez V, Martínez-Juárez VM, Hernández-González JC. Challenges in the Detection of SARS-CoV-2: Evolution of the Lateral Flow Immunoassay as a Valuable Tool for Viral Diagnosis. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:bios12090728. [PMID: 36140114 PMCID: PMC9496238 DOI: 10.3390/bios12090728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is an emerging infectious disease of zoonotic origin that caused the coronavirus disease in late 2019 and triggered a pandemic that has severely affected human health and caused millions of deaths. Early and massive diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients is the key to preventing the spread of the virus and controlling the outbreak. Lateral flow immunoassays (LFIA) are the simplest biosensors. These devices are clinical diagnostic tools that can detect various analytes, including viruses and antibodies, with high sensitivity and specificity. This review summarizes the advantages, limitations, and evolution of LFIA during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the challenges of improving these diagnostic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayeli Shantal Castrejón-Jiménez
- Área Académica de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Av. Universidad km 1 Exhacienda de Aquetzalpa A.P. 32, Tulancingo 43600, Mexico
| | - Blanca Estela García-Pérez
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Col. Santo Tomás, México City 11340, Mexico
| | - Nydia Edith Reyes-Rodríguez
- Área Académica de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Av. Universidad km 1 Exhacienda de Aquetzalpa A.P. 32, Tulancingo 43600, Mexico
| | - Vicente Vega-Sánchez
- Área Académica de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Av. Universidad km 1 Exhacienda de Aquetzalpa A.P. 32, Tulancingo 43600, Mexico
| | - Víctor Manuel Martínez-Juárez
- Área Académica de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Av. Universidad km 1 Exhacienda de Aquetzalpa A.P. 32, Tulancingo 43600, Mexico
| | - Juan Carlos Hernández-González
- Área Académica de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Av. Universidad km 1 Exhacienda de Aquetzalpa A.P. 32, Tulancingo 43600, Mexico
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +52-775-756-0308
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A Methodological Approach to Water Concentration to Investigate the Presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Surface Freshwaters. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11080845. [PMID: 36014966 PMCID: PMC9415985 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11080845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
During the COVID-19 public health emergency, an increasing number of studies reported the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewaters worldwide, but little is known about the presence of the virus in surface freshwaters. The aim of the current study was to develop and validate an appropriate and scalable methodological approach for the concentration and detection of SARS-CoV-2 from surface freshwater samples, collected within the Milan rural network subjected to flood spillways activity. Overall, both surface water and distilled water samples spiked with inactivated SARS-CoV-2 were used to validate the concentration method for pathogens determination. Two pre-filtration systems, filter paper and Sartolab® P20 (Sartorius, Germany) and two concentration methods, two-phase (PEG-dextran method) separation and tangential flow ultrafiltration (UF), were compared. The effects of pre-filtration and concentration on viral nucleic acid recovery were assessed through real time RT-PCR targeting SARS-CoV-2 and the internal viral control PMMoV (Pepper Mild Mottle Virus). Our results showed that UF is more sensitive than the PEG-dextran method in viral acid nucleic recovery from surface water samples. Better results were obtained pre-filtering samples with Sartolab® P20 and extracting the nucleic acids with undiluted silica, rather than diluted as required by the standard protocol. The proposed method will be used for the monitoring of surface waters in the Milan area.
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