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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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2
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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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Gitter A, Bauer C, Wu F, Ramphul R, Chavarria C, Zhang K, Petrosino J, Mezzari M, Gallegos G, Terwilliger AL, Clark JR, Feliz K, Avadhanula V, Piedra T, Weesner K, Maresso A, Mena KD. Assessment of a SARS-CoV-2 wastewater monitoring program in El Paso, Texas, from November 2020 to June 2022. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2024; 34:564-574. [PMID: 36595614 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2022.2159017] [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: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The border city of El Paso, Texas, and its water utility, El Paso Water, initiated a SARS-CoV-2 wastewater monitoring program to assess virus trends and the appropriateness of a wastewater monitoring program for the community. Nearly weekly sample collection at four wastewater treatment facilities (WWTFs), serving distinct regions of the city, was analyzed for SARS-CoV-2 genes using the CDC 2019-Novel coronavirus Real-Time RT-PCR diagnostic panel. Virus concentrations ranged from 86.7 to 268,000 gc/L, varying across time and at each WWTF. The lag time between virus concentrations in wastewater and reported COVID-19 case rates (per 100,00 population) ranged from 4-24 days for the four WWTFs, with the strongest trend occurring from November 2021 - June 2022. This study is an assessment of the utility of a geographically refined SARS-CoV-2 wastewater monitoring program to supplement public health efforts that will manage the virus as it becomes endemic in El Paso.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Gitter
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics & Environmental Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Cici Bauer
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Fuqing Wu
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics & Environmental Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ryan Ramphul
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics & Environmental Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Carlos Chavarria
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics & Environmental Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kehe Zhang
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Gabriela Gallegos
- Department of Management, Policy & Community Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Karen Feliz
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Tony Piedra
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Kristina D Mena
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics & Environmental Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, Houston, TX, USA
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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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Kisand V, Laas P, Palmik-Das K, Panksep K, Tammert H, Albreht L, Allemann H, Liepkalns L, Vooro K, Ritz C, Hauryliuk V, Tenson T. Prediction of COVID-19 positive cases, a nation-wide SARS-CoV-2 wastewater-based epidemiology study. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 231:119617. [PMID: 36682239 PMCID: PMC9845016 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Taking advantage of Estonia's small size and population, we have employed wastewater-based epidemiology approach to monitor the spread of SARS-CoV-2, releasing weekly nation-wide updates. In this study we report results obtained between August 2020 and December 2021. Weekly 24 h composite samples were collected from wastewater treatment plants of larger towns already covered 65% of the total population that was complemented up to 40 additional grab samples from smaller towns/villages and the specific sites of concern. The N3 gene abundance was quantified by RT-qPCR. The N3 gene copy number (concentration) in wastewater fluctuated in accordance with the SARS-CoV-2 spread within the total population, with N3 abundance starting to increase 1.25 weeks (9 days) (95% CI: [1.10, 1.41]) before a rise in COVID-19 positive cases. Statistical model between the load of virus in wastewater and number of infected people validated with the Alpha variant wave (B.1.1.17) could be used to predict the order of magnitude in incidence numbers in Delta wave (B.1.617.2) in fall 2021. Targeted testing of student dormitories, retirement and nursing homes and prisons resulted in successful early discovery of outbreaks. We put forward a SARS-CoV-2 Wastewater Index (SARS2-WI) indicator of normalized virus load as COVID-19 infection metric to complement the other metrics currently used in disease control and prevention: dynamics of effective reproduction number (Re), 7-day mean of new cases, and a sum of new cases within last 14 days. In conclusion, an efficient surveillance system that combines analysis of composite and grab samples was established in Estonia. There is considerable discussion how the viral load in wastewater correlates with the number of infected people. Here we show that this correlation can be found. Moreover, we confirm that an increased signal in wastewater is observed before the increase in the number of infections. The surveillance system helped to inform public health policy and place direct interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic in Estonia via early warning of epidemic spread in various regions of the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veljo Kisand
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Estonia.
| | - Peeter Laas
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Estonia
| | | | | | - Helen Tammert
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Estonia
| | | | - Hille Allemann
- Estonian Environmental Research Centre, Tallinn, Estonia
| | | | - Katri Vooro
- Estonian Environmental Research Centre, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Christian Ritz
- Department of Population Health and Morbidity, National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Vasili Hauryliuk
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Estonia; Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Sweden
| | - Tanel Tenson
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Estonia.
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Fatimazahra S, Latifa M, Laila S, Monsif K. Review of hospital effluents: special emphasis on characterization, impact, and treatment of pollutants and antibiotic resistance. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:393. [PMID: 36780024 PMCID: PMC9923651 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11002-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Health care institutions generate large volumes of liquid effluents from specific activities related to healthcare, analysis, and research. Their direct discharge into the environment has various negative effects on aquatic environments and human health, due to their high organic matter charges and the presence of various emerging contaminants such as disinfectants, drugs, bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Moreover, hospital effluents, by carrying antibiotics, contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms in the environment. This resistance has become a global issue that manifests itself variously in different countries, causing the transmission of different infections. In this respect, an effort is provided to protect water resources by current treatment methods that imply physical-chemical processes such as adsorption and advanced oxidation processes, biological processes such as activated sludge and membrane bioreactors and other hybrid techniques. The purpose of this review is to improve the knowledge on the composition and impact of hospital wastewater on man and the environment, highlighting the different treatment techniques appropriate to this type of disposal before discharge into the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayerh Fatimazahra
- Process Engineering and Environment Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Technology of Mohammedia, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Mouhir Latifa
- Process Engineering and Environment Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Technology of Mohammedia, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Saafadi Laila
- Process Engineering and Environment Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Technology of Mohammedia, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Khazraji Monsif
- Process Engineering and Environment Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Technology of Mohammedia, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco
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7
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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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Mare R, Mare C, Hadarean A, Hotupan A, Rus T. COVID-19 and Water Variables: Review and Scientometric Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:957. [PMID: 36673718 PMCID: PMC9859563 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20020957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 has changed the world since 2020, and the field of water specifically, boosting scientific productivity (in terms of published articles). This paper focuses on the influence of COVID-19 on scientific productivity with respect to four water variables: (i) wastewater, (ii) renewable water resources, (iii) freshwater withdrawal, and (iv) access to improved and safe drinking water. The field's literature was firstly reviewed, and then the maps were built, emphasizing the strong connections between COVID-19 and water-related variables. A total of 94 countries with publications that assess COVID-19 vs. water were considered and evaluated for how they clustered. The final step of the research shows that, on average, scientific productivity on the water topic was mostly conducted in countries with lower COVID-19 infection rates but higher development levels as represented by gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and the human development index (HDI). According to the statistical analysis, the water-related variables are highly significant, with positive coefficients. This validates that countries with higher water-related values conducted more research on the relationship with COVID-19. Wastewater and freshwater withdrawal had the highest impact on the scientific productivity with respect to COVID-19. Access to safe drinking water becomes insignificant in the presence of the development parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxana Mare
- Department of Building Services Engineering, Faculty of Building Services Engineering, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 128-130 21 Decembrie 1989 Blv., 400604 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Codruța Mare
- Department of Statistics-Forecasts-Mathematics, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Babes-Bolyai University, 58-60 Teodor Mihali Str., 400591 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Data Science, Babes-Bolyai University, 68 Avram Iancu Str., 4th Floor, 400083 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Adriana Hadarean
- Department of Building Services Engineering, Faculty of Building Services Engineering, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 128-130 21 Decembrie 1989 Blv., 400604 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Anca Hotupan
- Department of Building Services Engineering, Faculty of Building Services Engineering, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 128-130 21 Decembrie 1989 Blv., 400604 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Tania Rus
- Department of Building Services Engineering, Faculty of Building Services Engineering, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 128-130 21 Decembrie 1989 Blv., 400604 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Zhang X, Zhang L, Wang Y, Zhang M, Zhou J, Liu X, Wang Y, Qu C, Han W, Hou M, Deng F, Luo Y, Mao Y, Gu W, Dong Z, Pan Y, Zhang D, Tang S, Zhang L. Detection of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant in the Transboundary Rivers of Yunnan, China. ACS ES&T WATER 2022; 2:2367-2377. [PMID: 37552741 PMCID: PMC9631342 DOI: 10.1021/acsestwater.2c00224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Ruili and Longchuan, two border counties in southwestern China, are facing epidemic control challenges due to the high rate of COVID-19 infections originating from neighboring Myanmar. Here, we aimed to establish the applicability of wastewater and environmental water surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 and conduct whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to trace the possible infection origin. In August 2021, total 72 wastewater and river water samples were collected from 32 sampling sites. SARS-CoV-2 ORF1ab and N genes were measured by RT-qPCR. We found that 19 samples (26.39%) were positive, and the viral loads of ORF1ab and N genes were 6.62 × 102-2.55×105 and 1.86 × 103-2.32 × 105 copies/L, respectively. WGS further indicated the sequences in two transboundary river samples, and one hospital wastewater sample belonged to the delta variant, suggesting that the infection source might be areas with high COVID-19 delta variant incidence in Southeast Asia (e.g., Myanmar). We reported for the first time the detection and quantification of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the transboundary rivers of Myanmar-China. Our findings demonstrate that wastewater and environmental water may provide independent and nonintrusive surveillance points to monitor the global spread of emerging COVID-19 variants of concern, particularly in high-risk regions or border areas with considerable epidemic challenges and poor wastewater treatment facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Zhang
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population
Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for
Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing100021,
China
| | - Liang Zhang
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population
Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for
Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing100021,
China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population
Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for
Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing100021,
China
| | - Meiling Zhang
- Acute Infectious Disease Prevention and Control
Institute, Yunnan Center for Disease Control and Prevention,
Kunming, Yunnan650022, China
| | - Jienan Zhou
- Acute Infectious Disease Prevention and Control
Institute, Yunnan Center for Disease Control and Prevention,
Kunming, Yunnan650022, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Ruili Center for Disease Control and
Prevention, Ruili, Yunnan678599, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Ruili Center for Disease Control and
Prevention, Ruili, Yunnan678599, China
| | - Changsheng Qu
- Longchuan Center for Disease Control and
Prevention, Longchuan, Yunnan678799, China
| | - Wenxiang Han
- Longchuan Center for Disease Control and
Prevention, Longchuan, Yunnan678799, China
| | - Min Hou
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population
Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for
Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing100021,
China
| | - Fuchang Deng
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population
Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for
Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing100021,
China
| | - Yueyun Luo
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population
Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for
Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing100021,
China
| | - Yixin Mao
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population
Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for
Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing100021,
China
| | - Wen Gu
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population
Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for
Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing100021,
China
| | - Zhaomin Dong
- School of Space and Environment, Beihang
University, Beijing100191, China
| | - Yang Pan
- Institute for Infectious Disease and Endemic Disease Control,
Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control,
Beijing100013, China
| | - Daitao Zhang
- Institute for Infectious Disease and Endemic Disease Control,
Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control,
Beijing100013, China
| | - Song Tang
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population
Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for
Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing100021,
China
| | - Lan Zhang
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population
Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for
Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing100021,
China
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10
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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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11
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Roman MD, Sava C, Iluțiu-Varvara DA, Mare R, Pruteanu LL, Pică EM, Jäntschi L. Biological Activated Sludge from Wastewater Treatment Plant before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:11323. [PMID: 36141596 PMCID: PMC9517470 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191811323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and the related measures brought a change in daily life that affected the characteristics of the municipal wastewater and further, of the biological activated sludge. The activated sludge process is the most widely used biological wastewater treatment process in developed areas. In this paper, we aim to show the situation of specific investigations concerning the variation of the physicochemical parameters and biological composition of the activated sludge from one conventional wastewater treatment plant from a metropolitan area. The investigations were carried out for three years: 2019, 2020 and 2021. The results showed the most representative taxa of microorganisms: Microtrix, Aspidisca cicada, Vorticella convallaria, Ciliata free of the unknown and Epistylis and Rotifers. Even if other microorganisms were found in the sludge flocs, their small presence did not influence in any way the quality of the activated sludge and of the wastewater treatment process. That is why we conclude that protozoa (especially Flagellates and Ciliates) and rotifers were the most important. Together with the values and variation of the physicochemical parameters, they indicated a good, healthy, and stable activated sludge, along with an efficient purifying treatment process, no matter the loading conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marius-Daniel Roman
- Faculty of Building Services Engineering, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 28 Memorandumului Street, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Cornel Sava
- Faculty of Engineering Materials and the Environment, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 28 Memorandumului Street, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Dana-Adriana Iluțiu-Varvara
- Faculty of Building Services Engineering, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 28 Memorandumului Street, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Roxana Mare
- Faculty of Building Services Engineering, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 28 Memorandumului Street, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Lavinia-Lorena Pruteanu
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, North University Center at Baia Mare, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 76 Victoriei Street, 430122 Baia Mare, Romania
| | - Elena Maria Pică
- Faculty of Engineering Materials and the Environment, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 28 Memorandumului Street, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Lorentz Jäntschi
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 103-105 Bd. Muncii, 400641 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Institute for Doctoral Studies, Babes-Bolyai University, 1 M. Kogălniceanu Street, 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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12
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Mohammadi A, Soleimani A, Abdolahnejad A, Ahmed M, Akther T, Nemati-Mansour S, Raeghi S, Rashedi GH, Miri M. SARS-CoV-2 detection in hospital indoor environments, NW Iran. ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION RESEARCH 2022; 13:101511. [PMID: 35880204 PMCID: PMC9301582 DOI: 10.1016/j.apr.2022.101511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the potential contamination of SARS-CoV-2 in indoor settled dust and surfaces of Amir Al-Muminin hospital in Maragheh, Iran. Samples were taken from surfaces and settled dust using a passive approach and particulate matter (PM) using an active approach from different hospital wards. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 15% of settled dust samples (N = 4/26) and 10% of surface samples (3/30). SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in 13.8% and 9.1% of the dust samples collected at a distance of fewer than 1 m and more than 3 m from the patient bed, respectively. SARS-CoV-2 was found in 11% of surface samples from low-touch surfaces and 8% from high touch surfaces. The relationship between PM2.5, PM10, humidity, temperature, and positive samples of SARS-CoV-2 was investigated. A positive correlation was observed between relative humidity, PM2.5, and positive SARS-CoV-2 samples. Principal component analysis (PCA) suggested positive correlation between positive SARS-CoV-2 samples, relative humidity, and PM2.5. Risk assessment results indicated that the annual mean infection risk of SARS-CoV-2 for hospital staff with illness and death was 2.6 × 10-2 and 7.7 × 10-4 per person per year. Current findings will help reduce the permanence of viral particles in the COVID 19 tragedy and future similar pandemics e.g., novel influenza viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Mohammadi
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran
| | - Ali Soleimani
- Department of Public Health, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran
| | - Ali Abdolahnejad
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran
| | - Morshad Ahmed
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77024, United States
| | - Tanzina Akther
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77024, United States
| | | | - Saber Raeghi
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran
| | - Gholam Hossein Rashedi
- Expert of Environmental Health Engineering, Amir Al-muminin Hospital, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran
| | - Mohammad Miri
- Non-communicable Disease Research Center, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
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13
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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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14
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Gholipour S, Ghalhari MR, Nikaeen M, Rabbani D, Pakzad P, Miranzadeh MB. Occurrence of viruses in sewage sludge: A systematic review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 824:153886. [PMID: 35182626 PMCID: PMC8848571 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Enteric viruses are of great importance in wastewater due to their high excretion from infected individuals, low removal in wastewater treatment processes, long-time survival in the environment, and low infectious dose. Among the other viruses, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) surveillance in wastewater systems has received particular attention as a result of the current COVID-19 epidemic. Viruses adhering to solid particles in wastewater treatment processes will end up as sewage sludge, and therefore insufficient sludge treatment may result in viral particles dissemination into the environment. Here, we review data on viruses' presence in sewage sludge, their detection and concentration methods, and information on human health issues associated with sewage sludge land application. We used combinations of the following keywords in the Scopus, Web of Science (WOS), and PubMed databases, which were published between 2010 and January 21th, 2022: sludge (sewage sludge, biosolids, sewage solids, wastewater solids) and virus (enteric virus, viral particles, viral contamination, SARS-CoV-2, coronavirus). The sources were searched twice, once with and then without the common enteric virus names (adenovirus, rotavirus, norovirus, enterovirus, hepatitis A virus). Studies suggest adenovirus and norovirus as the most prevalent enteric viruses in sewage sludge. Indeed, other viruses include rotavirus, hepatitis A virus, and enterovirus were frequently found in sewage sludge samples. Untreated biological sludge and thickened sludge showed more viral contamination level than digested sludge and the lowest prevalence of viruses was reported in lime stabilized sludge. The review reveals that land application of sewage sludge may pose viral infection risks to people due to accidently ingestion of sludge or intake of crops grown in biosolids amended soil. Moreover, contamination of groundwater and/or surface water may occur due to land application of sewage sludge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Gholipour
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Rezvani Ghalhari
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahnaz Nikaeen
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Davarkhah Rabbani
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Parichehr Pakzad
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Bagher Miranzadeh
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.
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15
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Fate and Transportation of Viruses from Reclaimed Water into a Floatation System. WATER 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/w14050781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The fate and transport of viruses in floatation systems is considerably important for accurate determination of the safety of reusing reclaimed water in the flotation process. Herein, simulation experiments on the floatation, adsorption and desorption were performed to examine the effect of initial virus concentration, pH and floatation reagents on the adsorption of viruses ΦΧ174 and MS2 onto copper–molybdenum ores. The transport of viruses in the flotation systems was also investigated. The viruses in the reclaimed water were rapidly adsorbed onto the ore particles, suggesting that tailing wastewater can be safely reused for floatation. However, the adsorbed viruses in the concentrates, middlings and tailings may pose health risks at certain exposure levels. The transport of viruses was dominated by their attachment to ore particles, with most being inactivated or irreversibly adsorbed. The removal and adsorption rates decreased as the initial virus concentration increased, and the removal rate decreased as pH was increased from 7.5 to 9.5. In comparison with MS2, ΦΧ174 was removed more effectively. This suggested that electrostatic repulsion is an important mechanism because MS2 has a greater negative charge. The attachment of both ΦΧ174 and MS2 onto the mineral particles increased significantly in the presence of PJ053 and CaO.
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