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Wei ZY, Feng M, Zhang DX, Jiang CY, Deng Y, Wang ZJ, Feng K, Song Y, Zhou N, Wang YL, Liu SJ. Deep insights into the assembly mechanisms, co-occurrence patterns, and functional roles of microbial community in wastewater treatment plants. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 263:120029. [PMID: 39299446 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.120029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2024] [Revised: 09/11/2024] [Accepted: 09/17/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024]
Abstract
The understanding of activated sludge microbial status and roles is imperative for improving and enhancing the performance of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). In this study, we conducted a deep analysis of activated sludge microbial communities across five compartments (inflow, effluent, and aerobic, anoxic, anaerobic tanks) over temporal scales, employing high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA amplicons and metagenome data. Clearly discernible seasonal patterns, exhibiting cyclic variations, were observed in microbial diversity, assembly, co-occurrence network, and metabolic functions. Notably, summer samples exhibited higher α-diversity and were distinctly separated from winter samples. Our analysis revealed that microbial community assembly is influenced by both stochastic processes (66%) and deterministic processes (34%), with winter samples demonstrating more random assembly compared to summer. Co-occurrence patterns were predominantly mutualistic, with over 96% positive correlations, and summer networks were more organized than those in winter. These variations were significantly correlated with temperature, total phosphorus and sludge volume index. However, no significant differences were found among microbial community across five compartments in terms of β diversity. A core community of keystone taxa was identified, playing key roles in eight nitrogen and eleven phosphorus cycling pathways. Understanding the assembly mechanisms, co-occurrence patterns, and functional roles of microbial communities is essential for the design and optimization of biotechnological treatment processes in WWTPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Yan Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Min Feng
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ding-Xi Zhang
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Cheng-Ying Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ye Deng
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology of CAS, Research Center for Eco- Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhu-Jun Wang
- School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry (School of Agriculture and Rural Affairs & School of Rural Revitalization), Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Kai Feng
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology of CAS, Research Center for Eco- Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Song
- PetroChina Planning and Engineering Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Nan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yu-Lin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Shuang-Jiang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China.
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2
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Al-Mashaqbeh O, Alsalhi L, Salaymeh L, Dotro G, Lyu T. Treatment of pharmaceutical industry wastewater for water reuse in Jordan using hybrid constructed wetlands. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 939:173634. [PMID: 38823717 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173634] [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: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 05/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
Developing cost-efficient wastewater treatment technologies for safe reuse is essential, especially in developing countries simultaneously facing water scarcity. This study developed and evaluated a hybrid constructed wetlands (CWs) approach, incorporating tidal flow (TF) operation and utilising local Jordanian zeolite as a wetland substrate for real pharmaceutical industry wastewater treatment. Over 273 days of continuous monitoring, the results revealed that the first-stage TFCWs filled with either raw or modified zeolite performed significantly higher reductions in Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD, 58 %-60 %), Total Nitrogen (TN, 32 %-37 %), and Phosphate (PO4, 46 %-64 %) compared to TFCWs filled with normal sand. Water quality further improved after the second stage of horizontal subsurface flow CWs treatment, achieving log removals of 1.09-2.47 for total coliform and 1.89-2.09 for E. coli. With influent pharmaceutical concentrations ranging from 275 to 2000 μg/L, the zeolite-filled hybrid CWs achieved complete removal (>98 %) for ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, erythromycin, and enrofloxacin, moderate removal (43 %-81 %) for flumequine and lincomycin, and limited removal (<8 %) for carbamazepine and diclofenac. The overall accumulation of pharmaceuticals in plant tissue and substrate adsorption accounted for only 2.3 % and 4.3 %, respectively, of the total mass removal. Biodegradation of these pharmaceuticals (up to 61 %) through microbial-mediated processes or within plant tissues was identified as the key removal pathway. For both conventional pollutants and pharmaceuticals, modified zeolite wetland media could only slightly enhance treatment without a significant difference between the two treatment groups. The final effluent from all hybrid CWs complied with Jordanian treated industry wastewater reuse standards (category III), and systems filled with raw or modified zeolite achieved over 95 % of samples meeting the highest water reuse category I. This study provides evidence of using hybrid CWs technology as a nature-based solution to address water safety and scarcity challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Othman Al-Mashaqbeh
- Emerging Pollutants Research Unit, Royal Scientific Society, P.O. Box 1438, Amman, 11941, Jordan
| | - Layal Alsalhi
- Emerging Pollutants Research Unit, Royal Scientific Society, P.O. Box 1438, Amman, 11941, Jordan
| | - Lana Salaymeh
- Emerging Pollutants Research Unit, Royal Scientific Society, P.O. Box 1438, Amman, 11941, Jordan
| | - Gabriela Dotro
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, College Road, Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, United Kingdom
| | - Tao Lyu
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, College Road, Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, United Kingdom.
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3
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Miyar HK, Jathanna NN, Selvaraj R, Vinayagam R, Pugazhendhi A, Goveas LC. Multifunctional hydrophobin-like protein (HFB-NJ1): A versatile solution for wastewater treatment. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 255:119139. [PMID: 38750996 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119139] [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: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
As wastewater contains a variety of contaminating bacteria and oily residues, there is an urgent need for environmentally safe bactericidal agents and surfactants which can be applied for wastewater treatment. The present study emphasizes on the potential of hydrophobin-like protein (HFB-NJ1) extracted from sporulating mycelia of Aspergillus sp. NJ1 for wastewater treatment. The purified HFB-NJ1, depicted the presence of one single protein band of molecular size approximately 11-12 kDa on silver-stained SDS-PAGE gel. HFB-NJ1 also presented properties such as surface modification of glass and stable emulsification of sunflower oil. HFB-NJ1 depicted exceptional antibacterial activity against bacterial pathogens such as Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa at low MIC of 0.5 μg/mL and 0.75 μg/mL respectively. Additionally, HFB-NJ1 depicted enhanced emulsification of various vegetable and petroleum-based oils (E24 > 80%). HFB-NJ1 effectively reduced gold ions, producing nanospheres with a size of 15.33 nm - a recognized antimicrobial agent. This study underscores the multifunctional attributes of HFB-NJ1, highlighting its efficacy in removing pathogenic bacteria, emulsifying organic compounds from wastewater, and demonstrating a reduction ability for nanoparticle synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harshitha Kamath Miyar
- Nitte (Deemed to be University), Department of Biotechnology Engineering, NMAM Institute of Technology (NMAMIT), Nitte, India
| | - Neetha Nirupam Jathanna
- Nitte (Deemed to be University), Nitte University Centre for Science Education and Research (NUCSER), Mangalore, India
| | - Raja Selvaraj
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Ramesh Vinayagam
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - A Pugazhendhi
- School of Engineering, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon; Centre for Herbal Pharmacology and Environmental Sustainability, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, 603103, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Louella Concepta Goveas
- Nitte (Deemed to be University), Department of Biotechnology Engineering, NMAM Institute of Technology (NMAMIT), Nitte, India.
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4
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Wang C, Wei W, Wu L, Wang Y, Dai X, Ni BJ. A Novel Sustainable and Self-Sufficient Biotechnological Strategy for Directly Transforming Sewage Sludge into High-Value Liquid Biochemicals. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:12520-12531. [PMID: 38953238 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c03165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
Sewage sludge, as a carbon-rich byproduct of wastewater treatment, holds significant untapped potential as a renewable resource. Upcycling this troublesome waste stream represents great promise in addressing global escalating energy demands through its wide practice of biochemical recovery concurrently. Here, we propose a biotechnological concept to gain value-added liquid bioproducts from sewage sludge in a self-sufficient manner by directly transforming sludge into medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs). Our findings suggest that yeast, a cheap and readily available commercial powder, would involve ethanol-type fermentation in chain elongation to achieve abundant MCFA production from sewage sludge using electron donors (i.e., ethanol) and acceptors (i.e., short-chain fatty acids) produced in situ. The enhanced abundance and transcriptional activity of genes related to key enzymes, such as butyryl-CoA dehydrogenase and alcohol dehydrogenase, affirm the robust capacity for the self-sustained production of MCFAs. This is indicative of an effective metabolic network established between yeast and anaerobic microorganisms within this innovative sludge fermentation framework. Furthermore, life cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis evidence the sustainability and economic competitiveness of this biotechnological strategy. Overall, this work provides insights into sewage sludge upgrading independent of additional carbon input, which can be applied in existing anaerobic sludge fermentation infrastructure as well as to develop new applications in a diverse range of industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Wang
- Water Research Centre, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Wei Wei
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Lan Wu
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Yun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Xiaohu Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Bing-Jie Ni
- Water Research Centre, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- 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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5
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Boithias L, Jardé E, Latsachack K, Thammahacksa C, Silvera N, Soulileuth B, Xayyalart M, Viguier M, Pierret A, Rochelle-Newall E, Ribolzi O. Village Settlements in Mountainous Tropical Areas, Hotspots of Fecal Contamination as Evidenced by Escherichia coli and Stanol Concentrations in Stormwater Pulses. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:6335-6348. [PMID: 38530925 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c09090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Fecal bacteria in surface water may indicate threats to human health. Our hypothesis is that village settlements in tropical rural areas are major hotspots of fecal contamination because of the number of domestic animals usually roaming in the alleys and the lack of fecal matter treatment before entering the river network. By jointly monitoring the dynamics of Escherichia coli and of seven stanol compounds during four flood events (July-August 2016) at the outlet of a ditch draining sewage and surface runoff out of a village of Northern Lao PDR, our objectives were (1) to assess the range of E. coli concentration in the surface runoff washing off from a village settlement and (2) to identify the major contributory sources of fecal contamination using stanol compounds during flood events. E. coli pulses ranged from 4.7 × 104 to 3.2 × 106 most probable number (MPN) 100 mL-1, with particle-attached E. coli ranging from 83 to 100%. Major contributory feces sources were chickens and humans (about 66 and 29%, respectively), with the highest percentage switching from the human pole to the chicken pole during flood events. Concentrations indicate a severe fecal contamination of surface water during flood events and suggest that villages may be considered as major hotspots of fecal contamination pulses into the river network and thus as point sources in hydrological models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie Boithias
- GET, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, IRD, UPS, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Emilie Jardé
- Université de Rennes, CNRS, Géosciences Rennes, UMR 6118, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - Keooudone Latsachack
- IRD, Department of Agricultural Land Management (DALaM), P.O. Box 4199, Ban Nongviengkham, Xaythany District, Vientiane, Lao PDR
| | - Chanthanousone Thammahacksa
- IRD, Department of Agricultural Land Management (DALaM), P.O. Box 4199, Ban Nongviengkham, Xaythany District, Vientiane, Lao PDR
| | - Norbert Silvera
- IRD, Department of Agricultural Land Management (DALaM), P.O. Box 4199, Ban Nongviengkham, Xaythany District, Vientiane, Lao PDR
| | - Bounsamay Soulileuth
- IRD, Department of Agricultural Land Management (DALaM), P.O. Box 4199, Ban Nongviengkham, Xaythany District, Vientiane, Lao PDR
| | - Mose Xayyalart
- IRD, Department of Agricultural Land Management (DALaM), P.O. Box 4199, Ban Nongviengkham, Xaythany District, Vientiane, Lao PDR
| | - Marion Viguier
- IRD, Department of Agricultural Land Management (DALaM), P.O. Box 4199, Ban Nongviengkham, Xaythany District, Vientiane, Lao PDR
| | - Alain Pierret
- GET, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, IRD, UPS, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Emma Rochelle-Newall
- Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences of Paris (iEES-Paris), Sorbonne Université, Université Paris Est Créteil, IRD, CNRS, INRAE, 4 place Jussieu, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Olivier Ribolzi
- GET, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, IRD, UPS, 31400 Toulouse, France
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6
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Wang C, Yin X, Xu X, Wang D, Liu L, Zhang X, Yang C, Zhang X, Zhang T. Metagenomic absolute quantification of antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factor genes-carrying bacterial genomes in anaerobic digesters. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 253:121258. [PMID: 38359594 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121258] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Sewage treatment works have been considered as hotspots for the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Anaerobic digestion (AD) has emerged as a promising approach for controlling the spread of ARGs while destroying biomass in sludge. Evaluating the impact of AD on ARG removal relies on the absolute quantification of ARGs. In this study, we quantified the ARG concentrations in both full-scale and lab-scale AD systems using a cellular spike-ins based absolute quantification approach. Results demonstrated that AD effectively removed 68 ± 18 %, 55 ± 12 %, and 57 ± 19 % of total ARGs in semi-continuous AD digesters, with solid retention times of 15, 20, and 25 days, respectively. The removal efficiency of total ARGs increased as the AD process progressed in the batch digesters over 40 days. A significant negative correlation was observed between digestion time and the concentrations of certain ARG types, such as beta-lactam, sulfonamide, and tetracycline. However, certain potential pathogenic antibiotic resistant bacteria (PARB) and multi-resistant high-risk ARGs-carrying populations robustly persisted throughout the AD process, regardless of the operating conditions. This study highlighted the influence of the AD process and its operating parameters on ARG removal, and revealed the broad spectrum and persistence of PARB in AD systems. These findings provided critical insights for the management of microbial hazards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxiao Wang
- Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, Centre for Environmental Engineering Research, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiaole Yin
- Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, Centre for Environmental Engineering Research, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiaoqing Xu
- Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, Centre for Environmental Engineering Research, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Dou Wang
- Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, Centre for Environmental Engineering Research, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lei Liu
- Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, Centre for Environmental Engineering Research, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xuanwei Zhang
- Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, Centre for Environmental Engineering Research, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chao Yang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology for Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Xiangru Zhang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, Centre for Environmental Engineering Research, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau SAR, China.
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7
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Vidal B, Kinnunen J, Hedström A, Heiderscheidt E, Rossi P, Herrmann I. Treatment efficiency of package plants for on-site wastewater treatment in cold climates. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 342:118214. [PMID: 37311345 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Package plants (PP) are implemented around the world to provide on-site sanitation in areas not connected to a sewage network. The efficiency of PP has not been comprehensively studied at full scale, and the limited number of available studies have shown that their performance varies greatly. Their performance under cold climate conditions and the occurrence of micropollutants in PP effluents have not been sufficiently explored. PP are exposed to environmental factors such as low temperature, especially in cold regions with low winter temperatures and deep frost penetration, that can adversely influence the biochemical processes. The aim of this study was to investigate the treatment efficiency and possible effects of cold temperatures on PP performance, with focus on traditional contaminants (organics, solids, nutrients and indicator bacteria) and an additional assessment of micropollutants on two PP. Eleven PP hosting different treatment processes were monitored. Removal of biological oxygen demand (BOD) was high in all plants (>91%). Six out of the 11 PP provided good phosphorus removal (>71%). Small degrees of nitrification were observed in almost all the facilities, despite the low temperatures, while denitrification was only observed in two plants which achieved the highest nitrification rates (>51%) and had sludge recirculation. No strong correlation between wastewater temperature and BOD, nutrients and indicator bacteria concentration in the effluents was found. The high data variability and the effects of other process parameters as well as snow-melt water infiltration are suggested as possible reasons for the lack of correlation. However, weak negative relations between effluent concentrations and wastewater temperatures were detected in specific plants, indicating that temperature does have effects. When managed adequately, package plants can provide high BOD and phosphorus removal, but nitrogen and bacteria removal remain challenging, especially at low temperatures. Pharmaceutical compounds were detected in the effluents at concentrations within or above ranges reported for large treatment plants while phthalate ester concentrations were below commonly reported effluent concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda Vidal
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, SE 971 87, Sweden.
| | - Juho Kinnunen
- Water, Energy and Environmental Engineering Research Facility, Faculty of Technology, 90014, University of Oulu, Finland
| | - Annelie Hedström
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, SE 971 87, Sweden
| | - Elisangela Heiderscheidt
- Water, Energy and Environmental Engineering Research Facility, Faculty of Technology, 90014, University of Oulu, Finland
| | - Pekka Rossi
- Water, Energy and Environmental Engineering Research Facility, Faculty of Technology, 90014, University of Oulu, Finland
| | - Inga Herrmann
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, SE 971 87, Sweden
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8
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Marutescu LG, Popa M, Gheorghe-Barbu I, Barbu IC, Rodríguez-Molina D, Berglund F, Blaak H, Flach CF, Kemper MA, Spießberger B, Wengenroth L, Larsson DGJ, Nowak D, Radon K, de Roda Husman AM, Wieser A, Schmitt H, Pircalabioru Gradisteanu G, Vrancianu CO, Chifiriuc MC. Wastewater treatment plants, an "escape gate" for ESCAPE pathogens. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1193907. [PMID: 37293232 PMCID: PMC10244645 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1193907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotics are an essential tool of modern medicine, contributing to significantly decreasing mortality and morbidity rates from infectious diseases. However, persistent misuse of these drugs has accelerated the evolution of antibiotic resistance, negatively impacting clinical practice. The environment contributes to both the evolution and transmission of resistance. From all anthropically polluted aquatic environments, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are probably the main reservoirs of resistant pathogens. They should be regarded as critical control points for preventing or reducing the release of antibiotics, antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB), and antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) into the natural environment. This review focuses on the fate of the pathogens Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium difficile, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacteriaceae spp. (ESCAPE) in WWTPs. All ESCAPE pathogen species, including high-risk clones and resistance determinants to last-resort antibiotics such as carbapenems, colistin, and multi-drug resistance platforms, were detected in wastewater. The whole genome sequencing studies demonstrate the clonal relationships and dissemination of Gram-negative ESCAPE species into the wastewater via hospital effluents and the enrichment of virulence and resistance determinants of S. aureus and enterococci in WWTPs. Therefore, the efficiency of different wastewater treatment processes regarding the removal of clinically relevant ARB species and ARGs, as well as the influence of water quality factors on their performance, should be explored and monitored, along with the development of more effective treatments and appropriate indicators (ESCAPE bacteria and/or ARGs). This knowledge will allow the development of quality standards for point sources and effluents to consolidate the WWTP barrier role against the environmental and public health AR threats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luminita Gabriela Marutescu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
- Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences Section, Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Marcela Popa
- Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences Section, Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Irina Gheorghe-Barbu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
- Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences Section, Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ilda Czobor Barbu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
- Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences Section, Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Daloha Rodríguez-Molina
- Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry, and Epidemiology – IBE, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Pettenkofer School of Public Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Fanny Berglund
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Centre for Antibiotic Resistance Research in Gothenburg (CARe), University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Hetty Blaak
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Carl-Fredrik Flach
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Centre for Antibiotic Resistance Research in Gothenburg (CARe), University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Merel Aurora Kemper
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Beate Spießberger
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, LMU University Hospital Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Laura Wengenroth
- Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - D. G. Joakim Larsson
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Centre for Antibiotic Resistance Research in Gothenburg (CARe), University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Dennis Nowak
- Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center Munich (CPC-M), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany
| | - Katja Radon
- Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ana Maria de Roda Husman
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Andreas Wieser
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, LMU University Hospital Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Heike Schmitt
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Gratiela Pircalabioru Gradisteanu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
- Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences Section, Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
- Romanian Academy of Sciences, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Corneliu Ovidiu Vrancianu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mariana Carmen Chifiriuc
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
- Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences Section, Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
- The Romanian Academy, Bucharest, Romania
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9
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Niebaum G, Berlekamp J, Schmitt H, Lämmchen V, Klasmeier J. Geo-referenced simulations of E. coli in a sub-catchment of the Vecht River using a probabilistic approach. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 868:161627. [PMID: 36649765 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161627] [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: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The proportion of wild swimmers at non-official bathing sites has increased during the Covid-19 pandemic. Bathing water quality at designated sites is monitored through analysis of the concentration of fecal indicator bacteria such as E. coli. However, non-official sites are generally not monitored. In a previous work, steady state modelling of E. coli was achieved at catchment scale, enabling a comparison of expected concentrations along an entire catchment for longtime average. However, E. coli concentrations can vary over several orders of magnitude at the same monitoring site throughout the year. To capture the temporal variability of E. coli concentrations on the catchment scale, we extended the existing deterministic E. coli sub-module of the GREAT-ER (Geo-referenced Exposure Assessment tool for European Rivers) model for probabilistic Monte-Carlo simulations. Here, selected model parameters are represented by probability distributions instead of fixed values. Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) emissions and diffuse emissions were parameterized using selected data from a previous monitoring campaign (calibration data set) and in-stream processes were modeled using literature data. Comparison of simulation results with monitoring data (evaluation data set) indicates that predicted E. coli concentrations well-represent median measured concentrations, although the range of predicted concentrations is slightly larger than the observed concentration variability. The parameters with the largest influence on the range of predicted concentrations are flow rate and E. coli removal efficiency in WWTPs. A comparison of predicted 90th percentiles with the threshold for sufficient bathing water quality (according to the EU Bathing Water Directive) indicates that year-round swimming at sites influenced by WWTP effluents is advisable almost nowhere in the study area. A refinement of the model can be achieved if quantitative relationships between the WWTP removal efficiency and both, the treatment technologies as well as the operating parameters are further established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunnar Niebaum
- Institute of Environmental Systems Research, Osnabrück University, Barbarastraße 12, D-49076 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Jürgen Berlekamp
- Institute of Environmental Systems Research, Osnabrück University, Barbarastraße 12, D-49076 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Heike Schmitt
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911, MA, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands
| | - Volker Lämmchen
- Institute of Environmental Systems Research, Osnabrück University, Barbarastraße 12, D-49076 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Jörg Klasmeier
- Institute of Environmental Systems Research, Osnabrück University, Barbarastraße 12, D-49076 Osnabrück, Germany.
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10
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Raza S, Ghasali E, Orooji Y, Lin H, Karaman C, Dragoi EN, Erk N. Two dimensional (2D) materials and biomaterials for water desalination; structure, properties, and recent advances. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 219:114998. [PMID: 36481367 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND An efficient solution to the global freshwater dilemma is desalination. MXene, Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS2), Graphene Oxide, Hexagonal Boron Nitride, and Phosphorene are just a few examples of two-dimensional (2D) materials that have shown considerable promise in the development of 2D materials for water desalination. However, other promising materials for desalinating water are biomaterials. The benefits of bio-materials are their wide distribution, lack of toxicity, and superior capacity for water desalination. METHODS For the rational use of water and the advancement of sustainable development, it is of the utmost importance to research 2D-dimensional materials and biomaterials that are effective for water desalination. The scientific community has concentrated on wastewater remediation using bio-derived materials, such as nanocellulose, chitosan, bio-char, bark, and activated charcoal generated from plant sources, among the various endeavors to enhance access to clean water. Moreover, the 2D-materials and biomaterials may have ushered in a new age in the production of desalination materials and created a promising future. RESULTS The present review article focuses on and reviews the progress of 2D materials and biomaterials for water desalination. Their properties, surface, and structure, combined with water desalination applications, are highlighted. Further, the practicability and potential future directions of 2D materials and biomaterials are proposed. Thus, the current work provides information and discernments for developing novel 2D materials and biomaterials for wastewater desalination. Moreover, it aims to promote the contribution and advancement of materials for water desalination, fabrication, and industrial production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saleem Raza
- College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004, Zhejiang, PR China; College of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Ehsan Ghasali
- College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004, Zhejiang, PR China; College of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Yasin Orooji
- College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004, Zhejiang, PR China; College of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004, Zhejiang, PR China.
| | - Hongjun Lin
- College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004, Zhejiang, PR China; College of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Ceren Karaman
- Departmen of Electricity and Energy, Akdeniz University, Antalya, 07070, Turkey; School of Engineering, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon.
| | - Elena Niculina Dragoi
- "Cristofor Simionescu" Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection, "Gheorghe Asachi" Technical University, Bld. D. Mangeron No 73, 700050, Iasi, Romania.
| | - Nevin Erk
- Ankara University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Analytical Chemistry, 06560, Ankara, Turkey
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11
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Kelmer GAR, Ramos ER, Dias EHO. Coliphages as viral indicators in municipal wastewater: A comparison between the ISO and the USEPA methods based on a systematic literature review. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 230:119579. [PMID: 36640612 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119579] [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: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The use of traditional faecal indicator bacteria as surrogate organisms for pathogenic viruses in domestic wastewater has been noted as a problematic as concentrations and removal rates of bacteria and viruses do not seem to correlate. In this sense, bacteriophages (phages) emerge as potential viral indicators, as they are commonly found in wastewater in high levels, and can be quantified using simple, fast, low-cost methods. Somatic and F-specific coliphages comprise groups of phages commonly used as indicators of water quality. There are two internationally recognised methods to detect and enumerate coliphages in water samples, the International Standardization Organization (ISO) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) methods. Both methods are based on the lysis of specific bacterial host strains infected by phages. Within this context, this systematic literature review aimed at gathering concentrations in raw and treated domestic wastewater (secondary, biological treatment systems and post-treatment systems), and removal efficiencies of somatic and F-specific coliphages obtained by ISO and USEPA methods, and then compare both methods. A total of 33 research papers were considered in this study. Results showed that the ISO method is more commonly applied than the USEPA method. Some discrepancies in terms of concentrations and removal efficiencies were observed between both methods. Higher removal rates were observed for both somatic and F-specific coliphages in activated sludge systems when using the USEPA method compared to the ISO method; in other secondary (biological) treatment systems, this was observed only for F-specific coliphages. The use of different standardised methods available might lead to difficulties in obtaining and comparing phage data in different conditions and locations. Future research comparing both ISO and USEPA methods as well as viral and bacterial pathogens and indicators in WWTP is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisele A R Kelmer
- Postgraduate Programme in Civil Engineering (PEC), Faculty of Engineering, Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF). Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, s/n, Campus UFJF. São Pedro, Juiz de Fora - MG, CEP 36036-900, Brazil
| | - Elloís R Ramos
- Environmental and Sanitary Engineering Course, Faculty of Engineering, Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF). Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, s/n, Campus UFJF. São Pedro, Juiz de Fora - MG, CEP 36036-900, Brazil
| | - Edgard H O Dias
- Postgraduate Programme in Civil Engineering (PEC), Faculty of Engineering, Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF). Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, s/n, Campus UFJF. São Pedro, Juiz de Fora - MG, CEP 36036-900, Brazil; Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (ESA), Faculty of Engineering, Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF). Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, s/n, Campus UFJF. São Pedro, Juiz de Fora - MG, CEP 36036-900, Brazil.
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12
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van Heijnsbergen E, Niebaum G, Lämmchen V, Borneman A, Hernández Leal L, Klasmeier J, Schmitt H. (Antibiotic-Resistant) E. coli in the Dutch-German Vecht Catchment─Monitoring and Modeling. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:15064-15073. [PMID: 35657069 PMCID: PMC9631988 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c00218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Fecally contaminated waters can be a source for human infections. We investigated the occurrence of fecal indicator bacteria (E. coli) and antibiotic-resistant E. coli, namely, extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli (ESBL-EC) and carbapenemase-producing E. coli (CP-EC) in the Dutch-German transboundary catchment of the Vecht River. Over the course of one year, bacterial concentrations were monitored in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) influents and effluents and in surface waters with and without WWTP influence. Subsequently, the GREAT-ER model was adopted for the prediction of (antibiotic-resistant) E. coli concentrations. The model was parametrized and evaluated for two distinct scenarios (average flow scenario, dry summer scenario). Statistical analysis of WWTP monitoring data revealed a significantly higher (factor 2) proportion of ESBL-EC among E. coli in German compared to Dutch WWTPs. CP-EC were present in 43% of influent samples. The modeling approach yielded spatially accurate descriptions of microbial concentrations for the average flow scenario. Predicted E. coli concentrations exceed the threshold value of the Bathing Water Directive for a good bathing water quality at less than 10% of potential swimming sites in both scenarios. During a single swimming event up to 61 CFU of ESBL-EC and less than 1 CFU of CP-EC could be taken up by ingestion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eri van Heijnsbergen
- Wetsus,
European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911 MA Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
| | - Gunnar Niebaum
- Institute
of Environmental Systems Research, Osnabrück
University, Barbarastraße 12, D-49076, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Volker Lämmchen
- Institute
of Environmental Systems Research, Osnabrück
University, Barbarastraße 12, D-49076, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Alicia Borneman
- Wetsus,
European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911 MA Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
| | - Lucia Hernández Leal
- Wetsus,
European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911 MA Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
| | - Jörg Klasmeier
- Institute
of Environmental Systems Research, Osnabrück
University, Barbarastraße 12, D-49076, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Heike Schmitt
- Wetsus,
European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911 MA Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
- Institute
for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands
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13
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Amoah ID, Kumari S, Bux F. A probabilistic assessment of microbial infection risks due to occupational exposure to wastewater in a conventional activated sludge wastewater treatment plant. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 843:156849. [PMID: 35728649 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to pathogens during wastewater treatment could result in significant health risks. In this paper, a probabilistic approach for assessing the risks of microbial infection for workers in an activated sludge wastewater treatment plant is presented. A number of exposure routes were modelled, including hand-to-mouth and droplet ingestion of untreated wastewater, droplet ingestion and inhalation of aerosols after secondary treatment, and ingestion of sludge during drying. Almost all workers exposed to untreated wastewater could be infected with the three selected potential pathogens of pathogenic E. coli, Norovirus and Cryptosporidium spp. Hand-to-mouth ingestion is the single most significant route of exposure at the head of works. There is also a risk of infections resulting from ingestion of droplets or inhalation of aerosols at the aeration tanks or contaminated hands at the clarifiers during secondary wastewater treatment. For sludge, the risks of infection with Norovirus was found to be the highest due to accidental ingestion (median risks of 2.2 × 10-2(±3.3 × 10-3)). Regardless of the point and route of exposure, Norovirus and Cryptosporidium spp. presented the highest risks. The study finds that occupational exposure to wastewater at wastewater treatment plants can result in significant viral and protozoan infections. This risk assessment framework can be used to establish and measure the success of risk reduction measures in wastewater treatment plants. These measures could include the use of personal protective equipment and adherence to strict personal hygiene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac Dennis Amoah
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Sheena Kumari
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa.
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14
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Schupp DA, Burdsall AC, Silva RG, Heckman JL, Krishnan ER, Szabo JG, Magnuson M. Persistence of surrogates for high consequence viral and bacterial pathogens in a pilot-scale activated sludge treatment system. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0275482. [PMID: 36206225 PMCID: PMC9543761 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The persistence of high consequence public health pathogens in a wastewater treatment system can significantly impact worker safety, as well as the public and downstream water bodies, particularly if the system is forced to shut down the treatment processes. This study utilizes organism viability to compare the persistence of three pathogen surrogates in wastewater using a pilot-scale activated sludge treatment (AST) system, operated to mimic treatment processes of large-scale plants. Bacillus globigii spores, surrogate for Bacillus anthracis, persisted in the AST system for at least a 50-day observation period leading to a possible steady condition far beyond the solid retention time for sludge particles. MS2 bacteriophage, surrogate for Poliovirus and other non-enveloped enteric viruses, was observed for up to 35 days after introduction, which largely and expectedly correlated to the measured solid retention time. Phi-6 bacteriophage, a surrogate for Ebola virus and other enveloped viruses, was detected for no more than 4 days after introduction, even though the AST system was operated to provide three times slower solids removal than for the other surrogates. This suggests Phi-6 is subject to inactivation under AST conditions rather than physical removal. These results may suggest similar persistence for the surrogated pathogens, leading to appropriate consequence management actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald A. Schupp
- APTIM Federal Services, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Adam C. Burdsall
- Homeland Security and Materials Management Division, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | | | - John Lee Heckman
- APTIM Federal Services, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | | | - Jeffrey G. Szabo
- Homeland Security and Materials Management Division, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Matthew Magnuson
- Homeland Security and Materials Management Division, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
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15
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Taylor K, Baron KS, Gersberg RM. Effect of secondary treatment at the South Bay Ocean Outfall (SBOO) on microbial ocean water quality near the US-Mexico border. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 183:114098. [PMID: 36087483 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In this study, density plume visualizations and statistical comparisons were made of enterococci bacteria (the main marine recreational microbial water quality indicator) densities, both before and after the upgrade of the discharge from the South Bay Ocean Outfall (SBOO) to secondary treatment level, so that the effect of this upgrade on ocean microbial water quality could be assessed. During the dry weather (bathing) season, reduction in enterococci densities was rather limited with only 2 shore stations and one kelp station showing significant reductions, and none showing increased compliance frequency. During the wet weather season, although the signature of land-based sources of bacterial pollution were evident, a majority of both shore (7 of the 11 stations) and kelp (4 of the 7 stations) stations showed statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05) reductions enterococci densities pointing to the role of the upgrade to secondary treatment in improving microbial water quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katelyn Taylor
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, United States of America
| | - Kurtis S Baron
- Atkins, SNC-Lavalin Group, San Diego, CA 92130, United States of America
| | - Richard M Gersberg
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, United States of America.
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16
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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: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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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17
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Jebri S, Yahya M, Rahmani F, Amri I, Hamdi M, Hmaied F. Inactivation of biohazards in healthcare wastewater by E-Beam and Gamma irradiation: a comparative study. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:75575-75586. [PMID: 35657553 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-21159-0] [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: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The main objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of irradiation by Gamma rays and Electron Beam (E-Beam) on naturally occurring microorganisms shed in healthcare wastewater issued from multi-specialties hospital. We examined the susceptibility of naturally occurring total indicator bacteriophages towards Gamma rays and E-Beam irradiation to evaluate their appropriateness as viral indicators for healthcare wastewater quality control. Results showed that healthcare wastewater is a rich matrix containing bacteriophages surrogates of pathogenic waterborne viruses (4.5 Log10 PFU/100 mL for SOMCPH and 2.3 Log10 PFU/100 mL for FRNAPH), antibiotic resistant bacteria (Mean concentrations from 2.3 to 5.5 Log10 CFU/100 mL), molds and yeasts (2.7 Log10 CFU/100 mL), and spores of Clostridium perfringens (Mean concentration of 3.3 Log10 CFU/100 mL). After E-Beam irradiation, naturally occurring bacteria in healthcare wastewater showed lower resistance patterns (D10 values ranging between 0.21 ± 0.005 and 0.59 ± 0.005) compared to those obtained after Gamma irradiation (D10 values ranging between 0.25 ± 0.015 and 0.70 ± 0.0001). Spores of Clostridium perfringens were the most resistant assayed microbes either after E-Beam (D10 values of 3.74 ± 0.005) or Gamma irradiation (D10 values of 4.77 ± 0.025) of collected samples. According to inactivation patterns, a dose of 10 kGy was sufficient for a complete inactivation of spores. Bacteriophages isolated from healthcare wastewater showed the same resistance patterns as those previously obtained in urban treated sewage and were inactivated using higher doses than waterborne bacteria (D10 values of SOMCPH 1.46 ± 0.057; D10 values of FRNAPH 1.03 ± 0.057). Their resistance to irradiation treatment in such complex matrix corroborates their use to survey the viral quality of healthcare wastewater before their discharge in the urban sanitation network. D10 value analysis showed that bacteria and bacteriophages inactivation by E-Beam irradiation required lower doses than those required for their inactivation using Gamma rays. According to inactivation patterns, a dose of 7 kGy was sufficient for total inactivation of both pathogenic bacteria and viruses. Thus, E-Beam irradiation seems to be an efficient physical pre-treatment process for healthcare wastewater treatment prior to its discharge in urban sanitation system to ensure compliance with environmental standards and protect public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sihem Jebri
- Laboratoire de Biotechnologies Et Techniques Nucléaires, CNSTN, Technopôle de Sidi Thabet, 2020, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia.
| | - Mariem Yahya
- Laboratoire de Biotechnologies Et Techniques Nucléaires, CNSTN, Technopôle de Sidi Thabet, 2020, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Faten Rahmani
- Laboratoire de Biotechnologies Et Techniques Nucléaires, CNSTN, Technopôle de Sidi Thabet, 2020, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Islem Amri
- Laboratoire de Biotechnologies Et Techniques Nucléaires, CNSTN, Technopôle de Sidi Thabet, 2020, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Moktar Hamdi
- Laboratoire Ecologie Et Technologie Microbienne, Institut National Des Sciences Appliquées de Tunis, Tunis Carthage University, BP 676, 1080, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Fatma Hmaied
- Laboratoire de Biotechnologies Et Techniques Nucléaires, CNSTN, Technopôle de Sidi Thabet, 2020, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
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Rajabi A, Farajzadeh D, Dehghanzadeh R, Aslani H, Mousavi S, Mosaferi M, Dehghani MH, Asghari FB. Characterization of antibiotic resistance genes and bacteria in a municipal water resource recovery facility. WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH : A RESEARCH PUBLICATION OF THE WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION 2022; 94:e10750. [PMID: 35765862 DOI: 10.1002/wer.10750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Municipal water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) are important sources of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes (ARB and ARGs). In this study, antibiotic-resistant total heterotrophic bacteria (THBR ) counts (CFU/ml) cultivated from influent, effluent of activated sludge process, and outflow of disinfection unit of an urban WRRF were investigated for the presence of 16, 32, 64, and 128 μg/ml of nine antibiotics. The isolates of Pseudomonas spp., Acinetobacter spp., and Escherichia coli obtained from effluent of activated sludge process were subjected for molecular identification by detecting the 16S rRNA gene sequences. Additionally, using the polymerase chain reaction method (PCR), the isolates were investigated for the presence of blaSHV , blaTEM , blaCTX-M , blaVIM , sul1, and qnrS genes. According to the results, the abundance of THBR counts was not significantly reduced by the biological treatment except for cefixime and sulfamethoxazole; it also increased for some antibiotics after disinfection unit. The average removal efficiency of THBR resistant to ciprofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole, and ceftazidime were 7.9 ± 1.7%, 41.8 ± 2.1%, and 14.4 ± 6.2%, respectively. Also, all the tested isolates were resistant to at least four antibiotics. For all antibiotics, the resistance ratio (THBR /THB) significantly increased in the effluent and after chlorination unit. Among 12 resistant isolates, blaTEM and sul1 genes were the most frequently detected ones involved in 92% and 83% of the isolates, respectively. Both blaTEM and sul1 genes were found in 100% of E. coli, and 83% and 67% of Pseudomonas spp. isolates, respectively. Further efforts are necessary to limit the transmission of ARB and ARGs from WRRFs into the environment and prevent human health threats. PRACTITIONER POINTS: The ratio of resistance significantly increased after biological treatment. Up to 40% of heterotrophic bacteria in the effluent was antibiotic resistant. blaTEM and sul1 genes were more prevalent (92%) in all isolates of bacteria. Both blaTEM and sul1 genes were found in 100% of E. coli isolates. Pseudomonas spp. holds blaTEM and sul1 genes in 83% and 67% of isolates, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akbar Rajabi
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Davoud Farajzadeh
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Reza Dehghanzadeh
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Health and Environment Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hassan Aslani
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Health and Environment Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Saeid Mousavi
- Department of Statistics and Epidemiology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mosaferi
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Health and Environment Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hadi Dehghani
- Institute for Environmental Research, Center for Solid Waste Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farzaneh Baghal Asghari
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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19
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Chen D, Li H, Xue X, Zhang L, Hou Y, Chen H, Zhang Y, Song Y, Zhao S, Guo J. Enhanced simultaneous partial nitrification and denitrification performance of aerobic granular sludge via tapered aeration in sequencing batch reactor for treating low strength and low COD/TN ratio municipal wastewater. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 209:112743. [PMID: 35065929 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.112743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The aerobic granular sludge simultaneous partial nitrification, denitrification and phosphorus removal (AGS-SPNDPR) process was carried out via tapered aeration in sequencing batch reactor (SBR) for treating low strength and low COD/TN ratio municipal wastewater. The results showed that aerobic granular sludge was successfully cultivated with good sedimentation performance when treating the municipal wastewater. Meanwhile, the median granule size increased to 270 (R1) and 257 (R2) μm on day 80. The excellent removal performance of COD (92%) and NH4+-N (95%) were achieved under different aeration modes, while the higher TN removal efficiency (76%) was achieved by tapered aeration. The accumulation of NO2--N in R2 indicated that the tapered aeration was beneficial to achieve simultaneously partial nitrification and denitrification. Meanwhile, the high-efficiency phosphorus (95%) removal was realized via additional carbon source, and SPNDPR process was formed under tapered aeration. The bacterial community analysis indicated denitrifying glycogen-accumulating organisms (DGAOs) Candidatus_Competibacter and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) Nitrosomonas were more effectively enriched via tapered aeration, while phosphorus-accumulating organisms (PAOs) Candidatus_Accumulibacter were effectively enriched under additional organic carbon. AOB, denitrifying bacteria and PAOs were simultaneously enriched by tapered aeration and additional carbon source, which was beneficial to nutrients removal. This study might be conducive to the application of AGS-SPNDPR system for treating low strength and low COD/TN ratio municipal wastewater under tapered aeration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denghui Chen
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science and Technology, School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Jinjing Road #26, Tianjin, 300384, PR China; Beijing Enterprises Water Group (China) Investment Limited, BEWG Building, Poly International Plaza T3, Zone 7, Wangjingdongyuan, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100102, PR China
| | - Haibo Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science and Technology, School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Jinjing Road #26, Tianjin, 300384, PR China.
| | - Xiaofei Xue
- Beijing Enterprises Water Group (China) Investment Limited, BEWG Building, Poly International Plaza T3, Zone 7, Wangjingdongyuan, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100102, PR China
| | - Lili Zhang
- Beijing Enterprises Water Group (China) Investment Limited, BEWG Building, Poly International Plaza T3, Zone 7, Wangjingdongyuan, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100102, PR China.
| | - Yanan Hou
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science and Technology, School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Jinjing Road #26, Tianjin, 300384, PR China
| | - Han Chen
- Beijing Enterprises Water Group (China) Investment Limited, BEWG Building, Poly International Plaza T3, Zone 7, Wangjingdongyuan, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100102, PR China
| | - Yousuo Zhang
- CCCC-TDC Harbour Construction Engineering Co., Ltd., Huanggu Dongheng Street #8, Tianjin, 300450, China
| | - Yunda Song
- Beijing Enterprises Water Group (China) Investment Limited, BEWG Building, Poly International Plaza T3, Zone 7, Wangjingdongyuan, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100102, PR China
| | - Shiqi Zhao
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science and Technology, School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Jinjing Road #26, Tianjin, 300384, PR China
| | - Jianbo Guo
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science and Technology, School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Jinjing Road #26, Tianjin, 300384, PR China
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20
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Dong Y, Chen F, Li L, Yin Z, Zhang X. Enhanced aerobic granular sludge formation by applying Phanerochaete chrysosporium pellets as induced nucleus. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 2022; 45:815-828. [PMID: 35318496 DOI: 10.1007/s00449-022-02698-9] [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: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The long start-up period is a major challenging issue for the widespread application of aerobic granular sludge (AGS). In this study, a novel rapid start-up strategy was developed by inoculating Phanerochaete chrysosporium (P. chrysosporium) pellets as the induced nucleus in a sequencing batch airlift reactor (SBAR) to enhance activated sludge granulation. The results demonstrated that P. chrysosporium pellets could effectively shorten the aerobic granulation time from 32 to 20 days. The AGS promoted by P. chrysosporium pellets had a larger average diameter (2.60-2.74 mm) than that without P. chrysosporium pellets (1.78-1.88 mm) and had better biomass retention capacity and sedimentation properties; its mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) and sludge volume index (SVI30) reached approximately 5.2 g/L and 45 mL/g, respectively. The addition of P. chrysosporium pellets promoted the secretion of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), especially protein (PN). The removal efficiencies of chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) in P. chrysosporium pellets reactor were 98.91%, 89.17%, 64.73%, and 94.42%, respectively, which were higher than those in the reactor without P. chrysosporium pellets (88.73%, 82.09%, 55.75%, and 88.92%). High throughput sequencing analysis indicated that several functional genera that were responsible for the formation of aerobic granules and the removal of pollutants, such as Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, Janthinobacterium, and Enterobacter, were found to be predominant in the mature sludge granules promoted by P. chrysosporium pellets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihua Dong
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Eco-Restoration of Regional Contaminated Environment, Shenyang University, Shenyang, 110044, Liaoning, China
| | - Feng Chen
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Eco-Restoration of Regional Contaminated Environment, Shenyang University, Shenyang, 110044, Liaoning, China
| | - Liang Li
- School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, Liaoning, China.
| | - Zhiwen Yin
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Eco-Restoration of Regional Contaminated Environment, Shenyang University, Shenyang, 110044, Liaoning, China
| | - Xueying Zhang
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Eco-Restoration of Regional Contaminated Environment, Shenyang University, Shenyang, 110044, Liaoning, China
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21
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Yang Y, Che Y, Liu L, Wang C, Yin X, Deng Y, Yang C, Zhang T. Rapid absolute quantification of pathogens and ARGs by nanopore sequencing. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 809:152190. [PMID: 34890655 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Compositional nature of relative abundance data in the current standard microbiome studies limits microbial dynamics interpretations and cross-sample comparisons. Here, we demonstrate the first rapid (1-h sequencing) method coupling Nanopore metagenomic sequencing with cellular spike-in to facilitate the absolute quantification and removal assessment of pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Nanopore sequencing-based quantification results for both simple mock community and complex real environmental samples showed a high consistency with those from the widely-used Illumina and culture-based approaches. Implementing such method, we quantified 46 predominant putative pathogenic species, and 361 ARGs in three WWTP sample sets. Though high log removals of dominant pathogens (2.23 logs) and ARGs (1.98 logs) were achieved, complete removal of all pathogens and ARGs were not achieved. Noticeably, Mycobacterium spp., Clostridium_P perfringens, and Borrelia hermsii exhibited low removal, and 13 ARGs even increased in absolute abundance after the treatment. Our proposed approach manifested its profound ability in providing absolute quantitation information guiding wastewater-based epidemiological surveillance and quantitative risk assessment facilitating microbial hazards management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Yang
- Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, Centre for Environmental Engineering Research, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - You Che
- Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, Centre for Environmental Engineering Research, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lei Liu
- Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, Centre for Environmental Engineering Research, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chunxiao Wang
- Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, Centre for Environmental Engineering Research, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiaole Yin
- Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, Centre for Environmental Engineering Research, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yu Deng
- Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, Centre for Environmental Engineering Research, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chao Yang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology for Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, Centre for Environmental Engineering Research, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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22
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Hazra M, Durso LM. Performance Efficiency of Conventional Treatment Plants and Constructed Wetlands towards Reduction of Antibiotic Resistance. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:114. [PMID: 35052991 PMCID: PMC8773441 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11010114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Domestic and industrial wastewater discharges harbor rich bacterial communities, including both pathogenic and commensal organisms that are antibiotic-resistant (AR). AR pathogens pose a potential threat to human and animal health. In wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), bacteria encounter environments suitable for horizontal gene transfer, providing an opportunity for bacterial cells to acquire new antibiotic-resistant genes. With many entry points to environmental components, especially water and soil, WWTPs are considered a critical control point for antibiotic resistance. The primary and secondary units of conventional WWTPs are not designed for the reduction of resistant microbes. Constructed wetlands (CWs) are viable wastewater treatment options with the potential for mitigating AR bacteria, their genes, pathogens, and general pollutants. Encouraging performance for the removal of AR (2-4 logs) has highlighted the applicability of CW on fields. Their low cost of construction, operation and maintenance makes them well suited for applications across the globe, especially in developing and low-income countries. The present review highlights a better understanding of the performance efficiency of conventional treatment plants and CWs for the elimination/reduction of AR from wastewater. They are viable alternatives that can be used for secondary/tertiary treatment or effluent polishing in combination with WWTP or in a decentralized manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moushumi Hazra
- Department of Hydrology, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee 247667, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Lisa M. Durso
- Agroecosystem Management Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA;
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23
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Pallares-Vega R, Macedo G, Brouwer MSM, Hernandez Leal L, van der Maas P, van Loosdrecht MCM, Weissbrodt DG, Heederik D, Mevius D, Schmitt H. Temperature and Nutrient Limitations Decrease Transfer of Conjugative IncP-1 Plasmid pKJK5 to Wild Escherichia coli Strains. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:656250. [PMID: 34349732 PMCID: PMC8326584 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.656250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmid-mediated dissemination of antibiotic resistance among fecal Enterobacteriaceae in natural ecosystems may contribute to the persistence of antibiotic resistance genes in anthropogenically impacted environments. Plasmid transfer frequencies measured under laboratory conditions might lead to overestimation of plasmid transfer potential in natural ecosystems. This study assessed differences in the conjugative transfer of an IncP-1 (pKJK5) plasmid to three natural Escherichia coli strains carrying extended-spectrum beta-lactamases, by filter mating. Matings were performed under optimal laboratory conditions (rich LB medium and 37°C) and environmentally relevant temperatures (25, 15 and 9°C) or nutrient regimes mimicking environmental conditions and limitations (synthetic wastewater and soil extract). Under optimal nutrient conditions and temperature, two recipients yielded high transfer frequencies (5 × 10-1) while the conjugation frequency of the third strain was 1000-fold lower. Decreasing mating temperatures to psychrophilic ranges led to lower transfer frequencies, albeit all three strains conjugated under all the tested temperatures. Low nutritive media caused significant decreases in transconjugants (-3 logs for synthetic wastewater; -6 logs for soil extract), where only one of the strains was able to produce detectable transconjugants. Collectively, this study highlights that despite less-than-optimal conditions, fecal organisms may transfer plasmids in the environment, but the transfer of pKJK5 between microorganisms is limited mainly by low nutrient conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebeca Pallares-Vega
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Leeuwarden, Netherlands
- Department Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Gonçalo Macedo
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Leeuwarden, Netherlands
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Michael S. M. Brouwer
- Department of Bacteriology and Epidemiology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, Netherlands
| | - Lucia Hernandez Leal
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Leeuwarden, Netherlands
| | - Peter van der Maas
- Van Hall Larenstein, University of Applied Sciences, Leeuwarden, Netherlands
| | | | - David G. Weissbrodt
- Department Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Dick Heederik
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Dik Mevius
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Department of Bacteriology and Epidemiology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, Netherlands
| | - Heike Schmitt
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Leeuwarden, Netherlands
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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24
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New Advances in Aerobic Granular Sludge Technology Using Continuous Flow Reactors: Engineering and Microbiological Aspects. WATER 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/w13131792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Aerobic granular sludge (AGS) comprises an aggregation of microbial cells in a tridimensional matrix, which is able to remove carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous as well as other pollutants in a single bioreactor under the same operational conditions. During the past decades, the feasibility of implementing AGS in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) for treating sewage using fundamentally sequential batch reactors (SBRs) has been studied. However, granular sludge technology using SBRs has several disadvantages. For instance, it can present certain drawbacks for the treatment of high flow rates; furthermore, the quantity of retained biomass is limited by volume exchange. Therefore, the development of continuous flow reactors (CFRs) has come to be regarded as a more competitive option. This is why numerous investigations have been undertaken in recent years in search of different designs of CFR systems that would enable the effective treatment of urban and industrial wastewater, keeping the stability of granular biomass. However, despite these efforts, satisfactory results have yet to be achieved. Consequently, it remains necessary to carry out new technical approaches that would provide more effective and efficient AGS-CFR systems. In particular, it is imperative to develop continuous flow granular systems that can both retain granular biomass and efficiently treat wastewater, obviously with low construction, maintenance and exploitation cost. In this review, we collect the most recent information on different technological approaches aimed at establishing AGS-CFR systems, making possible their upscaling to real plant conditions. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of these proposals and suggest future trends in the application of aerobic granular systems. Accordingly, we analyze the most significant technical and biological implications of this innovative technology.
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25
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Barrios-Hernández ML, Bettinelli C, Mora-Cabrera K, Vanegas-Camero MC, Garcia H, van de Vossenberg J, Prats D, Brdjanovic D, van Loosdrecht MCM, Hooijmans CM. Unravelling the removal mechanisms of bacterial and viral surrogates in aerobic granular sludge systems. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 195:116992. [PMID: 33714012 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.116992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The aerobic granular sludge (AGS) process is an effective wastewater treatment technology for organic matter and nutrient removal that has been introduced in the market rapidly. Until now, limited information is available on AGS regarding the removal of bacterial and viral pathogenic organisms present in sewage. This study focussed on determining the relation between reactor operational conditions (plug flow feeding, turbulent aeration and settling) and physical and biological mechanisms on removing two faecal surrogates, Escherichia coli and MS2 bacteriophages. Two AGS laboratory-scale systems were separately fed with influent spiked with 1.0 × 106 CFU/100 mL of E. coli and 1.3 × 108 PFU/100 mL of MS2 bacteriophages and followed during the different operational phases. The reactors contained only granular sludge and no flocculent sludge. Both systems showed reductions in the liquid phase of 0.3 Log10 during anaerobic feeding caused by a dilution factor and attachment of the organisms on the granules. Higher removal efficiencies were achieved during aeration, approximately 1 Log10 for E. coli and 0.6 Log10 for the MS2 bacteriophages caused mainly by predation. The 18S sequencing analysis revealed high operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of free-living protozoa genera Rhogostoma and Telotrochidium concerning the whole eukaryotic community. Attached ciliates propagated after the addition of the E. coli, an active contribution of the genera Epistylis, Vorticella, and Pseudovorticella was found when the reactor reached stability. In contrast, no significant growth of predators occurred when spiking the system with MS2 bacteriophages, indicating a low contribution of protozoa on the phage removal. Settling did not contribute to the removal of the studied bacterial and viral surrogates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Luz Barrios-Hernández
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Water Technology, IHE-Delft Institute for Water Education, P.O. Box 3015, 2601 DA Delft, the Netherlands; Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, the Netherlands; Escuela de Química, Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica, Cartago, 159-7050, Costa Rica.
| | - Carolina Bettinelli
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Water Technology, IHE-Delft Institute for Water Education, P.O. Box 3015, 2601 DA Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Karen Mora-Cabrera
- Institute of the Water and the Environmental Sciences, University of Alicante, 03690, Alicante, Spain
| | - Maria-Clara Vanegas-Camero
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Water Technology, IHE-Delft Institute for Water Education, P.O. Box 3015, 2601 DA Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Hector Garcia
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Water Technology, IHE-Delft Institute for Water Education, P.O. Box 3015, 2601 DA Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Jack van de Vossenberg
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Water Technology, IHE-Delft Institute for Water Education, P.O. Box 3015, 2601 DA Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Daniel Prats
- Institute of the Water and the Environmental Sciences, University of Alicante, 03690, Alicante, Spain
| | - Damir Brdjanovic
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Water Technology, IHE-Delft Institute for Water Education, P.O. Box 3015, 2601 DA Delft, the Netherlands; Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Mark C M van Loosdrecht
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Christine M Hooijmans
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Water Technology, IHE-Delft Institute for Water Education, P.O. Box 3015, 2601 DA Delft, the Netherlands
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26
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Govender R, Amoah ID, Adegoke AA, Singh G, Kumari S, Swalaha FM, Bux F, Stenström TA. Identification, antibiotic resistance, and virulence profiling of Aeromonas and Pseudomonas species from wastewater and surface water. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2021; 193:294. [PMID: 33893564 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-021-09046-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Aquatic environments are hotspots for the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes due to pollution caused mainly by anthropogenic activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of wastewater effluents, informal settlements, hospital, and veterinary clinic discharges on the occurrence, antibiotic resistance profile and virulence signatures of Aeromonas spp. and Pseudomonas spp. isolated from surface water and wastewater. High counts of Aeromonas spp. (2.5 (± 0.8) - 3.3 (± 0.4) log10 CFU mL-1) and Pseudomonas spp. (0.6 (± 1.0) - 1.8 (± 1.0) log10 CFU mL-1) were obtained. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and MALDI-TOF characterization identified four species of Aeromonas and five of Pseudomonas. The isolates displayed resistance to 3 or more antibiotics (71% of Aeromonas and 94% of Pseudomonas). Aeromonas spp. showed significant association with the antibiotic meropenem (χ2 = 3.993, P < 0.05). The virulence gene aer in Aeromonas was found to be positively associated with the antibiotic resistance gene blaOXA (χ2 = 6.657, P < 0.05) and the antibiotic ceftazidime (χ2 = 7.537, P < 0.05). Aeromonas recovered from both wastewater and surface water displayed high resistance to ampicillin and had higher multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) indices close to the hospital. Pseudomonas isolates on the other hand exhibited low resistance to carbapenems but very high resistance to the third-generation cephalosporins and cefixime. The results showed that some of the Pseudomonas spp. and Aeromonas spp. isolates were extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing bacteria. In conclusion, the strong association between virulence genes and antibiotic resistance in the isolates shows the potential health risk to communities through direct and indirect exposure to the water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reshme Govender
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Kwa-Zulu Natal 4001, Durban, South Africa
| | - Isaac Dennis Amoah
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Kwa-Zulu Natal 4001, Durban, South Africa
| | - Anthony Ayodeji Adegoke
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Kwa-Zulu Natal 4001, Durban, South Africa
| | - Gulshan Singh
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Kwa-Zulu Natal 4001, Durban, South Africa
| | - Sheena Kumari
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Kwa-Zulu Natal 4001, Durban, South Africa.
| | - Feroz Mahomed Swalaha
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Kwa-Zulu Natal 4001, Durban, South Africa
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Kwa-Zulu Natal 4001, Durban, South Africa
| | - Thor Axel Stenström
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Kwa-Zulu Natal 4001, Durban, South Africa
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27
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Barrios-Hernández ML, Buenaño-Vargas C, García H, Brdjanovic D, van Loosdrecht MCM, Hooijmans CM. Effect of the co-treatment of synthetic faecal sludge and wastewater in an aerobic granular sludge system. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 741:140480. [PMID: 32886969 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The co-treatment of two synthetic faecal sludges (FS-1 and FS-2) with municipal synthetic wastewater (WW) was evaluated in an aerobic granular sludge (AGS) reactor. After characterisation, FS-1 showed the following concentrations, representative for medium-strength FS: 12,180 mg TSS L-1, 24,300 mg total COD L-1, 93.8 mg PO3-P L-1, and 325 mg NH4-N L-1. The NO3-N concentration was relatively high (300 mg L-1). For FS-2, the main difference with FS-1 was a lower nitrate concentration (18 mg L-1). The recipes were added consecutively, together with the WW, to an AGS reactor. In the case of FS-1, the system was fed with 7.2 kg total COD m-3d-1 and 0.5 kg Nitrogen m-3d-1. Undesired denitrification occurred during feeding and settling resulting in floating sludge and wash-out. In the case of FS-2, the system was fed with 8.0 kg total COD m-3d-1 and 0.3 kg Nitrogen m-3d-1. The lower NO3-N concentration in FS-2 resulted in less floating sludge, a more stabilised granular bed and better effluent concentrations. To enhance the hydrolysis of the slowly biodegradable particulates from the synthetic FS, an anaerobic stand-by period was added and the aeration period was increased. Overall, when compared to a control AGS reactor, a lower COD consumption (from 87 to 35 mg g-1 VSS h-1), P-uptake rates (from 6.0 to 2.0 mg P g VSS-1 h-1) and NH4-N removal (from 2.5 to 1.4 mg NH4-N g VSS-1 h-1) were registered after introducing the synthetic FS. Approximately 40% of the granular bed became flocculent at the end of the study, and a reduction of the granular size accompanied by higher solids accumulation in the reactor was observed. A considerable protozoa Vorticella spp. bloom attached to the granules and the accumulated particles occurred; potentially contributing to the removal of the suspended solids which were part of the FS recipe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Luz Barrios-Hernández
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Water Technology, IHE-Delft Institute for Water Education, P.O. Box 3015, 2601 DA Delft, the Netherlands; Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, the Netherlands; Ingeniería Ambiental, Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica, Cartago 159-7050, Costa Rica.
| | - Claribel Buenaño-Vargas
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Water Technology, IHE-Delft Institute for Water Education, P.O. Box 3015, 2601 DA Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Hector García
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Water Technology, IHE-Delft Institute for Water Education, P.O. Box 3015, 2601 DA Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Damir Brdjanovic
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Water Technology, IHE-Delft Institute for Water Education, P.O. Box 3015, 2601 DA Delft, the Netherlands; Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Mark C M van Loosdrecht
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Christine M Hooijmans
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Water Technology, IHE-Delft Institute for Water Education, P.O. Box 3015, 2601 DA Delft, the Netherlands
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