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Anastopoulou Z, Kotsiri Z, Chorti-Tripsa E, Fokas R, Vantarakis A. Urban Wastewater-Based Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 Virus: A Two-Year Study Conducted in City of Patras, Greece. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2024:10.1007/s12560-024-09601-7. [PMID: 38829460 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-024-09601-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology, during the COVID-19 pandemic years, has been applied as a complementary approach, worldwide, for tracking SARS-CoV-2 virus into the community and used as an early warning of the prevalence of COVID-19 infection. The present study presents the results of the 2-year surveillance project, in the city of Patras, Greece. The purpose of the study was to monitor SARS-CoV-2 and implement WBE as an early warning method of monitoring Public Health impact. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 was determined and quantified in 310 samples using RT-qPCR assays. For the years 2022 and 2023, 93.5% and 78.7% of samples were found positive, respectively. Comparison of detection methods have been conducted to select the method with the highest recovery of the viral load. A seasonal variation of the virus was recorded, showing a recession in summer months confirming the country's epidemiological data as indicated by positive correlation of wastewater viral load with registered cases of COVID-19 infections during these years (p < 0.05) and moreover sealed with a significant negative correlation observed with Daily Average (p < 0.01) and Daily Maximum Temperature (p < 0.01). More research was carried out to elucidate a possible association of physicochemical characteristics of wastewater with viral load showing positive correlation with Chlorides (p < 0.01) advocating possible increased use of chlorine-based disinfectants and Electrical Conductivity (p < 0.01) indicates that wastewater during periods of increased infections is more heavily loaded with ions from chemical and biological pollutants. No correlation found with rainfall and physicochemical indicators, such as COD, BOD5, Total Phosphorus, Total Nitrogen, and Total Suspended Solids. According to the findings, WBE represents a useful tool in the management of epidemics based on an environmental approach and it can also shed light on the interacting parameters that capture Public Health since any infections that may lead to epidemics lead to a parallel change in the use of pharmaceuticals, antimicrobials, disinfectants, and microbial load in urban wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoi Anastopoulou
- Department of Medicine, Environmental Microbiology Unit, Department of Public Health, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.
| | - Zoi Kotsiri
- Department of Medicine, Environmental Microbiology Unit, Department of Public Health, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Eleftheria Chorti-Tripsa
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, University of Thrace, Alexandroupoli, Greece
| | - Rafail Fokas
- Department of Medicine, Environmental Microbiology Unit, Department of Public Health, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Apostolos Vantarakis
- Department of Medicine, Environmental Microbiology Unit, Department of Public Health, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
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2
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Starke JC, Bell NS, Martinez CM, Friberg IK, Lawley C, Sriskantharajah V, Hirschberg DL. Measuring SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations in neighborhood wastewater. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 926:172021. [PMID: 38552966 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172021] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Longitudinal wastewater sampling during the COVID-19 pandemic was an important aspect of disease surveillance, adding to a more complete understanding of infection dynamics and providing important data for community public health monitoring and intervention planning. This was largely accomplished by testing SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations in samples from municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). We evaluated the utility of testing for virus levels upstream from WWTP within the residential neighborhoods that feed into the WWTP. We propose that monitoring virus dynamics across residential neighborhoods could reveal important public health-relevant information about community sub-group heterogeneity in virus concentrations. PRINCIPAL RESULTS: Virus concentration patterns display heterogeneity within neighborhoods and between neighborhoods over time. Sewage SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations as measured by RT-qPCR also corresponded closely to verified COVID-19 infection counts within individual neighborhoods. More importantly, our data suggest the loss of disease-relevant public health information when sampling occurs only at the level of WWTP instead of upstream in neighborhoods. Spikes in SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations in neighborhoods are often masked by dilution from other neighborhoods in the WWTP samples. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS: Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) employed at WWTP reliably detects SARS-CoV-2 in a city-sized population but provides less actionable public health information about neighborhoods experiencing greater viral infection and disease. Neighborhood sewershed sampling reveals important population-based information about local virus dynamics and improves opportunities for public health intervention. Longitudinally employed, neighborhood sewershed surveillance may provide a 3-6 day early warning of SARS-CoV-2 infection spikes and, importantly, highly specific information on subpopulations in a community particularly at higher risk at different points in time. Sampling in neighborhoods may thus provide timely and cost-saving information for targeted interventions within communities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicole S Bell
- RAIN Incubator, Tacoma, WA, USA; Squally Creek, LLC, Tacoma, WA, USA
| | - Chloe Mae Martinez
- RAIN Incubator, Tacoma, WA, USA; University of Washington-Tacoma, Tacoma, WA, USA
| | | | | | | | - David L Hirschberg
- RAIN Incubator, Tacoma, WA, USA; School of Engineering and Technology, University of Washington-Tacoma, Tacoma, WA, USA
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3
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Carine MR, Pagilla KR. A mass balance approach for quantifying the role of natural decay and fate mechanisms on SARS-CoV-2 genetic marker removal during water reclamation. WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH : A RESEARCH PUBLICATION OF THE WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION 2024; 96:e11015. [PMID: 38599573 DOI: 10.1002/wer.11015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
The recent SARS-CoV-2 outbreak yielded substantial data regarding virus fate and prevalence at water reclamation facilities (WRFs), identifying influential factors as natural decay, adsorption, light, pH, salinity, and antagonistic microorganisms. However, no studies have quantified the impact of these factors in full scale WRFs. Utilizing a mass balance approach, we assessed the impact of natural decay and other fate mechanisms on genetic marker removal during water reclamation, through the use of sludge and wastewater genetic marker loading estimates. Results indicated negligible removal of genetic markers during P/PT (primary effluent (PE) p value: 0.267; preliminary and primary treatment (P/PT) accumulation p value: 0.904; and thickened primary sludge (TPS) p value: 0.076) indicating no contribution of natural decay and other fate mechanisms toward removal in P/PT. Comparably, adsorption and decomposition was found to be the dominant pathway for genetic marker removal (thickened waste activated sludge (TWAS) log loading 9.75 log10 GC/day); however, no estimation of log genetic marker accumulation could be carried out due to high detections in TWAS. PRACTITIONER POINTS: The mass balance approach suggested that the contribution of natural decay and other fate mechanisms to virus removal during wastewater treatment are negligible compared with adsorption and decomposition in P/PT (p value: 0.904). During (P/PT), a higher viral load remained in the (PE) (14.16 log10 GC/day) compared with TPS (13.83 log10 GC/day); however, no statistical difference was observed (p value: 0.280) indicting that adsorption/decomposition most probably did not occur. In secondary treatment (ST), viral genetic markers in TWAS were consistently detected (13.41 log10 GC/day) compared with secondary effluent (SE), indicating that longer HRT and the potential presence of extracellular polymeric substance-containing enriched biomass enabled adsorption/decomposition. Estimations of total solids and volatile solids for TPS and TWAS indicated that adsorption affinity was different between solids sampling locations (p value: <0.0001).
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline R Carine
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, USA
| | - Krishna R Pagilla
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, USA
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4
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Mullins N, Alashraf AR, McDermott K, Brown RS, Payne SJ. Polyethylenimine mediated recovery of SARS-CoV-2 and total viral RNA: Impact of aqueous conditions on behaviour and recovery. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 253:121207. [PMID: 38401469 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121207] [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: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is an emerging, practical surveillance tool for monitoring community levels of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, SC2). However, a paucity of data exists regarding SARS-CoV-2 and viral biomarker behaviour in aqueous and wastewater environments. Therefore, there is a pressing need to develop efficient and robust methods that both improve method sensitivity and reduce time and cost. We present a novel method for SARS-CoV-2, Human Coronavirus 229E (229E), and Pepper Mild Mottle Virus (PMMoV) recovery utilizing surface charge-based attraction via the branched cationic polymer, polyethylenimine (PEI). Initially, dose-optimization experiments demonstrated that low concentrations of PEI (0.001% w/v) proved most effective at flocculating suspended viruses and viral material, including additional unbound SC2 viral fragments and/or RNA from raw wastewater. A design-of-experiments (DOE) approach was used to optimize virus and/or viral material aggregation behaviour and recovery across varying aqueous conditions, revealing pH as a major influence on recoverability in this system, combinatorially due to both a reduction in viral material surface charge and increased protonation of PEI-bound amine groups. Overall, this method has shown great promise in significantly improving quantitative viral recovery, providing a straightforward and effective augmentation to standard centrifugation techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Mullins
- Queen's University, Department of Civil Engineering, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6, Canada; McMaster University, Department of Chemical Engineering, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4L7, Canada
| | - Abdul Rahman Alashraf
- Queen's University, Department of Civil Engineering, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6, Canada; Queen's University, Beaty Water Research Centre, Department of Civil Engineering, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6, Canada
| | | | - R Stephen Brown
- Queen's University, Department of Chemistry and School of Environmental Studies, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6, Canada; Queen's University, Beaty Water Research Centre, Department of Civil Engineering, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6, Canada.
| | - Sarah Jane Payne
- Queen's University, Department of Civil Engineering, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6, Canada; Queen's University, Beaty Water Research Centre, Department of Civil Engineering, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6, Canada.
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Gwenzi W, Adelodun B, Kumar P, Ajibade FO, Silva LFO, Choi KS, Selvarajan R, Abia ALK, Gholipour S, Mohammadi F, Nikaeen M. Human viral pathogens in the wastewater-source water-drinking water continuum: Evidence, health risks, and lessons for future outbreaks in low-income settings. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 918:170214. [PMID: 38278242 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170214] [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: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Human viral pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2 continue to attract public and research attention due to their disruption of society, global health, and the economy. Several earlier reviews have investigated the occurrence and fate of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater, and the potential to use such data in wastewater-based epidemiology. However, comprehensive reviews tracking SARS-CoV-2 and other viral pathogens in the wastewater-water-drinking water continuum and the associated risk assessment are still lacking. Therefore, to address this gap, the present paper makes the following contributions: (1) critically examines the early empirical results to highlight the occurrence and stability of SARS-CoV-2 in the wastewater-source water-drinking water continuum, (2) discusses the anthropogenic and hydro(geo)logical processes controlling the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 in the wastewater-source water-drinking water continuum, (3) discusses the risky behaviour, drivers and high-risk settings in the wastewater-source water-drinking water continuum, (4) uses the available empirical data on SARS-CoV-2 occurrence in the wastewater-source water-drinking water continuum to discuss human health risks from multiple exposure pathways, gendered aspects of SARS-CoV-2 transmission via shared on-site sanitation systems, and (5) develops and risk mitigation strategy based on the available empirical evidence and quantitative human risk assessment data. Finally, it presents a comprehensive research agenda on SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 to guide the mitigation of future similar outbreaks in low-income settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willis Gwenzi
- Biosystems and Environmental Engineering Research Group, 380 New Adylin, Westgate, Harare, Zimbabwe; Currently Alexander von Humboldt Fellow and Guest/Visiting Professor at: Grassland Science and Renewable Plant Resources, Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences, Universität Kassel, Steinstraße 19, D-37213 Witzenhausen, Germany; Leibniz-Institut für Agrartechnik und Bioökonomie e.V. (ATB), Max-Eyth-Allee 100, D-14469, Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Bashir Adelodun
- Department of Agricultural Civil Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea; Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, University of Ilorin, PMB 1515, Ilorin 240003, Nigeria; Institute of Agricultural Science & Technology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea.
| | - Pankaj Kumar
- Agro-Ecology and Pollution Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology and Environmental Science, Gurukula Kangri (Deemed to Be University), Haridwar 249404, India; Research and Development Division, Society for AgroEnvironmental Sustainability, Dehradun 248007, India.
| | - Fidelis Odedishemi Ajibade
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Technology, PMB 704, Akure, 340001, Nigeria.
| | - Luis F O Silva
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universidad de la Costa, Calle 58 #55-66, 080002 Barranquilla, Atlàntico, Colombia.
| | - Kyung Sook Choi
- Department of Agricultural Civil Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea; Institute of Agricultural Science & Technology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea.
| | - Ramganesh Selvarajan
- Department of Environmental Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Florida branch, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Akebe Luther King Abia
- Antimicrobial Research Unit, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa; Environmental Research Foundation, Westville 3630, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Sahar Gholipour
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Farzaneh Mohammadi
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mahnaz Nikaeen
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran; Environment Research Center, Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non-Communicable Disease, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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Duker EO, Obodai E, Addo SO, Kwasah L, Mensah ES, Gberbi E, Anane A, Attiku KO, Boakye J, Agbotse GD, Dickson AE, Quarcoo JA, Darko PA, Larbi YA, Ntim NAA, Dzudzor B, Odoom JK. First Molecular Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Sewage and Wastewater in Ghana. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 2024:9975781. [PMID: 38595329 PMCID: PMC11003379 DOI: 10.1155/2024/9975781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is shed in the stool of infected individuals and can be detected in sewage and wastewater contaminated with infected stool. This study is aimed at detecting the virus and its potential survival in sewage and wastewater in Ghana. The cross-sectional study included samples from 16 validated environmental surveillance sites in 7 regions of Ghana. A total of 354 samples composed of wastewater (280) and sewage (74) were collected from November 2020 to November 2022. Overall, 17% of the samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2 by real-time PCR, with 6% in sewage and 11% in wastewater. The highest number of positive samples was collected from the Greater Accra Region (7.3%) with the least recorded in the Bono East Region (0.6%). Further characterization of the positive samples using the next-generation sequencing (NGS) approach yielded two variants: Alpha (B.1.1.7) and Delta (AY.36). Attempts to isolate SARS-CoV-2 in the Vero cell line were not successful probably due to the low viral load concentrations (Ct values > 35) or prolonged exposure to high temperatures rendering the virus noninfectious. Our findings suggest that SARS-CoV-2 RNA in sewage and wastewater may not be infectious, but the prevalence shows that the virus persists in the communities within Ghana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewurabena Oduma Duker
- Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Evangeline Obodai
- Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Seth Offei Addo
- Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Lorreta Kwasah
- Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Edna Serwah Mensah
- Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Emmanuel Gberbi
- Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Abraham Anane
- Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Keren O. Attiku
- Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Jessica Boakye
- Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Gayheart Deladem Agbotse
- Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Angelina Evelyn Dickson
- Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Joseph Ahia Quarcoo
- Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Patience Akosua Darko
- Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Yaw Awuku Larbi
- Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Nana Afia Asante Ntim
- Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Bartholomew Dzudzor
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Ghana Medical School, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - John Kofi Odoom
- Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
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7
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Dong T, Ai J, Zong Y, Zhang Y, Li L, Zhou H, Peng S, He H, Zhang Z, Wang Q. Novel multiplexed alkali enzyme lysis coupled with EDTA pretreatment for RNA virus extraction from wastewater sludge: Optimization, recovery, and detection. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 352:120102. [PMID: 38228046 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120102] [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: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
RNA viruses are readily enriched in wastewater sludge owing to adsorption by extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) during wastewater treatment, causing pathogenicity. However, conventional wastewater extraction methods often fail to fully extract these viruses from sludge. In this study, three methods: enzymatic (ENP), alkaline (ALP), and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) pretreatments were applied to sludges and promote the RNA virus extraction from sludge. Our results show that the total recovery rate of RNA viruses increased by 87.73% after ENP pretreatment, whereas ALP pretreatment inhibited virus extraction. The highest recovery rate of viruses from sludge, reaching 296.80%, was achieved with EDTA pretreatment (EDP) coupled with ENP. Notably, the most significant increase was observed in the abundance of Astroviruses, which increased from 7.60 × 107 to 7.86 × 108 copies/g TSS after EDP + ENP treatment. Our investigations revealed that virus extraction was affected by a class of short-wavelength protein substances, as opposed to tryptophan or tyrosine, which were eluted by proteins with beef paste buffer by substitution after EDP + ENP treatment. The results of this study provide essential insights for sludge-based epidemiology with the required sensitivity for managing the extraction of RNA epidemic viruses to control viral transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyi Dong
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, Hubei, China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Jing Ai
- National Engineering Research Center of Industrial Wastewater Detoxication and Resource Recovery, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia.
| | - Yuxi Zong
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Yibo Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Lanfeng Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Hao Zhou
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Sainan Peng
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Hang He
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, Hubei, China; Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, China
| | - Zhengxuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China
| | - Qilin Wang
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia
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8
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Cutrupi F, Cadonna M, Postinghel M, Foladori P. SARS-CoV-2 removal in municipal wastewater treatment plants: Focus on conventional activated sludge, membrane bioreactor and anaerobic digestion. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167434. [PMID: 37774861 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167434] [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: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
This work focuses on the removal of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the various stages of a full-scale municipal WWTP characterised by two biological processes in parallel: (i) conventional activated sludge (CAS) and (ii) membrane bioreactor (MBR). The monitoring was carried out during the Omicron wave in 2022, a period characterised by a high concentration of SARS-CoV-2 in influent wastewater. The average concentration of SARS-CoV-2 in influent wastewater was 3.7 × 104 GU/L. In the primary sedimentation, the removal of SARS-CoV-2 was not appreciable. The largest log removal value of SARs-CoV-2 occurred in the biological stages, with 1.8 ± 0.9 and 2.2 ± 0.7 logs in CAS and MBR systems. The mean concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 in the CAS and MBR effluents were 6.8 × 102 GU/L and 6.4 × 102 GU/L, respectively. The MBR effluent showed more negative samples, because small particles are retained by membrane and cake layer. The analysis of the different types of sludge confirmed the accumulation of SARS-CoV-2 in primary (5.2 × 104 GU/L) and secondary sludge (3.5 × 104 GU/L), due to the affinity of enveloped viruses towards biosolids. A SARS-CoV-2 concentration in the digested sludge equal to 4.8 × 104 GU/L denotes a negligible reduction in the mesophilic anaerobic digester at temperature of 31-33 °C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Cutrupi
- Center Agriculture Food Environment (C3A) - University of Trento, via Edmund Mach 1, 38098 San Michele all' Adige, TN, Italy
| | - Maria Cadonna
- ADEP - Agenzia per la Depurazione, Autonomous Province of Trento, via Gilli, n. 3, 38121 Trento, Italy
| | - Mattia Postinghel
- ADEP - Agenzia per la Depurazione, Autonomous Province of Trento, via Gilli, n. 3, 38121 Trento, Italy
| | - Paola Foladori
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering (DICAM) - University of Trento, via Mesiano, n. 77, 38123 Trento, Italy.
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9
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Hegazy N, Tian X, D'Aoust PM, Pisharody L, Towhid ST, Mercier É, Zhang Z, Wan S, Thakali O, Kabir MP, Fang W, Nguyen TB, Ramsay NT, MacKenzie AE, Graber TE, Guilherme S, Delatolla R. Impact of coagulation on SARS-CoV-2 and PMMoV viral signal in wastewater solids. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:5242-5253. [PMID: 38112868 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31444-1] [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: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater surveillance (WWS) of SARS-CoV-2 has become a crucial tool for monitoring COVID-19 cases and outbreaks. Previous studies have indicated that SARS-CoV-2 RNA measurement from testing solid-rich primary sludge yields better sensitivity compared to testing wastewater influent. Furthermore, measurement of pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) signal in wastewater allows for precise normalization of SARS-CoV-2 viral signal based on solid content, enhancing disease prevalence tracking. However, despite the widespread adoption of WWS, a knowledge gap remains regarding the impact of ferric sulfate coagulation, commonly used in enhanced primary clarification, the initial stage of wastewater treatment where solids are sedimented and removed, on SARS-CoV-2 and PMMoV quantification in wastewater-based epidemiology. This study examines the effects of ferric sulfate addition, along with the associated pH reduction, on the measurement of SARS-CoV-2 and PMMoV viral measurements in wastewater primary clarified sludge through jar testing. Results show that the addition of Fe3+ concentrations in the conventional 0 to 60 mg/L range caused no effect on SARS-CoV-2 N1 and N2 gene region measurements in wastewater solids. However, elevated Fe3+ concentrations were shown to be associated with a statistically significant increase in PMMoV viral measurements in wastewater solids, which consequently resulted in the underestimation of PMMoV-normalized SARS-CoV-2 viral signal measurements (N1 and N2 copies/copies of PMMoV). The observed pH reduction from coagulant addition did not contribute to the increased PMMoV measurements, suggesting that this phenomenon arises from the partitioning of PMMoV viral particles into wastewater solids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nada Hegazy
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Xin Tian
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Patrick M D'Aoust
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Lakshmi Pisharody
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - Élisabeth Mercier
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Zhihao Zhang
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Shen Wan
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Ocean Thakali
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Md Pervez Kabir
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Wanting Fang
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Tram B Nguyen
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Nathan T Ramsay
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Alex E MacKenzie
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Tyson E Graber
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - Robert Delatolla
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
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10
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Xue B, Guo X, Cao J, Yang S, Qiu Z, Wang J, Shen Z. The occurrence, ecological risk, and control of disinfection by-products from intensified wastewater disinfection during the COVID-19 pandemic. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 900:165602. [PMID: 37478942 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165602] [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: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Increased disinfection of wastewater to preserve its microbiological quality during the coronavirus infectious disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have inevitably led to increased production of toxic disinfection by-products (DBPs). However, there is limited information on such DBPs (i.e., trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, nitrosamines, and haloacetonitriles). This review focused on the upsurge of chlorine-based disinfectants (such as chlorine, chloramine and chlorine dioxide) in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the global response to COVID-19. The formation and distribution of DBPs in wastewater were then analyzed to understand the impacts of these large-scale usage of disinfectants in WWTPs. In addition, potential ecological risks associated with DBPs derived from wastewater disinfection and its receiving water bodies were summarized. Finally, various approaches for mitigating DBP levels in wastewater and suggestions for further research into the environmental risks of increased wastewater disinfection were provided. Overall, this study presented a comprehensive overview of the formation, distribution, potential ecological risks, and mitigating approaches of DBPs derived from wastewater disinfection that will facilitate appropriate wastewater disinfection techniques selection, potential ecological risk assessment, and removal approaches and regulations consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Xue
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment and Food Safety, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Xuan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Academy of Military Science, Beijing 102205, China
| | - Jinrui Cao
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment and Food Safety, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Shuran Yang
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment and Food Safety, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Zhigang Qiu
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment and Food Safety, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Jingfeng Wang
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment and Food Safety, Tianjin, 300050, China.
| | - Zhiqiang Shen
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment and Food Safety, Tianjin, 300050, China.
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11
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Di DYW, Li B, Jeon MK, Yan T. Comparing solid-based concentration methods for rapid and efficient recovery of SARS-CoV-2 for wastewater surveillance. J Virol Methods 2023; 320:114790. [PMID: 37558056 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2023.114790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
As wastewater-based surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 attracts interest globally, there is a need to evaluate and identify rapid and efficient methods for concentrating enveloped viruses in wastewater. When comparing five precipitation/flocculation-based concentration methods (including aluminum hydroxide adsorption-precipitation, AHAP; zinc acetate precipitation, ZAP; skimmed milk flocculation, SMF; FeCl3 precipitation, FCP; and direct centrifugation, DC), AHAP was found to be the most efficient method in terms of seeded BCoV recovery (50.2 %). Based on the BCoV recovery efficiency and turnaround time, the AHAP and DC methods were selected and tested on five additional wastewater samples containing both seeded BCoV and indigenous wastewater SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The BCoV recovery (DC: average=30.1 %, sx =14.7 %; AHAP: average=33.0 %, sx =14.2 %) and SARS-CoV-2 based on the N2 gene assay (DC: average=3.6 ×103 gene copies or GC/mL, sx =1.9 × 103 GC/mL; AHAP: average=3.0 ×103 GC/mL, sx =2.0 ×103 GC/mL) of both methods were not significantly different in solid fraction (p = 0.89). This study showed significant higher BCoV recovery and SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA in wastewater solid fraction (p = 0.006) than liquid fraction. Our result suggests that the solid fraction of wastewater samples is more suitable for recovering enveloped viruses from wastewater, and the DC and AHAP methods equally provide suitably rapid, cost-effective, and significantly higher recovery of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA in wastewater samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doris Yoong Wen Di
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Bo Li
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Min Ki Jeon
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Tao Yan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA; Water Resources Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
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12
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Li D, Quon H, Ervin J, Jiang S, Rosso D, Van De Werfhorst LC, Steets B, Holden PA. Modeled and measured SARS-CoV-2 virus in septic tank systems for wastewater surveillance. JOURNAL OF WATER AND HEALTH 2023; 21:1242-1256. [PMID: 37756192 PMCID: wh_2023_128 DOI: 10.2166/wh.2023.128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 wastewater surveillance (WWS) at wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) can reveal sewered community COVID-19 prevalence. For unsewered areas using septic tank systems (STSs) or holding tanks, how to conduct WWS remains unexplored. Here, two large STSs serving Zuma Beach (Malibu, CA) were studied. Supernatant and sludge SARS-CoV-2 concentrations from the directly-sampled STSs parameterized a dynamic solid-liquid separation, mass balance-based model for estimating the infection rate of users. Pumped septage before hauling and upon WWTP disposal was also sampled and assessed. Most (96%) STS sludge samples contained SARS-CoV-2 N1 and N2 genes, with concentrations exceeding the supernatant and increasing with depth while correlating with total suspended solids (TSS). The trucked septage contained N1 and N2 genes which decayed (coefficients: 0.09-0.29 h-1) but remained detectable. Over approximately 5 months starting in December 2020, modeled COVID-19 prevalence estimations among users ranged from 8 to 18%, mirroring a larger metropolitan area for the first 2 months. The approaches herein can inform public health intervention and augment conventional WWS in that: (1) user infection rates for communal holding tanks are estimable and (2) pumped and hauled septage can be assayed to infer where disease is spreading in unsewered areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Li
- Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93016, USA E-mail:
| | - Hunter Quon
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-2175, USA; Water-Energy Nexus Center, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-2175, USA
| | - Jared Ervin
- Geosyntec Consultants, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA
| | - Sunny Jiang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-2175, USA; Water-Energy Nexus Center, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-2175, USA
| | - Diego Rosso
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-2175, USA; Water-Energy Nexus Center, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-2175, USA
| | - Laurie C Van De Werfhorst
- Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93016, USA
| | | | - Patricia A Holden
- Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93016, USA
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13
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Kumblathan T, Liu Y, Qiu Y, Pang L, Hrudey SE, Le XC, Li XF. An efficient method to enhance recovery and detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater. J Environ Sci (China) 2023; 130:139-148. [PMID: 37032030 PMCID: PMC9554329 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2022.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater surveillance (WS) of SARS-CoV-2 currently requires multiple steps and suffers low recoveries and poor sensitivity. Here, we report an improved analytical method with high sensitivity and recovery to quantify SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater. To improve the recovery, we concentrated SARS-CoV-2 viral particles and RNA from both the solid and aqueous phases of wastewater using an electronegative membrane (EM). The captured viral particles and RNA on the EM were incubated in our newly developed viral inactivation and RNA preservation (VIP) buffer. Subsequently, the RNA was concentrated on magnetic beads and inhibitors removed by washing. Without eluting, the RNA on the magnetic beads was directly detected using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus (SARS-CoV-2 RNA in a noninfectious viral coat) spiked to wastewater samples showed an improved recovery of 80%. Analysis of 120 wastewater samples collected twice weekly between May 2021 and February 2022 from two wastewater treatment plants showed 100% positive detection, which agreed with the results independently obtained by a provincial public health laboratory. The concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in these wastewater samples ranged from 2.4×102 to 2.9×106 copies per 100 mL of wastewater. Our method's capability of detecting trace and diverse concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 in complex wastewater samples is attributed to the enhanced recovery of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and efficient removal of PCR inhibitors. The improved method for the recovery and detection of viral RNA in wastewater is important for wastewater surveillance, complementing clinical diagnostic tests for public health protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Kumblathan
- Division of Analytical and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G3, Canada
| | - Yanming Liu
- Division of Analytical and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G3, Canada
| | - Yuanyuan Qiu
- Division of Diagnostic and Applied Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2G3, Canada
| | - Lilly Pang
- Division of Diagnostic and Applied Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2G3, Canada; Public Health Laboratory, Alberta Precision Laboratories, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G3, Canada
| | - Steve E Hrudey
- Division of Analytical and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G3, Canada
| | - X Chris Le
- Division of Analytical and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G3, Canada
| | - Xing-Fang Li
- Division of Analytical and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G3, Canada.
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14
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Zeng L, Li J, Lv M, Li Z, Yao L, Gao J, Wu Q, Wang Z, Yang X, Tang G, Qu G, Jiang G. Environmental Stability and Transmissibility of Enveloped Viruses at Varied Animate and Inanimate Interfaces. ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH (WASHINGTON, D.C.) 2023; 1:15-31. [PMID: 37552709 PMCID: PMC10255587 DOI: 10.1021/envhealth.3c00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
Enveloped viruses have been the leading causative agents of viral epidemics in the past decade, including the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak. In epidemics caused by enveloped viruses, direct contact is a common route of infection, while indirect transmissions through the environment also contribute to the spread of the disease, although their significance remains controversial. Bridging the knowledge gap regarding the influence of interfacial interactions on the persistence of enveloped viruses in the environment reveals the transmission mechanisms when the virus undergoes mutations and prevents excessive disinfection during viral epidemics. Herein, from the perspective of the driving force, partition efficiency, and viral survivability at interfaces, we summarize the viral and environmental characteristics that affect the environmental transmission of viruses. We expect to provide insights for virus detection, environmental surveillance, and disinfection to limit the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and
Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese
Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of
Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Junya Li
- College of Sciences, Northeastern
University, Shenyang 110819, China
| | - Meilin Lv
- College of Sciences, Northeastern
University, Shenyang 110819, China
| | - Zikang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and
Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese
Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of
Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Linlin Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and
Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese
Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of
Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jie Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and
Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese
Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute
for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Qi Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and
Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese
Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute
for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Ziniu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and
Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese
Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of
Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xinyue Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and
Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese
Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of
Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Gang Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and
Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese
Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of
Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Guangbo Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and
Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese
Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute
for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310000, China
- Institute of Environment and Health,
Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056,
China
- University of Chinese Academy of
Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Guibin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and
Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese
Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute
for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310000, China
- University of Chinese Academy of
Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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15
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Atoui A, Cordevant C, Chesnot T, Gassilloud B. SARS-CoV-2 in the environment: Contamination routes, detection methods, persistence and removal in wastewater treatment plants. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 881:163453. [PMID: 37059142 PMCID: PMC10091716 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The present study reviewed the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and the evaluation of virus infectivity in feces and environmental matrices. The detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in feces and wastewater samples, reported in several studies, has generated interest and concern regarding the possible fecal-oral route of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. To date, the presence of viable SARS-CoV-2 in feces of COVID-19 infected people is not clearly confirmed although its isolation from feces of six different patients. Further, there is no documented evidence on the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater, sludge and environmental water samples, although the viral genome has been detected in these matrices. Decay data revealed that SARS-CoV-2 RNA persisted longer than infectious particle in all aquatic environment, indicating that genome quantification of SARS-CoV-2 does not imply the presence of infective viral particles. In addition, this review also outlined the fate of SARS-CoV-2 RNA during the different steps in the wastewater treatment plant and focusing on the virus elimination along the sludge treatment line. Studies showed complete removal of SARS-CoV-2 during the tertiary treatment. Moreover, thermophilic sludge treatments present high efficiency in SARS-CoV-2 inactivation. Further studies are required to provide more evidence with respect to the inactivation behavior of infectious SARS-CoV-2 in different environmental matrices and to examine factors affecting SARS-CoV-2 persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Atoui
- ANSES, Nancy Laboratory for Hydrology, Water Microbiology Unit, 40, rue Lionnois, 54 000 Nancy, France.
| | - Christophe Cordevant
- ANSES, Strategy and Programs Department, Research and Reference Division, Maisons-Alfort F-94 700, France
| | - Thierry Chesnot
- ANSES, Nancy Laboratory for Hydrology, Water Microbiology Unit, 40, rue Lionnois, 54 000 Nancy, France
| | - Benoît Gassilloud
- ANSES, Nancy Laboratory for Hydrology, Water Microbiology Unit, 40, rue Lionnois, 54 000 Nancy, France
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16
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Kallem P, Hegab H, Alsafar H, Hasan SW, Banat F. SARS-CoV-2 detection and inactivation in water and wastewater: Review on analytical methods, limitations and future research recommendations. Emerg Microbes Infect 2023:2222850. [PMID: 37279167 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2023.2222850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
AbstractSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been detected in wastewater. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is a practical and cost-effective tool for the assessment and controlling of pandemics and probably for examining SARS-CoV-2 presence. Implementation of WBE during the outbreaks is not without limitations. Temperature, suspended solids, pH, and disinfectants affect the stability of viruses in wastewater. Due to these limitations, instruments and techniques have been utilized to detect SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in sewage using various concentration methods and computer-aided analyzes. RT-qPCR, ddRT-PCR, multiplex PCR, RT-LAMP, and electrochemical immunosensors have been employed to detect low levels of viral contamination. Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 is a crucial preventive measure against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To better assess the role of wastewater as a transmission route, detection, and quantification methods need to be refined. In this paper, the latest improvements in quantification, detection, and inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater are explained. Finally, limitations and future research recommendations are thoroughly described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parashuram Kallem
- Center for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology (CMAT), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Environmental Health and Safety Program, College of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 59911, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hanaa Hegab
- Center for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology (CMAT), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Habiba Alsafar
- Center for Biotechnology (BTC), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Emirates Bio-research center, Ministry of interior, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Shadi W Hasan
- Center for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology (CMAT), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Fawzi Banat
- Center for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology (CMAT), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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17
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Parida VK, Saidulu D, Bhatnagar A, Gupta AK, Afzal MS. A critical assessment of SARS-CoV-2 in aqueous environment: Existence, detection, survival, wastewater-based surveillance, inactivation methods, and effective management of COVID-19. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 327:138503. [PMID: 36965534 PMCID: PMC10035368 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
In early January 2020, the causal agent of unspecified pneumonia cases detected in China and elsewhere was identified as a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and was the major cause of the COVID-19 outbreak. Later, the World Health Organization (WHO) proclaimed the COVID-19 pandemic a worldwide public health emergency on January 30, 2020. Since then, many studies have been published on this topic. In the present study, bibliometric analysis has been performed to analyze the research hotspots of the coronavirus. Coronavirus transmission, detection methods, potential risks of infection, and effective management practices have been discussed in the present review. Identification and quantification of SARS-CoV-2 viral loads in various water matrices have been reviewed. It was observed that the viral shedding through urine and feces of COVID-19-infected patients might be a primary mode of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in water and wastewater. In this context, the present review highlights wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE)/sewage surveillance, which can be utilized as an effective tool for tracking the transmission of COVID-19. This review also emphasizes the role of different disinfection techniques, such as chlorination, ultraviolet irradiation, and ozonation, for the inactivation of coronavirus. In addition, the application of computational modeling methods has been discussed for the effective management of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishal Kumar Parida
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, 721302, India
| | - Duduku Saidulu
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, 721302, India
| | - Amit Bhatnagar
- Department of Separation Science, LUT School of Engineering Science, LUT University, Sammonkatu 12, Mikkeli FI-50130, Finland.
| | - Ashok Kumar Gupta
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, 721302, India.
| | - Mohammad Saud Afzal
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, 721302, India
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18
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Maida CM, Tramuto F, Giammanco GM, Palermo R, Priano W, De Grazia S, Purpari G, La Rosa G, Suffredini E, Lucentini L, Palermo M, Pollina Addario W, Graziano G, Immordino P, Vitale F, Mazzucco W. Wastewater-Based Epidemiology as a Tool to Detect SARS-CoV-2 Circulation at the Community Level: Findings from a One-Year Wastewater Investigation Conducted in Sicily, Italy. Pathogens 2023; 12:748. [PMID: 37375438 PMCID: PMC10305655 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12060748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology is a well-established tool for detecting and monitoring the spread of enteric pathogens and the use of illegal drugs in communities in real time. Since only a few studies in Italy have investigated the correlation between SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater and the prevalence of COVID-19 cases from clinical testing, we conducted a one-year wastewater surveillance study in Sicily to correlate the load of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater and the reported cumulative prevalence of COVID-19 in 14 cities from October 2021 to September 2022. Furthermore, we investigated the role of SARS-CoV-2 variants and subvariants in the increase in the number of SARS-CoV-2 infections. Our findings showed a significant correlation between SARS-CoV-2 RNA load in wastewater and the number of active cases reported by syndromic surveillance in the population. Moreover, the correlation between SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater and the active cases remained high when a lag of 7 or 14 days was considered. Finally, we attributed the epidemic waves observed to the rapid emergence of the Omicron variant and the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants. We confirmed the effectiveness of wastewater monitoring as a powerful epidemiological proxy for viral variant spread and an efficient complementary method for surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmelo Massimo Maida
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Regional Reference Laboratory of Western Sicily for the Emergence of COVID-19, University Hospital “P. Giaccone”, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Fabio Tramuto
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Regional Reference Laboratory of Western Sicily for the Emergence of COVID-19, University Hospital “P. Giaccone”, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giovanni Maurizio Giammanco
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Roberta Palermo
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Walter Priano
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Simona De Grazia
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppa Purpari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Marinuzzi, 90129 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Giuseppina La Rosa
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.L.R.)
| | - Elisabetta Suffredini
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.L.R.)
| | - Luca Lucentini
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.L.R.)
| | - Mario Palermo
- Regional Health Authority of Sicily, Via Vaccaro 5, 90145 Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Giorgio Graziano
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Regional Reference Laboratory of Western Sicily for the Emergence of COVID-19, University Hospital “P. Giaccone”, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Palmira Immordino
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Vitale
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Regional Reference Laboratory of Western Sicily for the Emergence of COVID-19, University Hospital “P. Giaccone”, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Walter Mazzucco
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Regional Reference Laboratory of Western Sicily for the Emergence of COVID-19, University Hospital “P. Giaccone”, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
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Xia Y, Liu M, Zhao Y, Guo J, Chi X, Du J, Du D, Shi D. Hydration mechanism and environmental impacts of blended cements containing co-combustion ash of sewage sludge and rice husk: Compared with blended cements containing sewage sludge ash. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 864:161116. [PMID: 36566852 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.161116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
In this study, the hydration mechanism and environmental impacts of blended cements with the co-combustion ash of rice husk and sewage sludge (CCA) were investigated and compared to those of blended cements with sewage sludge ash (SSA). CCA possesses lower phosphate contents than SSA, leading to lower inhibition effects on early hydration of cement clinker. Moreover, the pozzolanic activity of CCA is higher than that of SSA. Thus, more hydration products from the pozzolanic reaction of CCA are generated in CCA-based blended cements. Compared to the matrix of SSA-based blended cements, that of their CCA-based counterpart is filled with more hydration products, which promotes porosity refinement and strength development of CCA-based blended cements at later ages. CCA-based blended cements exhibit greater environmental benefits than SSA-based blended cements because fossil consumption and toxic substance emissions during the co-combustion of rice husk and sewage sludge is lower than that during the mono-combustion of sewage sludge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Xia
- School of Civil Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; Key Lab of Structures Dynamic Behavior and Control of the Ministry of Education, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; Key Lab of Smart Prevention and Mitigating of Industry and Information Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Minghao Liu
- School of Civil Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; Key Lab of Structures Dynamic Behavior and Control of the Ministry of Education, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; Key Lab of Smart Prevention and Mitigating of Industry and Information Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Yading Zhao
- School of Civil Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; Key Lab of Structures Dynamic Behavior and Control of the Ministry of Education, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; Key Lab of Smart Prevention and Mitigating of Industry and Information Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China.
| | - Junzhen Guo
- School of Civil Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; Key Lab of Structures Dynamic Behavior and Control of the Ministry of Education, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; Key Lab of Smart Prevention and Mitigating of Industry and Information Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Xiaofeng Chi
- School of Civil Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; Key Lab of Structures Dynamic Behavior and Control of the Ministry of Education, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; Key Lab of Smart Prevention and Mitigating of Industry and Information Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Jianxin Du
- School of Civil Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; Key Lab of Structures Dynamic Behavior and Control of the Ministry of Education, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; Key Lab of Smart Prevention and Mitigating of Industry and Information Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Donghang Du
- School of Civil Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; Key Lab of Structures Dynamic Behavior and Control of the Ministry of Education, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; Key Lab of Smart Prevention and Mitigating of Industry and Information Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Daquan Shi
- School of Civil Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; Key Lab of Structures Dynamic Behavior and Control of the Ministry of Education, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; Key Lab of Smart Prevention and Mitigating of Industry and Information Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
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20
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Jeyakumar SS, Ponniah JM, Vasudevan J, Muñoz-Sevilla NP, Urrutia-Goyes R, Escobedo-Urias DC, Rodriguez-Espinosa PF. Public views on tourist beach environment from multinational countries and ensuing changes during global epidemic. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023:10.1007/s11356-023-26277-x. [PMID: 36917386 PMCID: PMC10013292 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-26277-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The continuous endemic of the new SARS-CoV-2 virus brought a halt to the world's activities from February 2020. Our study intends to gauge public perceptions on the consequences of post-pandemic changes on the marine environment, particularly as they are related to tourist beach amenities. Totally, 16 nations' knowledge and views on various environmental viewpoints over the effects of epidemic were gathered through public polls live on social media during social confinement in 2020. The results indicate that around 85% of respondents were most concerned about the alarming sights of widespread plastic trash and the increase of dangerous biomedical wastes through wastewater in the marine ecosystem. The outcomes of this study will undoubtedly aid in the establishment of a management strategy and for future studies on the consequences of any epidemic on the beaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakthi Selvalakshmi Jeyakumar
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones y Estudios Sobre Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo (CIIEMAD), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Calle 30 de Junio de 1520, Barrio La Laguna Ticomán, Del. Gustavo A. Madero, C.P.07340, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Jonathan Muthuswamy Ponniah
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones y Estudios Sobre Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo (CIIEMAD), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Calle 30 de Junio de 1520, Barrio La Laguna Ticomán, Del. Gustavo A. Madero, C.P.07340, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico.
| | - Joshua Vasudevan
- School of Architecture Building and Civil Engineering, Loughborough University, Mumfordway, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, UK
| | - Norma Patricia Muñoz-Sevilla
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones y Estudios Sobre Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo (CIIEMAD), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Calle 30 de Junio de 1520, Barrio La Laguna Ticomán, Del. Gustavo A. Madero, C.P.07340, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Ricardo Urrutia-Goyes
- Departamento de Ciencias de La Energía y Mecánica, Av. Gral. Rumiñahui S/N, Universidad de Las Fuerzas Armadas ESPE, P.O. Box 171-5-231B, Sangolqui, 171103, Ecuador
| | - Diana Cecilia Escobedo-Urias
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigación para el Desarrollo Integral Regional (CIIDIR), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Bulevar Juan de Dios Bátiz Paredes #250, Colonia San Joachin, C.P.81101, Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - Pedro Francisco Rodriguez-Espinosa
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones y Estudios Sobre Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo (CIIEMAD), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Calle 30 de Junio de 1520, Barrio La Laguna Ticomán, Del. Gustavo A. Madero, C.P.07340, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico
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21
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Plaza-Garrido A, Ampuero M, Gaggero A, Villamar-Ayala CA. Norovirus, Hepatitis A and SARS-CoV-2 surveillance within Chilean rural wastewater treatment plants based on different biological treatment typologies. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 863:160685. [PMID: 36476771 PMCID: PMC9721186 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, wastewater from WWTPs became an interesting source of epidemiological surveillance. However, there is uncertainty about the influence of treatment type on virus removal. The aim of this study was to assess viral surveillance within wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) based on different biological treatments. Seasonal monitoring (autumn-winter and spring-summer) was conducted in 10 Chilean rural WWTPs, which were based on activated sludge, aerated lagoons, bio-discs, constructed wetlands, vermifilters and mixed systems. Viruses were measured (influent/effluent) by the RT-qPCR technique, using a commercial kit for SARS-CoV-2, NoV GI, NoV GII, and HAV. The detection of SARS-CoV-2 viral variants by genotyping was performed using SARS-CoV-2 Mutation Assays (ThermoFisher Scientific, USA). JC polyomavirus detection (control), as well as a qPCR technique. Results showed that SARS-CoV-2, NoV GI and GII were detected in influents at values between <5 and 462, 0 to 28, and 0 to 75 GC/mL, respectively. HAV was not detected among the studied WWTPs. The monitored WWTPs removed these viruses at percentages between 0 and 100 %. WWTPs based on activated sludge with bio-discs demonstrated to be the most efficient at removing SARS-CoV-2 (up to 98 %) and NoV GI and GII (100 %). Meanwhile, bio-discs technologies were the least efficient for viral removal, due to biofilm detachment, which could also adsorb viral aggregates. A correlation analysis established that solids, pH, and temperature are the most influential parameters in viral removal. Wastewater-based surveillance at WWTP allowed for the detection of Omicron before the Chilean health authorities notified its presence in the population. In addition, surveillance of viruses and other microorganisms could help assess the potential public health risk of wastewater recycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Plaza-Garrido
- Departamento de Ingeniería en Obras Civiles, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Santiago de Chile (USACH), Av. Victor Jara 3659, Estación Central, Santiago, Chile
| | - Manuel Ampuero
- Programa de Virología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
| | - Aldo Gaggero
- Programa de Virología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile.
| | - Cristina Alejandra Villamar-Ayala
- Departamento de Ingeniería en Obras Civiles, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Santiago de Chile (USACH), Av. Victor Jara 3659, Estación Central, Santiago, Chile.
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22
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Chen H, Wu W, Chen D, Feng Y. Comparative study of carbon-deNO x process by different sewage sludge chars. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 318:137981. [PMID: 36716939 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.137981] [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: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Sewage sludge char (SC) reduces NO to N2 at high temperatures thus acting as a potential reducing agent in flue gas cleaning systems. However, SC needs to be modified to enhance the carbon-deNOx performance. In this study, coal char (CC) and different types of SCs, i.e., original (SC-R), pyrolytic volatiles activated (SC-V) and KOH activated (SC-K), were compared in terms of their carbon-deNOx performance, including NO removal rate and secondary pollution discharged. The results showed that when the oxygen content in the flue gas was 5-6%, the carbon-deNOx efficiency of the three types of SCs was greater than 70%, which was higher than that of the CC. SC-V has lower emissions of CO and gaseous nitrogen-containing compounds (NH3, HNCO, HCN) among the three types of SCs. For the oxygen content of 8-11% in the flue gases, the NO conversion performance was found in the order of SC-K > SC-R > SC-V > CC. The physical and chemical characterization of activated carbon shows that pyrolytic-volatile activation increases the ratio of C-O and C=O functional groups on its surface of SC-V, which not only facilitates the chemisorption of NO but are also easily converted under high oxygen conditions. SC-V is found as a suitable reductant for carbon-deNOx within the temperature range of 300-350 °C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Chen
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Dianji University, Shanghai 201306, China; Thermal & Environmental Engineering Institute, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Wei Wu
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Dianji University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Dezhen Chen
- Thermal & Environmental Engineering Institute, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yuheng Feng
- Thermal & Environmental Engineering Institute, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
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23
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Balakrishnan A, Jacob MM, Senthil Kumar P, Kapoor A, Ponnuchamy M, Sivaraman P, Sillanpää M. Strategies for safe management of hospital wastewater during the COVID-19 pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : IJEST 2023; 20:1-16. [PMID: 36817164 PMCID: PMC9925218 DOI: 10.1007/s13762-023-04803-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Management of hospital wastewater is a challenging task, particularly during the situations like coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The hospital effluent streams are likely to contain many known and unknown contaminants including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) along with a variety of pollutants arising from pharmaceuticals, life-style chemicals, drugs, radioactive species, and human excreta from the patients. The effluents are a mixed bag of contaminants with some of them capable of infecting through contact. Hence, it is essential to identify appropriate treatment strategies for hospital waste streams. In this work, various pollutants emerging in the context of COVID-19 are examined. A methodical review is conducted on the occurrence and disinfection methods of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater. An emphasis is given to the necessity of addressing the challenges of handling hospital effluents dynamically involved during the pandemic scenario to ensure human and environmental safety. A comparative evaluation of disinfection strategies makes it evident that the non-contact methods like ultraviolet irradiation, hydrogen peroxide vapor, and preventive approaches such as the usage of antimicrobial surface coating offer promise in reducing the chance of disease transmission. These methods are also highly efficient in comparison with other strategies. Chemical disinfection strategies such as chlorination may lead to further disinfection byproducts, complicating the treatment processes. An overall analysis of various disinfection methods is presented here, including developing methods such as membrane technologies, highlighting the merits and demerits of each of these processes. Finally, the wastewater surveillance adopted during the COVID-19 outbreak is discussed. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13762-023-04803-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Balakrishnan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Rourkela, Odisha 769008 India
| | - M. M. Jacob
- Department of Chemical Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu 603203 India
| | - P. Senthil Kumar
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering, Kalavakkam, Chennai 603203 India
- Centre of Excellence in Water Research (CEWAR), Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering, Kalavakkam, Chennai 603203 India
- School of Engineering, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
- Department of Biotechnology Engineering and Food Technology, Chandigarh University, Mohali, 140413 India
| | - A. Kapoor
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Harcourt Butler Technical University, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh 208002 India
| | - M. Ponnuchamy
- Department of Chemical Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu 603203 India
| | - P. Sivaraman
- Department of Chemical Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu 603203 India
| | - M. Sillanpää
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451 Saudi Arabia
- School of Resources and Environment, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), NO. 2006, Xiyuan Ave., West High-Tech Zone, Chengdu, Sichuan 611731 People’s Republic of China
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24
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Câmara AB, Bonfante J, da Penha MG, Cassini STA, de Pinho Keller R. Detecting SARS-CoV-2 in sludge samples: A systematic review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 859:160012. [PMID: 36368397 PMCID: PMC9643039 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
AIMS This paper aims to review the main sludge concentration methods used for SARS-CoV-2 detection in sewage sludge samples, discussing the main methods and sample volume related to increased viral load. In addition, we aim to evaluate the countries associated with increased positivity rates for SARS-CoV-2 in sludge samples. METHODS This systematic methodology was registered in PROSPERO and followed the PRISMA guidelines. The search was carried out in the SciELO, PubMed/MEDLINE, Lilacs, and Google Scholar databases in January-March 2022. Quantitative studies with conclusive results were included in this review. Concentration methods (polyethylene glycol (PEG), PEG + NaCl, gravity thickening, skimmed milk flocculation, ultrafiltration, filtration using charged filters, primary sedimentation, and anaerobic digestion), as well as detection methods (RTqPCR and reverse transcription droplet digital PCR assay) were evaluated in this review. The SPSS v23 software program was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS PEG (with or without NaCl addition) and gravity thickening were the most used sludge concentration methods to detect SARS-CoV-2. The main method associated with increased viral load (>2,02 × 10^4 copies/mL) was PEG + NaCl (p < 0.05, Mann-Whitney test). The average positivity rate for SARS-CoV-2 in sludge samples was 61 %, and a correlation was found between the sludge volume and the viral load (ro 0.559, p = 0.03, Spearman correlation). CONCLUSION The sludge volume may influence the SARS-CoV-2 load since the virus can adhere to solid particles in these samples. Other factors may be associated with SARS-CoV-2 load, including the methods used; especially PEG + NaCl may result in a high viral load detected in sludge, and may provide a suitable pH for SARS-CoV-2 recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Barros Câmara
- Sanitation Laboratory, Department of Environmental Engineering, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Ave. Fernando Ferrari, 515, Goiabeiras, 29075051 Vitória, ES, Brazil.
| | - Júlia Bonfante
- Sanitation Laboratory, Department of Environmental Engineering, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Ave. Fernando Ferrari, 515, Goiabeiras, 29075051 Vitória, ES, Brazil
| | - Marília Gueler da Penha
- Sanitation Laboratory, Department of Environmental Engineering, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Ave. Fernando Ferrari, 515, Goiabeiras, 29075051 Vitória, ES, Brazil
| | - Sérvio Túlio Alves Cassini
- Sanitation Laboratory, Department of Environmental Engineering, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Ave. Fernando Ferrari, 515, Goiabeiras, 29075051 Vitória, ES, Brazil
| | - Regina de Pinho Keller
- Sanitation Laboratory, Department of Environmental Engineering, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Ave. Fernando Ferrari, 515, Goiabeiras, 29075051 Vitória, ES, Brazil
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25
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Yang W, Cai C, Yang D, Dai X. Implications for assessing sludge hygienization: Differential responses of the bacterial community, human pathogenic bacteria, and fecal indicator bacteria to sludge pretreatment-anaerobic digestion. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 443:130110. [PMID: 36332277 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Sewage sludge is the byproduct of wastewater treatment plants, which host enormous diversity of microbes including potential pathogens. However, there are still challenges in assessing hygienization during sludge stabilization due to the complex relationships between dominant microbes and human pathogenic bacteria (HPB), and the accuracy of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) is also disputed. Here, the responses of the bacterial community, HPB, and FIB to sludge pretreatment-anaerobic digestion (AD) were comprehensively compared using culture-based and 16S rRNA gene molecular analysis methodologies. Bacterial and HPB communities differed in response to sludge pretreatment-AD. AD drove the variation of bacterial community, but led to the convergence of HPB communities in pretreated sludge, indicating the existence of ecological niches that favors HPB dissemination in digesters. The correlation analysis indicated that FIB was suitable for characterizing general pathogen removal instead of showing the real pattern of HPB (i.e., each HPB), implying the need for comprehensive assessment approaches. Moreover, AD-related parameters including pH, total solids destruction, and methane yield were found to play important role in assessing pathogen inactivation given their correlation. This work provides theoretical basis for the selection of appropriate sludge stabilization approaches and future supervision of biosolids biosafety, which finally benefits human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Chen Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
| | - Donghai Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xiaohu Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
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26
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Alahdal HM, Ameen F, AlYahya S, Sonbol H, Khan A, Alsofayan Y, Alahmari A. Municipal wastewater viral pollution in Saudi Arabia: effect of hot climate on COVID-19 disease spreading. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:25050-25057. [PMID: 34138435 PMCID: PMC8210523 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14809-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The viral RNA of SARS-Coronavirus-2 is known to be contaminating municipal wastewater. We aimed to assess if COVID-19 disease is spreading through wastewater. We studied the amount of viral RNA in raw sewage and the efficiency of the sewage treatment to remove the virus. Sewage water was collected before and after the activated sludge process three times during summer 2020 from three different sewage treatment plants. The sewage treatment was efficient in removing SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA. Each sewage treatment plant gathered wastewater from one hospital, of which COVID-19 admissions were used to describe the level of disease occurrence in the area. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA-specific target genes (N1, N2, and E) was confirmed using RT-qPCR analysis. However, hospital admission did not correlate significantly with viral RNA. Moreover, viral RNA loads were relatively low, suggesting that sewage might preserve viral RNA in a hot climate only for a short time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadil M Alahdal
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fuad Ameen
- Department of Botany & Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Sami AlYahya
- National Center for Biotechnology, King Abdulaziz City for Science & Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hana Sonbol
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Anas Khan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Global Center for Mass Gatherings Medicine, Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 11461, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yousef Alsofayan
- Global Center for Mass Gatherings Medicine, Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 11461, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Alahmari
- Global Center for Mass Gatherings Medicine, Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 11461, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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27
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Bhattacharya S, Abhishek K, Samiksha S, Sharma P. Occurrence and transport of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater streams and its detection and remediation by chemical-biological methods. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ADVANCES 2023; 9:100221. [PMID: 36818681 PMCID: PMC9762044 DOI: 10.1016/j.hazadv.2022.100221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
This paper explains the transmission of SARS-CoV and influences of several environmental factors in the transmission process. The article highlighted several methods of collection, sampling and monitoring/estimation as well as surveillance tool for detecting SARS-CoV in wastewater streams. In this context, WBE (Wastewater based epidemiology) is found to be the most effective surveillance tool. Several methods of genomic sequencing are discussed in the paper, which are applied in WBE, like qPCR-based wastewater testing, metagenomics-based analysis, next generation sequencing etc. Additionally, several types of biosensors (colorimetric biosensor, mobile phone-based biosensors, and nanomaterials-based biosensors) showed promising results in sensing SARS-CoV in wastewater. Further, this review paper outlined the gaps in assessing the factors responsible for transmission and challenges in detection and monitoring along with the remediation and disinfection methods of this virus in wastewater. Various methods of disinfection of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater are discussed (primary, secondary, and tertiary phases) and it is found that a suite of disinfection methods can be used for complete disinfection/removal of the virus. Application of ultraviolet light, ozone and chlorine-based disinfectants are also discussed in the context of treatment methods. This study calls for continuous efforts to gather more information about the virus through continuous monitoring and analyses and to address the existing gaps and identification of the most effective tool/ strategy to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Wastewater surveillance can be very useful in effective surveillance of future pandemics and epidemics caused by viruses, especially after development of new technologies in detecting and disinfecting viral pathogens more effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayan Bhattacharya
- School of Ecology and Environment Studies, Nalanda University, Rajgir, 803116, Bihar, India
| | - Kumar Abhishek
- School of Ecology and Environment Studies, Nalanda University, Rajgir, 803116, Bihar, India
- Department of Environment Forest and Climate Change, Government of Bihar, Patna, 800015, Bihar, India
| | - Shilpi Samiksha
- Bihar State Pollution Control Board, Patna, 800015, Bihar, India
| | - Prabhakar Sharma
- School of Ecology and Environment Studies, Nalanda University, Rajgir, 803116, Bihar, India
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28
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Qamsari EM, Mohammadi P. Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 RNA Presence in Treated and Untreated Hospital Sewage. WATER, AIR, AND SOIL POLLUTION 2023; 234:273. [PMID: 37073306 PMCID: PMC10090750 DOI: 10.1007/s11270-023-06273-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is a potential approach for determining the viral prevalence in a community. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers have begun to pay close attention to the presence of SARS-COV-2 RNA in various wastewaters. The potential for detecting SARS-CoV-2 RNA in hospital sewage could make it an invaluable resource for epidemiological studies. In this regard, two specialized hospitals dedicated to COVID-19 patients were chosen for this investigation. Both hospitals utilize the same wastewater treatment systems. The influent and effluents of the two hospitals were sampled in May and June of 2021, and the samples were evaluated for their chemical properties. According to the findings of this study, the wastewater qualities of the two studied hospitals were within the standard ranges. The sewage samples were concentrated using ultrafiltration and PEG precipitation techniques. The E and S genes were studied with RT-qPCR commercial kits. We found E gene of SARS-CoV-2 in 83.3% (5/6) and 66.6% (4/6) of wastewater samples from hospital 1 and hospital 2, respectively, using ultrafiltration concentration method. Wastewater samples taken after chlorine treatment accounted for 16.6% of all positive results. In addition, due to the small sample size, there was no significant correlation (p > 0.05) between the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater and the number of COVID-19 cases. Hospitals may be a source of SARS-CoV-2 pollution, thus it is important to monitor and enhance wastewater treatment systems to prevent the spread of the virus and safeguard the surrounding environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elahe Mobarak Qamsari
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parisa Mohammadi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
- Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
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29
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D'Aoust PM, Tian X, Towhid ST, Xiao A, Mercier E, Hegazy N, Jia JJ, Wan S, Kabir MP, Fang W, Fuzzen M, Hasing M, Yang MI, Sun J, Plaza-Diaz J, Zhang Z, Cowan A, Eid W, Stephenson S, Servos MR, Wade MJ, MacKenzie AE, Peng H, Edwards EA, Pang XL, Alm EJ, Graber TE, Delatolla R. Wastewater to clinical case (WC) ratio of COVID-19 identifies insufficient clinical testing, onset of new variants of concern and population immunity in urban communities. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 853:158547. [PMID: 36067855 PMCID: PMC9444156 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Clinical testing has been the cornerstone of public health monitoring and infection control efforts in communities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. With the anticipated reduction of clinical testing as the disease moves into an endemic state, SARS-CoV-2 wastewater surveillance (WWS) will have greater value as an important diagnostic tool. An in-depth analysis and understanding of the metrics derived from WWS is required to interpret and utilize WWS-acquired data effectively (McClary-Gutierrez et al., 2021; O'Keeffe, 2021). In this study, the SARS-CoV-2 wastewater signal to clinical cases (WC) ratio was investigated across seven cities in Canada over periods ranging from 8 to 21 months. This work demonstrates that significant increases in the WC ratio occurred when clinical testing eligibility was modified to appointment-only testing, identifying a period of insufficient clinical testing (resulting in a reduction to testing access and a reduction in the number of daily tests) in these communities, despite increases in the wastewater signal. Furthermore, the WC ratio decreased significantly in 6 of the 7 studied locations, serving as a potential signal of the emergence of the Alpha variant of concern (VOC) in a relatively non-immunized community (40-60 % allelic proportion), while a more muted decrease in the WC ratio signaled the emergence of the Delta VOC in a relatively well-immunized community (40-60 % allelic proportion). Finally, a significant decrease in the WC ratio signaled the emergence of the Omicron VOC, likely because of the variant's greater effectiveness at evading immunity, leading to a significant number of new reported clinical cases, even when community immunity was high. The WC ratio, used as an additional monitoring metric, could complement clinical case counts and wastewater signals as individual metrics in its potential ability to identify important epidemiological occurrences, adding value to WWS as a diagnostic technology during the COVID-19 pandemic and likely for future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick M D'Aoust
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Xin Tian
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | | | - Amy Xiao
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
| | - Elisabeth Mercier
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Nada Hegazy
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Jian-Jun Jia
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Shen Wan
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Md Pervez Kabir
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Wanting Fang
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Meghan Fuzzen
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Maria Hasing
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Minqing Ivy Yang
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jianxian Sun
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Julio Plaza-Diaz
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Zhihao Zhang
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Aaron Cowan
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Walaa Eid
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Sean Stephenson
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Mark R Servos
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Matthew J Wade
- Data, Analytics and Surveillance Group, UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alex E MacKenzie
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Hui Peng
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Elizabeth A Edwards
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Xiao-Li Pang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Eric J Alm
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
| | - Tyson E Graber
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Robert Delatolla
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.
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30
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Sridhar J, Parit R, Boopalakrishnan G, Rexliene MJ, Praveen R, Viswananathan B. Importance of wastewater-based epidemiology for detecting and monitoring SARS-CoV-2. CASE STUDIES IN CHEMICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING 2022; 6:100241. [PMID: 37520919 PMCID: PMC9341170 DOI: 10.1016/j.cscee.2022.100241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has emerged as a global challenge in terms of health and disease monitoring. COVID-19 infection is mainly spread through the SARS-CoV-2 infection leading to the development of mild to severe clinical manifestations. The virus binds to its cognate receptor ACE2 which is widely expressed among different tissues in the body. Notably, SARS-CoV-2 shedding in the fecal samples has been reported through the screening of sewage water across various countries. Wastewater screening for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 provides an alternative method to monitor infection threat, variant identification, and clinical evaluation to restrict the virus progression. Multiple cohort studies have reported the application of wastewater treatment approaches and epidemiological significance in terms of virus monitoring. Thus, the manuscript outlines consolidated and systematic information regarding the application of wastewater-based epidemiology in terms of monitoring and managing a viral disease outbreak like COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayavel Sridhar
- Department of Biotechnology (DDE), Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, 625021, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Rahul Parit
- Department of Biotechnology (DDE), Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, 625021, Tamilnadu, India
| | | | - M Johni Rexliene
- Department of Biotechnology (DDE), Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, 625021, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Rajkumar Praveen
- Department of Biotechnology (DDE), Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, 625021, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Balaji Viswananathan
- Department of Biotechnology (DDE), Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, 625021, Tamilnadu, India
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31
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Parra-Arroyo L, Martinez-Ruiz M, Lucero S, Oyervides-Muñoz MA, Wilkinson M, Melchor-Martínez EM, Araújo RG, Coronado-Apodaca KG, Velasco Bedran H, Buitrón G, Noyola A, Barceló D, Iqbal HM, Sosa-Hernández JE, Parra-Saldívar R. Degradation of viral RNA in wastewater complex matrix models and other standards for wastewater-based epidemiology: A review. Trends Analyt Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2022.116890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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32
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Bitter LC, Kibbee R, Jiménez GC, Örmeci B. Wastewater Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 at a Canadian University Campus and the Impact of Wastewater Characteristics on Viral RNA Detection. ACS ES&T WATER 2022; 2:2034-2046. [PMID: 37552746 PMCID: PMC9128010 DOI: 10.1021/acsestwater.2c00060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Because of the increased population density, high-risk behavior of young students, and lower vaccination rates, university campuses are considered hot spots for COVID-19 transmission. This study monitored the SARS-CoV-2 RNA levels in the wastewater of a Canadian university campus for a year to provide actionable information to safely manage COVID-19 on campus. Wastewater samples were collected from the campus sewer and residence buildings to identify changes, peaks, and hotspots and search for associations with campus events, social gatherings, long weekends, and holidays. Furthermore, the impact of wastewater parameters (total solids, volatile solids, temperature, pH, turbidity, and UV absorbance) on SARS-CoV-2 detection was investigated, and the efficiency of ultrafiltration and centrifugation concentration methods were compared. RT-qPCR was used for detecting SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Wastewater signals largely correlated positively with the clinically confirmed COVID-19 cases on campus. Long weekends and holidays were often followed by increased viral signals, and the implementation of lockdowns quickly decreased the case numbers. In spite of online teaching and restricted access to campus, the university represented a microcosm of the city and mirrored the same trends. Results indicated that the centrifugation concentration method was more sensitive for wastewater with high solids content and that the ultrafiltration concentration method was more sensitive for wastewater with low solids content. Wastewater characteristics collected from the buildings and the campus sewer were different. Statistical analysis was performed to manifest the observations. Overall, wastewater surveillance provided actionable information and was also able to bring high-risk factors and events to the attention of decision-makers, enabling timely corrective measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Carolin Bitter
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering,
Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S
5B6, Canada
| | - Richard Kibbee
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering,
Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S
5B6, Canada
| | - Gabriela C. Jiménez
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering,
Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S
5B6, Canada
| | - Banu Örmeci
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering,
Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S
5B6, Canada
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33
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Roldan-Hernandez L, Graham KE, Duong D, Boehm AB. Persistence of Endogenous SARS-CoV-2 and Pepper Mild Mottle Virus RNA in Wastewater-Settled Solids. ACS ES&T WATER 2022; 2:1944-1952. [PMID: 36380769 PMCID: PMC8938836 DOI: 10.1021/acsestwater.2c00003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Limited information is available on the decay rate of endogenous SARS-CoV-2 and pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) RNA in wastewater and primary settled solids, potentially limiting an understanding of how transit or holding times within wastewater infrastructure might impact RNA measurements and their relationship to community COVID-19 infections. In this study, primary settled solids samples were collected from two wastewater treatment plants in the San Francisco Bay Area. Samples were thoroughly mixed, aliquoted into subsamples, and stored at 4, 22, and 37 °C for 10 days. The concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 (N1 and N2 targets) and PMMoV RNA were measured using an RT-ddPCR. Limited decay (<1 log10 reduction) was observed in the detection of viral RNA targets at all temperature conditions, suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 and PMMoV RNA can be highly persistent in solids. First-order decay rate constants ranged from 0.011 to 0.098 day-1 for SARS-CoV-2 RNA and from 0.010 to 0.091 day-1 for PMMoV RNA depending on the temperature conditions. A slower decay was observed for SARS-CoV-2 RNA in primary settled solids compared to previously reported decay in wastewater influent. Further research is needed to understand if solid content and wastewater characteristics might influence the persistence of viral RNA targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Roldan-Hernandez
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, 473 Via Ortega, Stanford 94305, California, United States
| | - Katherine E. Graham
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, 473 Via Ortega, Stanford 94305, California, United States
| | - Dorothea Duong
- Verily
Life Sciences, San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Alexandria B. Boehm
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, 473 Via Ortega, Stanford 94305, California, United States
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34
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Brian I, Manuzzi A, Dalla Rovere G, Giussani E, Palumbo E, Fusaro A, Bonfante F, Bortolami A, Quaranta EG, Monne I, Patarnello T, Bargelloni L, Terregino C, Holmes EC, Todesco G, Sorrentino F, Berton A, Badetti C, Carrer C, Ferrari G, Zincone C, Milan M, Panzarin V. Molecular Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 in Different Sewage Plants in Venice and the Implications for Genetic Surveillance. ACS ES&T WATER 2022; 2:1953-1963. [PMID: 37552713 PMCID: PMC9115883 DOI: 10.1021/acsestwater.2c00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology is now widely used as an indirect tool to monitor the spread of SARS-CoV-2. In this study, five different sample matrices representing diverse phases of the wastewater treatment process were collected during the second wave of SARS-CoV-2 from two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) serving the Civil Hospital and Sacca Fisola island in Venice, Italy. Positive SARS-CoV-2 detections occurred at both WWTPs, and data on viral genome detection rate and quantification suggest that the pellet (i.e., the particulate resulting from the influent) is a sensitive matrix that permits reliable assessment of infection prevalence while reducing time to results. On the contrary, analysis of post-treatment matrices provides evidence of the decontamination efficacy of both WWTPs. Finally, direct sequencing of wastewater samples enabled us to identify B.1.177 and B.1.160 as the prevalent SARS-CoV-2 lineages circulating in Venice at the time of sampling. This study confirmed the suitability of wastewater testing for studying SARS-CoV-2 circulation and established a simplified workflow for the prompt detection and characterization of the virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Brian
- Division of Comparative Biomedical Sciences,
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale
dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Alice Manuzzi
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food
Science, University of Padova, Viale
dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Giulia Dalla Rovere
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food
Science, University of Padova, Viale
dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Edoardo Giussani
- Division of Comparative Biomedical Sciences,
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale
dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Elisa Palumbo
- Division of Comparative Biomedical Sciences,
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale
dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Alice Fusaro
- Division of Comparative Biomedical Sciences,
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale
dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Francesco Bonfante
- Division of Comparative Biomedical Sciences,
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale
dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Alessio Bortolami
- Division of Comparative Biomedical Sciences,
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale
dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Erika Giorgia Quaranta
- Division of Comparative Biomedical Sciences,
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale
dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Isabella Monne
- Division of Comparative Biomedical Sciences,
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale
dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Tomaso Patarnello
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food
Science, University of Padova, Viale
dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Luca Bargelloni
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food
Science, University of Padova, Viale
dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Calogero Terregino
- Division of Comparative Biomedical Sciences,
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale
dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Edward C. Holmes
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, School of Life
and Environmental Sciences and School of Medical Sciences, University of
Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
| | | | - Francesco Sorrentino
- Provveditorato interregionale per il
Veneto, Trentino AA, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Ponte di Rialto, 19, Venezia,
30125, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Cinzia Zincone
- Provveditorato interregionale per il
Veneto, Trentino AA, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Ponte di Rialto, 19, Venezia,
30125, Italy
| | - Massimo Milan
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food
Science, University of Padova, Viale
dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Valentina Panzarin
- Division of Comparative Biomedical Sciences,
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale
dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
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Saoudi MA, Dabert P, Vedrenne F, Daumer ML. Mechanisms governing the dissolution of phosphorus and iron in sewage sludge by the bioacidification process and its correlation with iron phosphate speciation. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 307:135704. [PMID: 35940418 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135704] [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: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In the last two decades, phosphorus (P) recovery from sewage sludge liquors gained much interest for its high-quality product potential. However, the consistently reported constraints are the low phosphorus availability and the technical-economical difficulties to increase it through chemical acidification. This article discusses the mechanisms of phosphorus dissolution by the biological acidification process (Biological acidification or acidic fermentation) as an alternative to chemical acidification. In addition, we investigate the potential correlation between the phosphorus dissolution and iron phosphate speciation of several types of sludge from different sewage treatment plants and P removal technologies. The results show that the percentage of P dissolution by bioacidification is always higher than the P dissolution by chemical acidification at equal pH for all types of sludge except for the settled primary sludge. The highest P dissolution was recorded for the sludge from the Enhanced Biological P Removal process assisted with Chemical P Removal process (EBPR-CPR) with around 65% of P dissolution. Three mechanisms were identified as contributing to the increased P dissolution by bioacidification: P release by the Polyphosphate Accumulating Organisms (PAO), P dissolution by pH decrease, and P dissolution by a biological activity at acidic pH (3.7-4) that includes iron reduction and aluminum dissolution. The principal component analysis and Pearson's correlation indicate that P dissolution by bioacidification is negatively correlated with the P-bound to ferric iron, hence positively correlated with the P-bound to ferrous iron, which characterizes the sludge from the EBPR-CPR process. This study suggests that the choice of the P removal technology significantly influences the P recovery from sewage sludge liquors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Patrick Dabert
- INRAE, UR1466 OPAALE, 17 av. De Cucillé, F-35044, Rennes, France.
| | - Fabien Vedrenne
- Veolia Environment, STED, 291 Av. Daniel Dreyfous-Ducas, 78520, Limay, France.
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36
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A safe haven of SARS-CoV-2 in the environment: Prevalence and potential transmission risks in the effluent, sludge, and biosolids. GEOSCIENCE FRONTIERS 2022; 13. [PMID: 37521134 PMCID: PMC8861126 DOI: 10.1016/j.gsf.2022.101373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, which has caused millions of death globally is recognized to be unstable and recalcitrant in the environment, especially in the way it has been evolving to form new and highly transmissible variants. Of particular concerns are human-environment interactions and the handling and reusing the environmental materials, such as effluents, sludge, or biosolids laden with the SARS-CoV-2 without adequate treatments, thereby suggesting potential transmission and health risks. This study assesses the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in effluents, sludge, and biosolids. Further, we evaluate the environmental, ecological, and health risks of reusing these environmental materials by wastewater/sludge workers and farmers. A systematic review of literature from the Scopus database resulted in a total of 21 articles (11 for effluents, 8 for sludge, and 2 for biosolids) that met the criteria for meta-analysis, which are then subdivided into 30 meta-analyzed studies. The prevalence of SAR-CoV-2 RNA in effluent and sludge based on random-effect models are 27.51 and 1012.25, respectively, with a 95% CI between 6.14 and 48.89 for the effluent, and 104.78 and 1019.71 for the sludge. However, the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the biosolids based on the fixed-effect model is 30.59, with a 95% CI between 10.10 and 51.08. The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in environmental materials indicates the inefficiency in some of the treatment systems currently deployed to inactivate and remove the novel virus, which could be a potential health risk concern to vulnerable wastewater workers in particular, and the environmental and ecological issues for the population at large. This timely review portends the associated risks in handling and reusing environmental materials without proper and adequate treatments.
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Guérin-Rechdaoui S, Bize A, Levesque-Ninio C, Janvier A, Lacroix C, Le Brizoual F, Barbier J, Amsaleg CR, Azimi S, Rocher V. Fate of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in wastewater treatment sludge during storage and thermophilic anaerobic digestion. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 214:114057. [PMID: 35995225 PMCID: PMC9391084 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Since the COVID-19 outbreak has started in late 2019, SARS-CoV-2 has been widely detected in human stools and in urban wastewater. No infectious SARS-CoV-2 particles have been detected in raw wastewater until now, but it has been reported occasionally in human stools. This has raised questions on the fate of SARS-CoV-2 during wastewater treatment and notably in its end-product, wastewater treatment sludge, which is classically valorized by land spreading for agricultural amendment. In the present work, we focused on SARS-CoV-2 stability in wastewater treatment sludge, either during storage (4 °C, room temperature) or thermophilic anaerobic digestion (50 °C). Anaerobic digestion is one of the possible processes for sludge valorization. Experiments were conducted in laboratory pilots; SARS-CoV-2 detection was based on RT-quantitative PCR or RT-digital droplet PCR. In addition to SARS-CoV-2, Bovine Coronavirus (BCoV) particles were used as surrogate virus. The RNA from SARS-CoV-2 particles, inactivated or not, was close to the detection limit but stable in wastewater treatment sludge, over the whole duration of the assays at 4 °C (55 days) and at ambient temperature (∼20 °C, 25 days). By contrast, the RNA levels of BCoV and inactivated SARS-CoV-2 particles decreased rapidly during the thermophilic anaerobic digestion of wastewater treatment sludge lasting for 5 days, with final levels that were close to the detection limit. Although the particles' infectivity was not assessed, these results suggest that thermophilic anaerobic digestion is a suitable process for sludge sanitation, consistent with previous knowledge on other coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ariane Bize
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, PROSE, Antony, 92160, France
| | - Camille Levesque-Ninio
- LABOCEA, Fougères. BioAgroPolis, 10 Rue Claude Bourgelat CS 30616 - Javené, Fougères Cedex, 35306, France
| | - Alice Janvier
- LABOCEA, Fougères. BioAgroPolis, 10 Rue Claude Bourgelat CS 30616 - Javené, Fougères Cedex, 35306, France
| | - Carlyne Lacroix
- SIAAP, Innovation Department, 82 Avenue Kléber, Colombes, 92700, France
| | - Florence Le Brizoual
- LABOCEA, Fougères. BioAgroPolis, 10 Rue Claude Bourgelat CS 30616 - Javené, Fougères Cedex, 35306, France
| | - Jérôme Barbier
- ID Solutions, Development Department, Grabels, 34790, France
| | | | - Sam Azimi
- SIAAP, Innovation Department, 82 Avenue Kléber, Colombes, 92700, France
| | - Vincent Rocher
- SIAAP, Innovation Department, 82 Avenue Kléber, Colombes, 92700, France
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38
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Physiological characteristics, geochemical properties and hydrological variables influencing pathogen migration in subsurface system: What we know or not? GEOSCIENCE FRONTIERS 2022; 13. [PMID: 37521131 PMCID: PMC8730742 DOI: 10.1016/j.gsf.2021.101346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The global outbreak of coronavirus infectious disease-2019 (COVID-19) draws attentions in the transport and spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in aerosols, wastewater, surface water and solid wastes. As pathogens eventually enter the subsurface system, e.g., soils in the vadose zone and groundwater in the aquifers, they might survive for a prolonged period of time owing to the uniqueness of subsurface environment. In addition, pathogens can transport in groundwater and contaminate surrounding drinking water sources, possessing long-term and concealed risks to human society. This work critically reviews the influential factors of pathogen migration, unravelling the impacts of pathogenic characteristics, vadose zone physiochemical properties and hydrological variables on the migration of typical pathogens in subsurface system. An assessment algorithm and two rating/weighting schemes are proposed to evaluate the migration abilities and risks of pathogens in subsurface environment. As there is still no evidence about the presence and distribution of SARS-CoV-2 in the vadose zones and aquifers, this study also discusses the migration potential and behavior of SARS-CoV-2 viruses in subsurface environment, offering prospective clues and suggestions for its potential risks in drinking water and effective prevention and control from hydrogeological points of view.
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Ye Y, Hao Ngo H, Guo W, Woong Chang S, Duc Nguyen D, Fu Q, Wei W, Ni B, Cheng D, Liu Y. A critical review on utilization of sewage sludge as environmental functional materials. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 363:127984. [PMID: 36126850 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Sewage sludge (SS) is increasingly used as an environment functional material to reduce or control pollution and improve plant growth because of the large amounts of carbon and essential plant nutrients in it. To achieve the best application results, it is essential to comprehensively review recent progress in SS utilization. This review aims to fill the gaps in knowledge by describing the properties of SS, and its usage as adsorbents, catalysts and fertilizers, and certain application mechanisms. Although SS generates several benefits for the environment and humans, many challenges still exist to limit the application, including the risks posed by potentially toxic substances (e.g., heavy metals) in SS. Therefore, future research directions are discussed and how to make SS applications more feasible in terms of technology and economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyao Ye
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Huu Hao Ngo
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia.
| | - Wenshan Guo
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Soon Woong Chang
- Department of Environmental Energy Engineering, Kyonggi University, 442-760, Republic of Korea
| | - Dinh Duc Nguyen
- Department of Environmental Energy Engineering, Kyonggi University, 442-760, Republic of Korea
| | - Qiang Fu
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Wei Wei
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Bingjie Ni
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Dongle Cheng
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, 2205 Songhu Road, Shanghai 200438, PR China
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Martins RM, Carvalho T, Bittar C, Quevedo DM, Miceli RN, Nogueira ML, Ferreira HL, Costa PI, Araújo JP, Spilki FR, Rahal P, Calmon MF. Long-Term Wastewater Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2: One-Year Study in Brazil. Viruses 2022; 14:v14112333. [PMID: 36366431 PMCID: PMC9692902 DOI: 10.3390/v14112333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is a tool involving the analysis of wastewater for chemicals and pathogens at the community level. WBE has been shown to be an effective surveillance system for SARS-CoV-2, providing an early-warning-detection system for disease prevalence in the community via the detection of genetic materials in the wastewater. In numerous nation-states, studies have indicated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater. Herein, we report the primary time-course monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater samples in São José do Rio Preto-SP/Brazil in order to explain the dynamics of the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA during one year of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and analyze possible relationships with other environmental parameters. We performed RNA quantification of SARS-CoV-2 by RT-qPCR using N1 and N2 targets. The proportion of positive samples for every target resulted in 100% and 96.6% for N1 and N2, respectively. A mean lag of -5 days is observed between the wastewater signal and the new SARS-CoV-2-positive cases reported. A correlation was found between the air and wastewater temperatures and therefore between the SARS-CoV-2 viral titers for N1 and N2 targets. We also observed a correlation between SARS-CoV-2 viral titers and media wastewater flow for the N1 target. In addition, we observed higher viral genome copies within the wastewater samples collected on non-rainy days for the N1 target. Thus, we propose that, based on our results, monitoring raw wastewater may be a broadly applicable strategy that might contribute to resolving the pressing problem of insufficient diagnostic testing; it may represent an inexpensive and early-warning method for future COVID-19 outbreaks, mainly in lower- and middle-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renan Moura Martins
- Laboratory of Genomic Studies, Institute of Biosciences, Letters and Exact Sciences (IBILCE), São Paulo State University (UNESP), São José do Rio Preto 15054-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Tamara Carvalho
- Laboratory of Genomic Studies, Institute of Biosciences, Letters and Exact Sciences (IBILCE), São Paulo State University (UNESP), São José do Rio Preto 15054-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Cintia Bittar
- Laboratory of Genomic Studies, Institute of Biosciences, Letters and Exact Sciences (IBILCE), São Paulo State University (UNESP), São José do Rio Preto 15054-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Daniela Muller Quevedo
- Institute of Exact and Technological Sciences (ICET), University Feevale, Novo Hamburgo 93525-075, RS, Brazil
| | - Rafael Nava Miceli
- SeMAE-Autonomous Municipal Water and Sewage Service, São José do Rio Preto 15048-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Mauricio Lacerda Nogueira
- Virology Research Laboratory (LPV), Faculty of Medicine of São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Helena Lage Ferreira
- Applied Preventive Veterinary Medicine Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering (FZEA), University of São Paulo (USP), Pirassununga 13635-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Paulo Inácio Costa
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara 14801-360, SP, Brazil
| | - João Pessoa Araújo
- Biotechnology Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18607-440, SP, Brazil
| | - Fernando Rosado Spilki
- Molecular Microbiology Laboratory, University Feevale, Novo Hamburgo 93525-075, RS, Brazil
| | - Paula Rahal
- Laboratory of Genomic Studies, Institute of Biosciences, Letters and Exact Sciences (IBILCE), São Paulo State University (UNESP), São José do Rio Preto 15054-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Marilia Freitas Calmon
- Laboratory of Genomic Studies, Institute of Biosciences, Letters and Exact Sciences (IBILCE), São Paulo State University (UNESP), São José do Rio Preto 15054-000, SP, Brazil
- Correspondence:
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Wang L, Hu Z, Yin H, Bradford SA, Luo J, Hou D. Aging of colloidal contaminants and pathogens in the soil environment: Implications for nanoplastic and COVID-19 risk mitigation. SOIL USE AND MANAGEMENT 2022; 39:SUM12849. [PMID: 36711026 PMCID: PMC9874619 DOI: 10.1111/sum.12849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Colloidal contaminants and pathogens are widely distributed in soil, whose tiny sizes and distinct surface properties render unique environmental behaviours. Because of aging, colloids can undergo dramatic changes in their physicochemical properties once in the soil environment, thus leading to diverse or even unpredictable environmental behaviour and fate. Herein, we provide a state-of-art review of colloid aging mechanisms and characteristics and implications for risk mitigation. First, we review aging-induced formation of colloidal contaminants and aging-associated changes. We place a special focus on emerging nanoplastic (NP) contaminants and associated physical, chemical, and biological aging processes in soil environments. Second, we assess aging and survival features of colloidal pathogens, especially viruses. Viruses in soils may survive from several days to months, or even several years in groundwater, depending on their rates of inactivation and the reversibility of attachment. Furthermore, we identify implications for risk mitigation based on aging mechanisms. Hotspots of (photo)chemical aging of NPs, including plastic gauzes at construction sites and randomly discarded plastic waste in rural areas, are identified as area requiring greater research attention. For COVID-19, we suggest taking greater care in regions where viruses are persist for long periods, such as cold climate regions. Soil amendment with quicklime (CaO) may act as an effective means for pathogen disinfection. Future risk mitigation of colloidal contaminants and pathogens relies on a better understanding of aging mechanisms and more sophisticated models accurately depicting processes in real soil environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liuwei Wang
- School of EnvironmentTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Zhongtao Hu
- School of EnvironmentTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
- Faculty of ScienceThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Hanbing Yin
- School of EnvironmentTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
- College of Environmental Science and EngineeringBeijing Forestry UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Scott A. Bradford
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research ServiceSustainable Agricultural Water Systems UnitDavisCaliforniaUSA
| | - Jian Luo
- School of Civil and Environmental EngineeringGeorgia Institute of TechnologyAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Deyi Hou
- School of EnvironmentTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
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Mahlknecht J. Presence and persistence of SARS-CoV-2 in aquatic environments: A mini-review. CURRENT OPINION IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & HEALTH 2022; 29:100385. [PMID: 35992049 PMCID: PMC9382236 DOI: 10.1016/j.coesh.2022.100385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The introduction of SARS-CoV-2 into water bodies via sewage raises public health concerns. For the assessment of public health risks, it is necessary to know the presence and persistence of infectious SARS-CoV-2 in water and wastewater. The present mini-review documents the occurrence and decay rates of viable infectious SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-2 RNA in different water matrices including wastewater, river water, groundwater, tap water, and seawater. Persistence of viable SARS-CoV-2 is mainly temperature dependent. A rapid inactivation of infectious SARS-CoV-2 is found in river water, sea water, and wastewater compared to tap water. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was found to be considerably more stable than infectious SARS-CoV-2, indicating that the environmental detection of RNA alone does not prove risk of infection. Persistence assays need to consider physicochemical and biological water composition as well as the effect of detergents, enzymes, and filtering particulate matter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen Mahlknecht
- Escuela de Ingenieria y Ciencias, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Monterrey, Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey, 64849, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
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Mousazadeh M, Kabdaşlı I, Khademi S, Sandoval MA, Moussavi SP, Malekdar F, Gilhotra V, Hashemi M, Dehghani MH. A critical review on the existing wastewater treatment methods in the COVID-19 era: What is the potential of advanced oxidation processes in combatting viral especially SARS-CoV-2? JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING 2022; 49:103077. [PMID: 35990175 PMCID: PMC9381433 DOI: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2022.103077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 epidemic has put the risk of virus contamination in water bodies on the horizon of health authorities. Hence, finding effective ways to remove the virus, especially SARS-CoV-2, from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) has emerged as a hot issue in the last few years. Herein, this study first deals with the fate of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material in WWTPs, then critically reviews and compares different wastewater treatment methods for combatting COVID-19 as well as to increase the water quality. This critical review sheds light the efficiency of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) to inactivate virus, specially SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Although several physicochemical treatment processes (e.g. activated sludge) are commonly used to eliminate pathogens, AOPs are the most versatile and effective virus inactivation methods. For instance, TiO2 is the most known and widely studied photo-catalyst innocuously utilized to degrade pollutants as well as to photo-induce bacterial and virus disinfection due to its high chemical resistance and efficient photo-activity. When ozone is dissolved in water and wastewater, it generates a wide spectrum of the reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are responsible to degrade materials in virus membranes resulting in destroying the cell wall. Furthermore, electrochemical advanced oxidation processes act through direct oxidation when pathogens react at the anode surface or by indirect oxidation through oxidizing species produced in the bulk solution. Consequently, they represent a feasible choice for the inactivation of a wide range of pathogens. Nonetheless, there are some challenges with AOPs which should be addressed for application at industrial-scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milad Mousazadeh
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Işık Kabdaşlı
- İstanbul Technical University, Civil Engineering Faculty, Environmental Engineering Department, Ayazağa Campus, 34469 Maslak, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Sara Khademi
- Health, Safety, and Environment Specialist, North Drilling Company, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Miguel Angel Sandoval
- Universidad de Santiago de Chile USACH, Facultad de Química y Biología, Departamento de Química de los Materiales, Laboratorio de Electroquímica Medio Ambiental, LEQMA, Casilla 40, Correo 33, Santiago, Chile
- Universidad de Guanajuato, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Noria Alta S/N, 36050, Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | | | - Fatemeh Malekdar
- Department of Foot and Mouth Disease Vaccine Production, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Karaj, Iran
| | - Vishakha Gilhotra
- Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India
| | - Marjan Hashemi
- Environmental and Occupational Hazards Control Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hadi Dehghani
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Institute for Environmental Research, Center for Solid Waste Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Masri NZ, Card KG, Caws EA, Babcock A, Powell R, Lowe CJ, Donovan S, Norum S, Lyons S, De Pol S, Kostenchuk L, Dorea C, Lachowsky NJ, Willerth SM, Fyles TM, Buckley HL. Testing specificity and sensitivity of wastewater-based epidemiology for detecting SARS-CoV-2 in four communities on Vancouver Island, Canada. ENVIRONMENTAL ADVANCES 2022; 9:100310. [PMID: 36321068 PMCID: PMC9613784 DOI: 10.1016/j.envadv.2022.100310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
We report wastewater surveillance of the spread of SARS-CoV-2 based upon 24-h composite influent samples taken weekly from four wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada between January 3, 2021 and July 10, 2021. Samples were analyzed by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction targeting the N1 and N2 gene fragments of SARS-CoV-2 and a region of the replication associate protein of the pepper mottle mosaic virus (PMMoV) serving as endemic control. Only a small proportion of samples had quantifiable levels of N1 or N2. Overall case rates are weakly correlated with the concentration (gene copies/L) and with the flux of viral material influent to the WWTP (gene copies/day); the latter accounts for influent flow variations. Poisson multimodal rank correlation accounts for differences between the four WWTP and shows a significant correlation with a significant positive intercept. Receiver operator characteristics (ROC) analysis confirms a cut-off of cases based on amplified/not-amplified experimental data. At the optimal cut point of 19 (N1) or 17 (N2) cases/week/100,000 the sensitivity and specificity is about 75% for N1 and 67% for N2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Zeina Masri
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | | | - Emmanuelle A Caws
- Department of Civil Engineering and Centre for Advanced Materials and Related Technologies (CAMTEC), University of Victoria, Canada
| | - Alana Babcock
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | | | | | - Shelley Donovan
- Environmental Monitoring Program, Capital Regional District, Canada
| | | | - Shirley Lyons
- Environmental Monitoring Program, Capital Regional District, Canada
| | | | | | - Caetano Dorea
- Department of Civil Engineering and Centre for Advanced Materials and Related Technologies (CAMTEC), University of Victoria, Canada
| | - Nathan J Lachowsky
- School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria, Canada
| | - Stephanie M Willerth
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria; Centre for Advanced Materials and Related Technologies (CAMTEC), University of Victoria, Canada
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Heather L Buckley
- Department of Civil Engineering, Department of Chemistry, and Centre for Advanced Materials and Related Technologies (CAMTEC), University of Victoria, Canada
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Castro GB, Bernegossi AC, Sousa BJDO, De Lima E Silva MR, Silva FRD, Freitas BLS, Ogura AP, Corbi JJ. Global occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 in environmental aquatic matrices and its implications for sanitation and vulnerabilities in Brazil and developing countries. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2022; 32:2160-2199. [PMID: 34310248 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2021.1949437] [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: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This paper includes a systematic review of the SARS-CoV-2 occurrence in environmental aquatic matrices and a critical sanitation analysis. We discussed the interconnection of sanitation services (wastewater, water supply, solid waste, and stormwater drainage) functioning as an important network for controlling the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in waters. We collected 98 studies containing data of the SARS-CoV-2 occurrence in aquatic matrices around the world, of which 40% were from developing countries. Alongside a significant number of people infected by the virus, developing countries face socioeconomic deficiencies and insufficient public investment in infrastructure. Therefore, our study focused on highlighting solutions to provide sanitation in developing countries, considering the virus control in waters by disinfection techniques and sanitary measures, including alternatives for the vulnerable communities. The need for multilateral efforts to improve the universal coverage of sanitation services demands urgent attention in a pandemic scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gleyson B Castro
- Department of Hydraulic and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Aline C Bernegossi
- Department of Hydraulic and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Bruno José de O Sousa
- Department of Hydraulic and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Fernando R Da Silva
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Luíza S Freitas
- Department of Hydraulic and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Allan P Ogura
- Department of Hydraulic and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
- PPG-SEA and CRHEA/SHS, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Juliano J Corbi
- Department of Hydraulic and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
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Hayden KR, Jones M, Elkin KR, Shreve MJ, Clees WI, Clark S, Mashtare ML, Veith TL, Elliott HA, Watson JE, Silverman J, Richard TL, Read AF, Preisendanz HE. Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on pharmaceuticals in wastewater treated for beneficial reuse: Two case studies in central Pennsylvania. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 2022; 51:1066-1082. [PMID: 35919971 PMCID: PMC9538887 DOI: 10.1002/jeq2.20398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, wastewater surveillance was leveraged as a powerful tool for monitoring community-scale health. Further, the well-known persistence of some pharmaceuticals through wastewater treatment plants spurred concerns that increased usage of pharmaceuticals during the pandemic would increase the concentrations in wastewater treatment plant effluent. We collected weekly influent and effluent samples from May 2020 through May 2021 from two wastewater treatment plants in central Pennsylvania, the Penn State Water Reclamation Facility and the University Area Joint Authority, that provide effluent for beneficial reuse, including for irrigation. Samples were analyzed for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (influent only), two over-the-counter medicines (acetaminophen and naproxen), five antibiotics (ampicillin, doxycycline, ofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole, and trimethoprim), two therapeutic agents (remdesivir and dexamethasone), and hydroxychloroquine. Although there were no correlations between pharmaceutical and virus concentration, remdesivir detection occurred when the number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 increased, and dexamethasone detection co-occurred with the presence of patients with COVID-19 on ventilators. Additionally, Penn State decision-making regarding instruction modes explained the temporal variation of influent pharmaceutical concentrations, with detection occurring primarily when students were on campus. Risk quotients calculated for pharmaceuticals with known effective and lethal concentrations at which 50% of a population is affected for fish, daphnia, and algae were generally low in the effluent; however, some acute risks from sulfamethoxazole were high when students returned to campus. Remdesivir and dexamethasone persisted through the wastewater treatment plants, thereby introducing novel pharmaceuticals directly to soils and surface water. These results highlight connections between human health and water quality and further demonstrate the broad utility of wastewater surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn R. Hayden
- Dep. of Agricultural and Biological EngineeringThe Pennsylvania State Univ.University ParkPA16802USA
| | - Matthew Jones
- Huck Institutes of Life SciencesThe Pennsylvania State Univ.University ParkPA16802USA
| | - Kyle R. Elkin
- USDA‐ARS Pasture Systems & Watershed Management Research UnitUniversity ParkPA16802USA
| | - Michael J. Shreve
- Dep. of Agricultural and Biological EngineeringThe Pennsylvania State Univ.University ParkPA16802USA
| | - William Irvin Clees
- Dep. of Agricultural and Biological EngineeringThe Pennsylvania State Univ.University ParkPA16802USA
| | - Shirley Clark
- School of Science, Engineering, and TechnologyThe Pennsylvania State Univ.HarrisburgPA17057USA
| | - Michael L. Mashtare
- Dep. of Agricultural and Biological EngineeringThe Pennsylvania State Univ.University ParkPA16802USA
| | - Tamie L. Veith
- USDA‐ARS Pasture Systems & Watershed Management Research UnitUniversity ParkPA16802USA
| | - Herschel A. Elliott
- Dep. of Agricultural and Biological EngineeringThe Pennsylvania State Univ.University ParkPA16802USA
| | - John E. Watson
- Dep. of Ecosystem Science and ManagementThe Pennsylvania State Univ.University ParkPA16802USA
| | - Justin Silverman
- College of Information Science and TechnologyThe Pennsylvania State Univ.University ParkPA16802USA
| | - Thomas L. Richard
- Dep. of Agricultural and Biological EngineeringThe Pennsylvania State Univ.University ParkPA16802USA
- Institutes of Energy and the EnvironmentThe Pennsylvania State Univ.University ParkPA16802USA
| | - Andrew F. Read
- Huck Institutes of Life SciencesThe Pennsylvania State Univ.University ParkPA16802USA
- Dep. of EntomologyThe Pennsylvania State Univ.University ParkPA16802USA
| | - Heather E. Preisendanz
- Dep. of Agricultural and Biological EngineeringThe Pennsylvania State Univ.University ParkPA16802USA
- Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, Food, and Environmental ScienceThe Pennsylvania State Univ.University ParkPA16802USA
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Farkas K, Pellett C, Alex-Sanders N, Bridgman MTP, Corbishley A, Grimsley JMS, Kasprzyk-Hordern B, Kevill JL, Pântea I, Richardson-O’Neill IS, Lambert-Slosarska K, Woodhall N, Jones DL. Comparative Assessment of Filtration- and Precipitation-Based Methods for the Concentration of SARS-CoV-2 and Other Viruses from Wastewater. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0110222. [PMID: 35950856 PMCID: PMC9430619 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01102-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has been widely used to track levels of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the rapid expansion of WBE, many methods have been used and developed for virus concentration and detection in wastewater. However, very little information is available on the relative performance of these approaches. In this study, we compared the performance of five commonly used wastewater concentration methods for the detection and quantification of pathogenic viruses (SARS-CoV-2, norovirus, rotavirus, influenza, and measles viruses), fecal indicator viruses (crAssphage, adenovirus, pepper mild mottle virus), and process control viruses (murine norovirus and bacteriophage Phi6) in laboratory spiking experiments. The methods evaluated included those based on either ultrafiltration (Amicon centrifugation units and InnovaPrep device) or precipitation (using polyethylene glycol [PEG], beef extract-enhanced PEG, and ammonium sulfate). The two best methods were further tested on 115 unspiked wastewater samples. We found that the volume and composition of the wastewater and the characteristics of the target viruses greatly affected virus recovery, regardless of the method used for concentration. All tested methods are suitable for routine virus concentration; however, the Amicon ultrafiltration method and the beef extract-enhanced PEG precipitation methods yielded the best recoveries. We recommend the use of ultrafiltration-based concentration for low sample volumes with high virus titers and ammonium levels and the use of precipitation-based concentration for rare pathogen detection in high-volume samples. IMPORTANCE As wastewater-based epidemiology is utilized for the surveillance of COVID-19 at the community level in many countries, it is crucial to develop and validate reliable methods for virus detection in sewage. The most important step in viral detection is the efficient concentration of the virus particles and/or their genome for subsequent analysis. In this study, we compared five different methods for the detection and quantification of different viruses in wastewater. We found that dead-end ultrafiltration and beef extract-enhanced polyethylene glycol precipitation were the most reliable approaches. We also discovered that sample volume and physico-chemical properties have a great effect on virus recovery. Hence, wastewater process methods and start volumes should be carefully selected in ongoing and future wastewater-based national surveillance programs for COVID-19 and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kata Farkas
- Centre for Environmental Biotechnology, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, United Kingdom
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Anglesey, United Kingdom
| | - Cameron Pellett
- Centre for Environmental Biotechnology, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, United Kingdom
| | - Natasha Alex-Sanders
- Centre for Environmental Biotechnology, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew T. P. Bridgman
- Centre for Environmental Biotechnology, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander Corbishley
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Roslin, United Kingdom
| | - Jasmine M. S. Grimsley
- UK Health Security Agency, Environmental Monitoring for Health Protection, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jessica L. Kevill
- Centre for Environmental Biotechnology, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, United Kingdom
| | - Igor Pântea
- Centre for Environmental Biotechnology, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, United Kingdom
| | - India S. Richardson-O’Neill
- Centre for Environmental Biotechnology, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, United Kingdom
| | - Kathryn Lambert-Slosarska
- Centre for Environmental Biotechnology, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, United Kingdom
| | - Nick Woodhall
- Centre for Environmental Biotechnology, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, United Kingdom
| | - Davey L. Jones
- Centre for Environmental Biotechnology, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, United Kingdom
- Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
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48
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Novoa B, Ríos-Castro R, Otero-Muras I, Gouveia S, Cabo A, Saco A, Rey-Campos M, Pájaro M, Fajar N, Aranguren R, Romero A, Panebianco A, Valdés L, Payo P, Alonso AA, Figueras A, Cameselle C. Wastewater and marine bioindicators surveillance to anticipate COVID-19 prevalence and to explore SARS-CoV-2 diversity by next generation sequencing: One-year study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 833:155140. [PMID: 35421481 PMCID: PMC8996449 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
This study presents the results of SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in sewage water of 11 municipalities and marine bioindicators in Galicia (NW of Spain) from May 2020 to May 2021. An integrated pipeline was developed including sampling, pre-treatment and biomarker quantification, RNA detection, SARS-CoV-2 sequencing, mechanistic mathematical modeling and forecasting. The viral load in the inlet stream to the wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) was used to detect new outbreaks of COVID-19, and the data of viral load in the wastewater in combination with data provided by the health system was used to predict the evolution of the pandemic in the municipalities under study within a time horizon of 7 days. Moreover, the study shows that the viral load was eliminated from the treated sewage water in the WWTP, mainly in the biological reactors and the disinfection system. As a result, we detected a minor impact of the virus in the marine environment through the analysis of seawater, marine sediments and, wild and aquacultured mussels in the final discharge point of the WWTP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Novoa
- Marine Research Institute IIM-CSIC, Spanish National Research Council, 36208 Vigo, Spain
| | - Raquel Ríos-Castro
- Marine Research Institute IIM-CSIC, Spanish National Research Council, 36208 Vigo, Spain
| | - Irene Otero-Muras
- Marine Research Institute IIM-CSIC, Spanish National Research Council, 36208 Vigo, Spain; Institute for Integrative Systems Biology I2SYSBIO (UV, CSIC), Spanish National Research Council, 46980 València, Spain
| | - Susana Gouveia
- Marine Research Institute IIM-CSIC, Spanish National Research Council, 36208 Vigo, Spain; University of Vigo, BiotecnIA Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, 36310 Vigo, Spain
| | - Adrián Cabo
- University of Vigo, BiotecnIA Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, 36310 Vigo, Spain; GESECO Aguas S.A. Vigo, Spain
| | - Amaro Saco
- Marine Research Institute IIM-CSIC, Spanish National Research Council, 36208 Vigo, Spain
| | - Magalí Rey-Campos
- Marine Research Institute IIM-CSIC, Spanish National Research Council, 36208 Vigo, Spain
| | - Manuel Pájaro
- Marine Research Institute IIM-CSIC, Spanish National Research Council, 36208 Vigo, Spain; CITIC Research Center, Department of Applied Mathematics, University of A Coruña, 15071 A Coruña, Spain
| | - Noelia Fajar
- Marine Research Institute IIM-CSIC, Spanish National Research Council, 36208 Vigo, Spain
| | - Raquel Aranguren
- Marine Research Institute IIM-CSIC, Spanish National Research Council, 36208 Vigo, Spain
| | - Alejandro Romero
- Marine Research Institute IIM-CSIC, Spanish National Research Council, 36208 Vigo, Spain
| | - Antonella Panebianco
- Marine Research Institute IIM-CSIC, Spanish National Research Council, 36208 Vigo, Spain
| | - Lorena Valdés
- Marine Research Institute IIM-CSIC, Spanish National Research Council, 36208 Vigo, Spain
| | | | - Antonio A Alonso
- Marine Research Institute IIM-CSIC, Spanish National Research Council, 36208 Vigo, Spain
| | - Antonio Figueras
- Marine Research Institute IIM-CSIC, Spanish National Research Council, 36208 Vigo, Spain
| | - Claudio Cameselle
- University of Vigo, BiotecnIA Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, 36310 Vigo, Spain.
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49
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Li J, Liu J, Yu H, Zhao W, Xia X, You S, Zhang J, Tong H, Wei L. Sources, fates and treatment strategies of typical viruses in urban sewage collection/treatment systems: A review. DESALINATION 2022; 534:115798. [PMID: 35498908 PMCID: PMC9033450 DOI: 10.1016/j.desal.2022.115798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) throughout the world has severely threatened the global economy and public health. Due to receiving severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from a wide variety of sources (e.g., households, hospitals, slaughterhouses), urban sewage treatment systems are regarded as an important path for the transmission of waterborne viruses. This review presents a quantitative profile of the concentration distribution of typical viruses within wastewater collection systems and evaluates the influence of different characteristics of sewer systems on virus species and concentration. Then, the efficiencies and mechanisms of virus removal in the units of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are summarized and compared, among which the inactivation efficiencies of typical viruses by typical disinfection approaches under varied operational conditions are elucidated. Subsequently, the occurrence and removal of viruses in treated effluent reuse and desalination, as well as that in sewage sludge treatment, are discussed. Potential dissemination of viruses is emphasized by occurrence via aerosolization from toilets, the collection system and WWTP aeration, which might have a vital role in the transmission and spread of viruses. Finally, the frequency and concentration of viruses in reclaimed water, the probability of infection are also reviewed for discussing the potential health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianju Li
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Jing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
- School of Geosciences, China University of Petroleum, Qingdao 266580, China
| | - Hang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Weixin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Xinhui Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Shijie You
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Hailong Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
- Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150069, China
| | - Liangliang Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
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50
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Jia X, Shahzad K, Klemeš JJ, Jia X. Changes in water use and wastewater generation influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic: A case study of China. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 314:115024. [PMID: 35447447 PMCID: PMC8986492 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115024] [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: 01/08/2022] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
This paper examines and projects the water use and wastewater generation during and after the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) in China, and discussed the water use/wastewater generation pattern changes among different sectors. Existing studies on the impact of pandemic spread-prevention measures on water consumption and wastewater treatment during the pandemic are reviewed. The water use and wastewater discharge in China through the COVID-19 period are then projected and analyzed using Multivariate Linear Regression. The projection is carried out for years 2019-2023 and covers an (estimated) full process of pre-pandemic, pandemic outbreak, and recovery phase and provides essential information for determining the complete phase impact of the COVID-19. Two scenarios, i.e. the recovery scenario and the business as usual scenario, are set to investigate the water use and wastewater generation characteristics after the pandemic. The results imply that in both scenarios, the water use in China shows a V-shaped trend from 2019 to 2023 and reached a low point in 2020 of 5,813✕108 m3. The wastewater discharge shows an increasing trend throughout the COVID period in both scenarios. The results are also compared with the water consumption and wastewater generation during the SARS-CoV-1 period. The implication for policymakers is the possible increase of water use and wastewater discharge in the post COVID period and the necessity to ensure the water supply and control of water pollution and wastewater discharge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuexiu Jia
- Sustainable Process Integration Laboratory - SPIL, NETME Centre, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Brno University of Technology - VUT Brno, Technická 2896/2, 616 69, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Khurram Shahzad
- Center of Excellence in Environmental Studies, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Jiří Jaromír Klemeš
- Sustainable Process Integration Laboratory - SPIL, NETME Centre, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Brno University of Technology - VUT Brno, Technická 2896/2, 616 69, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Xiaoping Jia
- Qingdao University of Science and Technology, 99 Songling Rd, Laoshan District, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
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