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Ahmed W, Korajkic A, Gabrewold M, Payyappat S, Cassidy M, Harrison N, Besley C. Assessing the nucleic acid decay of human wastewater markers and enteric viruses in estuarine waters in Sydney, Australia. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 926:171389. [PMID: 38432386 PMCID: PMC11070875 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171389] [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: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
This research investigated the in-situ decay rates of four human wastewater-associated markers (Bacteroides HF183 (HF183), Lachnospiraceae Lachno3 (Lachno3), cross-assembling phage (crAssphage), pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) and three enteric viruses (human adenovirus 40/41 (HAdV 40/41), enterovirus (EV) and human norovirus GII (HNoV GII) in two estuarine water environments (Davidson Park (DP) and Hen and Chicken Bay (HCB) in temperate Sydney, NSW, Australia, employing qPCR and RT-qPCR assays. The study also aimed to compare decay rates observed in mesocosms with previously published laboratory microcosms, providing insights into the persistence of markers and viruses in estuarine environments. Results indicated varying decay rates between DP and HCB mesocosms, with HF183 exhibiting relatively faster decay rates compared to other markers and enteric viruses in sunlight and dark mesocosms. In DP mesocosms, HF183 decayed the fastest, contrasting with PMMoV, which exhibited the slowest. Sunlight induced higher decay rates for all markers and viruses in DP mesocosms. In HCB sunlight mesocosms, HF183 nucleic acid decayed most rapidly compared to other markers and enteric viruses. In dark mesocosms, crAssphage showed the fastest decay, while PMMoV decayed at the slowest rate in both sunlight and dark mesocosms. Comparisons with laboratory microcosms revealed faster decay of markers and enteric viruses in laboratory microcosms than the mesocosms, except for crAssphage and HAdV 40/41 in dark, and PMMoV in sunlight mesocosms. The study concludes that decay rates of markers and enteric viruses vary between estuarine mesocosms, emphasizing the impact of sunlight exposure, which was potentially influenced by the elevated turbidity at HCB estuarine waters. The generated decay rates contribute valuable insights for establishing site-specific risk-based thresholds of human wastewater-associated markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warish Ahmed
- CSIRO Environment, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia.
| | - Asja Korajkic
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, 26W Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45268, United States
| | - Metasebia Gabrewold
- CSIRO Environment, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Sudhi Payyappat
- Sydney Water, 1 Smith Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia
| | - Michele Cassidy
- Sydney Water, 1 Smith Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia
| | - Nathan Harrison
- Sydney Water, 1 Smith Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia
| | - Colin Besley
- Sydney Water, 1 Smith Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia
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Su Y, Gao R, Huang F, Liang B, Guo J, Fan L, Wang A, Gao SH. Occurrence, transmission and risks assessment of pathogens in aquatic environments accessible to humans. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 354:120331. [PMID: 38368808 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120331] [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: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Pathogens are ubiquitously detected in various natural and engineered water systems, posing potential threats to public health. However, it remains unclear which human-accessible waters are hotspots for pathogens, how pathogens transmit to these waters, and what level of health risk associated with pathogens in these environments. This review collaboratively focuses and summarizes the contamination levels of pathogens on the 5 water systems accessible to humans (natural water, drinking water, recreational water, wastewater, and reclaimed water). Then, we showcase the pathways, influencing factors and simulation models of pathogens transmission and survival. Further, we compare the health risk levels of various pathogens through Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA), and assess the limitations of water-associated QMRA application. Pathogen levels in wastewater are consistently higher than in other water systems, with no significant variation for Cryptosporidium spp. among five water systems. Hydraulic conditions primarily govern the transmission of pathogens into human-accessible waters, while environmental factors such as temperature impact pathogens survival. The median and mean values of computed public health risk levels posed by pathogens consistently surpass safety thresholds, particularly in the context of recreational waters. Despite the highest pathogens levels found in wastewater, the calculated health risk is significantly lower than in other water systems. Except pathogens concentration, variables like the exposure mode, extent, and frequency are also crucial factors influencing the public health risk in water systems. This review shares valuable insights to the more accurate assessment and comprehensive management of public health risk in human-accessible water environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyi Su
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Rui Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Fang Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Bin Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Jianhua Guo
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Lu Fan
- Department of Ocean Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Aijie Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Shu-Hong Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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Vanderzalm J, Currie S, Smith W, Metcalfe S, Taylor N, Ahmed W. Microbial source tracking of fecal pollution to coral reef lagoons of Norfolk Island, Australia. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:168906. [PMID: 38016554 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168906] [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: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Fecal pollution contributes to global degradation of water quality and requires identification of the source(s) for predicting human health risk, tracking disease, and developing management strategies. While fecal indicator bacteria are commonly used to detect fecal pollution, they cannot identify sources. Novel approaches, such as microbial source tracking (MST), can be applied to evaluate the origin of fecal pollution. This study examined fecal pollution in the coral reef lagoons of Norfolk Island, Australia where reef health decline has been related to nutrient input. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the host sensitivity and specificity of two human wastewater-associated marker genes (Bacteroides HF183 (HF183) and cross-assembly phage (crAssphage)) and four animal feces associated marker genes targeting avian, ruminant, dog, and pig (Helicobacter-associated GFD (GFD), Bacteroides BacR (BacR), Bacteroides DogBact (DogBact), and Bacteroides Pig-2-Bac (Pig-2-Bac)) in wastewater and animal fecal samples collected from Norfolk Island. The prevalence and concentrations of these marker genes along with enterococci genetic marker (ENT 23S rRNA) of general fecal pollution and human adenovirus (HAdV), which is considered predominantly a pathogen but also a human-wastewater associated marker gene, were determined in surface, ground, and marine water resources. A secondary objective of this study was to assess the sources and pathways of fecal pollution to a sensitive marine environment under rainfall events. HF183, crAssphage, HAdV, and BacR demonstrated absolute host sensitivity values of 1.00, while GFD and Pig-2-Bac had host sensitivity values of 0.60, and 0.20, respectively. Host specificity values were > 0.94 for all marker genes. Human and animal (avian, ruminant, dog) fecal sources were present in the coral reef lagoons and surface water whereas groundwater was polluted by human wastewater markers. This study provides understanding of fecal pollution in water resources on Norfolk Island, Australia after precipitation events. The results may aid in effective water quality management, mitigating potential adverse effects on both human and environmental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne Vanderzalm
- CSIRO Environment, Waite Campus, Waite Rd, Urrbrae, SA 5064, Australia.
| | - Sharon Currie
- CSIRO Environment, Waite Campus, Waite Rd, Urrbrae, SA 5064, Australia
| | - Wendy Smith
- CSIRO Environment, Ecosciences Precint, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4202, Australia
| | - Suzanne Metcalfe
- CSIRO Environment, Ecosciences Precint, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4202, Australia
| | - Nathan Taylor
- Norfolk Island Water Resource Assessment Team, Kingston, Norfolk Island
| | - Warish Ahmed
- CSIRO Environment, Ecosciences Precint, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4202, Australia
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Ahmed W, Korajkic A, Smith WJ, Payyappat S, Cassidy M, Harrison N, Besley C. Comparing the decay of human wastewater-associated markers and enteric viruses in laboratory microcosms simulating estuarine waters in a temperate climatic zone using qPCR/RT-qPCR assays. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 908:167845. [PMID: 37879463 PMCID: PMC11070876 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167845] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the decay rates of wastewater-associated markers and enteric viruses in laboratory microcosms mimicking estuarine water environments in temperate Sydney, NSW, Australia using qPCR and RT-qPCR assays. The results demonstrated the reduction in concentrations of Bacteroides HF183, Lachnospiraceae Lachno3, cross-assembly phage (crAssphage), pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV), human adenovirus (HAdV 40/41), and enterovirus (EV) over a span of 42 days under spring/summer temperatures, presence/absence of microbiota, and different light conditions. The study found that HF183, Lachno3, crAssphage, PMMoV, HAdV 40/41, and EV exhibited varying decay rates depending on the experimental conditions. The average T90 values ranged from a few days to several months, indicating the rapid decay or prolonged persistence of these markers and enteric viruses in the estuarine environment. Furthermore, the study examined the effects of indigenous microbiota and spring/summer temperatures on wastewater-associated markers and enteric viruses decay rates. It was found that the presence of microbiota and temperature significantly influenced the decay rates of HF183 and PMMoV. Additionally, the study compared the effects of artificial sunlight and spring/summer temperatures on marker decay rates. Bacterial markers decayed faster than viral markers, although among viral markers crAssphage decay rates were relatively faster when compared to PMMoV. The exposure to artificial sunlight significantly accelerated the decay rates of bacterial markers, viral markers, and enteric viruses. Temperature also had an impact on the decay rates of Lachno3, crAssphage, and HAdV 40/41. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the decay rates of wastewater-associated markers and enteric viruses under different experimental conditions that mimicked temperate environmental conditions. The findings contribute to our understanding of the fate and persistence of these markers in the environment which is crucial for assessing and managing risks from contamination by untreated human wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warish Ahmed
- CSIRO Environment, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia.
| | - Asja Korajkic
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, 26W Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45268, United States
| | - Wendy J Smith
- CSIRO Environment, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Sudhi Payyappat
- Sydney Water, 1 Smith Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia
| | - Michele Cassidy
- Sydney Water, 1 Smith Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia
| | - Nathan Harrison
- Sydney Water, 1 Smith Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia
| | - Colin Besley
- Sydney Water, 1 Smith Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia
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Liu Y, Smith W, Gebrewold M, Wang X, Simpson SL, Bivins A, Ahmed W. Comparison of concentration and extraction workflows for qPCR quantification of intI1 and vanA in untreated wastewater. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 903:166442. [PMID: 37604373 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) measurement of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in untreated municipal wastewater may prove useful in combating the antimicrobial resistance crisis. However, harmonizing and optimizing qPCR-based workflows is essential to facilitate comparisons across studies, and includes achieving highly-effective ARG capture through efficient concentration and extraction procedures. In the current study, combinations of sample volume, membrane types and DNA extraction kits within filtration and centrifugation-based workflows were used to quantify 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA), class 1 integron-integrase gene (intI1) and an ARG encoding resistance to vancomycin (vanA) in untreated wastewater sampled from three wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Highly abundant 16S rRNA and intI1 were detected in 100 % of samples from all three WWTPs using both 2 and 20 mL sample volumes, while lower prevalence vanA was only detected when using the 20 mL volume. When filtering 2 mL of wastewater, workflows with 0.20-/0.40-μm polycarbonate (PC) membranes generally yielded greater concentrations of the three targets than workflows with 0.22-/0.45-μm mixed cellulose ester (MCE) membranes. The improved performance was diminished when the sample volume was increased to 20 mL. Consistently greater concentrations of 16S rRNA, intI1 and vanA were yielded by filtration-based workflows using PC membranes combined with a DNeasy PowerWater (DPW) Kit, regardless of the sample volume used, and centrifugation-based workflows with DNeasy Blood & Tissue Kit for 2-mL wastewater extractions. Within the filtration-based workflows, the DPW kit yielded more detection and quantifiable results for less abundant vanA than the DNeasy PowerSoil Pro Kit and FastDNA™ SPIN Kit for Soil. These findings indicate that the performance of qPCR-based workflows for surveillance of ARGs in wastewater varies across targets, sample volumes, concentration methods and extraction kits. Workflows must be carefully considered and validated considering the target ARGs to be monitored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yawen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; CSIRO Environment, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Wendy Smith
- CSIRO Environment, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Metasebia Gebrewold
- CSIRO Environment, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Xinhong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | | | - Aaron Bivins
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70809, USA
| | - Warish Ahmed
- CSIRO Environment, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia.
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Fu S, Zhang Y, Wang R, Deng Z, He F, Jiang X, Shen L. Longitudinal wastewater surveillance of four key pathogens during an unprecedented large-scale COVID-19 outbreak in China facilitated a novel strategy for addressing public health priorities-A proof of concept study. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 247:120751. [PMID: 37918201 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120751] [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: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is a promising tool for monitoring the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens, providing a novel public health strategy to combat disease. In this study, we first analysed nationwide reports of infectious diseases and selected Salmonella, norovirus, and influenza A virus (IAV) as prioritized targets apart from SARS-CoV-2 for wastewater surveillance. Next, the decay rates of Salmonella, norovirus, and IAV in wastewater at various temperatures were established to obtain corrected pathogen concentrations in sewage. We then monitored the concentrations of these pathogens in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) influents in three cities, establishing a prediction model to estimate the number of infected individuals based on the mass balance between total viral load in sewage and individual viral shedding. From October 2022 to March 2023, we conducted multipathogen wastewater surveillance (MPWS) in a WWTP serving one million people in Xi'an City, monitoring the concentration dynamics of SARS-CoV-2, Salmonella, norovirus, and IAV in sewage. The infection peaks of each pathogen were different, with Salmonella cases and sewage concentration declining from October to December 2022 and only occasionally detected thereafter. The SARS-CoV-2 concentration rapidly increased from December 5th, peaked on December 26th, and then quickly decreased until the end of the study. Norovirus and IAV were detected in wastewater from January to March 2023, peaking in February and March, respectively. We used the prediction models to estimate the rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Xi'an city, with nearly 90 % of the population infected in urban regions. There was no significant difference between the predicted and actual number of hospital admissions for IAV. We also accurately predicted the number of norovirus cases relative to the reported cases. Our findings highlight the importance of wastewater surveillance in addressing public health priorities, underscoring the need for a novel workflow that links the prediction results of populations with public health interventions and allocation of medical resources at the community level. This approach would prevent medical resource panic squeezes, reduce the severity and mortality of patients, and enhance overall public health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songzhe Fu
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China.
| | - Yixiang Zhang
- CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences (SIBS), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Rui Wang
- College of Marine Science and Environment, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, China; Key Laboratory of Environment Controlled Aquaculture (KLECA), Ministry of Education, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Zhiqiang Deng
- The Collaboration Unit for Field Epidemiology of State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Nanchang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanchang, China
| | - Fenglan He
- The Collaboration Unit for Field Epidemiology of State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Nanchang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanchang, China
| | - Xiaotong Jiang
- College of Marine Science and Environment, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, China; Key Laboratory of Environment Controlled Aquaculture (KLECA), Ministry of Education, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Lixin Shen
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China.
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Eisfeld C, van Breukelen BM, Medema G, van der Wolf JM, Velstra J, Schijven JF. QMRA of Ralstonia solanacearum in potato cultivation: Risks associated with irrigation water recycled through managed aquifer recharge. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 901:166181. [PMID: 37572894 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
Agricultural aquifer storage recovery and transfer (ASTR) stores excess fresh water for later reuse in irrigation. Moreover, water quality improves because chemical pollutants and pathogens will be removed by degradation and attachment to the aquifer material. The source water may contain the bacterial plant pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum which causes plant infections and high yield losses. We used quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) to investigate the removal of R. solanacearum during ASTR to predict infection risks of potato plants after irrigation with the recovered water. Laboratory experiments analyzed the ASTR treatment by investigating the bacterial die-off in the water phase and the removal by attachment to the aquifer sediment. Die-off in the water phase depends on the residence time and ranged between 1.3 and 2.7 log10 after 10 or 60 days water storage, respectively. A subpopulation of the bacteria persisted for a prolonged time at low concentrations which may pose a risk if the water is recovered too early. However, the natural aquifer sand filtration proofed to be highly effective in removing R. solanacearum by attachment which depends on the distance between injection and abstraction well. The high removal by attachment alone (18 log10 after 1 m) would reduce bacterial concentrations to negligible numbers. Upscaling to longer soil passages is discussed in the paper. Infection risks of potato plants were calculated using a dose-response model and ASTR treatment resulted in negligible infection risks of a single plant, but also when simulating the irrigation of a 5 ha potato field. This is the first QMRA that analyzed an agricultural ASTR and the fate of a plant pathogen focusing on plant health. QMRA is a useful (water) management tool to evaluate the treatment steps of water reclamation technologies with the aim to provide safe irrigation water and reduce risks disseminating plant diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Eisfeld
- Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Department of Water Management, Stevinweg 1, 2628 CN Delft, the Netherlands.
| | - Boris M van Breukelen
- Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Department of Water Management, Stevinweg 1, 2628 CN Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Gertjan Medema
- Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Department of Water Management, Stevinweg 1, 2628 CN Delft, the Netherlands; KWR Water Research Institute, Water Quality & Health, Groningenhaven 7, 3433 PE, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
| | - Jan M van der Wolf
- Wageningen Plant Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jouke Velstra
- Acacia Water B.V., Van Hogendorpplein 4, 2805 BM Gouda, the Netherlands
| | - Jack F Schijven
- National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Department of Statistics, Informatics and Modelling, 3720 BA Bilthoven, the Netherlands; Utrecht University, Faculty of Geosciences, Department of Earth Sciences, Heidelberglaan 2, 3584 CS Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Ahmed W, Fisher P, Veal C, Sturm K, Sidhu J, Toze S. Decay of Cryptosporidium parvfum DNA in cowpats in subtropical environments determined using qPCR. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 899:165481. [PMID: 37442482 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165481] [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: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Cryptosporidium oocysts pose a significant threat to public health due to its ability to contaminate environmental waters, leading to outbreaks of waterborne diseases and emphasizing the crucial need for effective water treatment and monitoring systems. This study aimed to investigate the decay of Cryptosporidium oocyst DNA in cow fecal matter under different environmental conditions prevalent in sub-tropical Southeast Queensland (SEQ) during summer and winter seasons. The effects of ambient sunlight and shaded conditions on the decay rates of C. parvum DNA in cow fecal samples were evaluated. The results showed that measurable levels of C. parvum DNA were observed for up to 60 days during the summer experiments, with a slower decay rate on the surface (k = -0.029) and sub-surface (k = -0.043) of the cowpat under shaded conditions than those on the surface (k = -0.064) and sub-surface (k = -0.079) under sunlight conditions. The decay rates of C. parvum DNA on the surface and sub-surface of the cowpat under shaded conditions were significantly slower (p = 0.004; p = 0.004) than those on the surface and sub-surface under sunlight conditions during summer experiments. During the winter treatments, measurable levels of C. parvum DNA were observed for up to 90 days, and the decay rates were slower on the surface (k = -0.036) and sub-surface (k = -0.034) of the cowpat under shaded conditions than those under sunlight conditions (k = -0.067 for surface and k = -0.057 for sub-surface). The decay rates of C. parvum DNA on the surface and sub-surface of the cowpat under shaded conditions were significantly slower than those on the surface (p = 0.009) and sub-surface (p = 0.041) under sunlight conditions during winter experiments. Moreover, the decay rate in the summer sunlight surface treatment (k = -0.064) was significantly faster from those in the winter shaded surface (k = -0.036; p = 0.018) and sub-surface (k = -0.034; p = 0.011) treatments. Similar results were also observed for summer sunlight sub-surface (k = -0.079), which was significantly faster than winter shaded surface (k = -0.036; p = 0.0008) and sub-surface (k = -0.034; p = 0.0005) treatments. Overall, these findings are important to enhance our understanding on the degradation of C. parvum DNA in cow fecal matter in SEQ, particularly in relation to seasonal variations and environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warish Ahmed
- CSIRO Environment, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia.
| | - Paul Fisher
- Seqwater, 117 Brisbane Street, Ipswich, QLD 4305, Australia
| | - Cameron Veal
- Seqwater, 117 Brisbane Street, Ipswich, QLD 4305, Australia
| | - Katrin Sturm
- Seqwater, 117 Brisbane Street, Ipswich, QLD 4305, Australia
| | - Jatinder Sidhu
- CSIRO Environment, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Simon Toze
- Urban Water Futures, 93 Kays Road, The Gap, QLD 4061, Australia; Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, The University of Queensland, Hawken Drive, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
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Ahmed W, Payyappat S, Cassidy M, Harrison N, Besley C. Reduction of human fecal markers and enteric viruses in Sydney estuarine waters receiving wet weather overflows. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 896:165008. [PMID: 37348731 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165008] [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: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
The current microbial source tracking (MST) study tracked the reduction of the culturable fecal indicator bacteria enterococci, four human fecal markers (Bacteroides HF183, Lachnospiraceae Lachno3, cross-assembly phage (CrAssphage) and pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV)) along with four enteric viruses - human adenovirus 40/41 (HAdV 40/41), enterovirus (EV), human norovirus GI (HNoV GI) and GII (HNoV GII) post wet weather overflows (WWOs) at two estuarine water sites from two depths under separate six-day sampling campaigns over seven and 12 days in Sydney, NSW, Australia. Neither HNoV GI nor GII was detected, while 13.9 % (10/72) of estuarine water samples had detections of EV. Quantifiable concentrations (0.64 to 2.00 log10 gene copies (GC)/100 mL) for HAdV 40/41 were returned from 65.2 % (47/72) of samples collected across the two sites and two depths with 30 quantifications recorded in the surface layer samples. In contrast the presence of HF183, Lachno3, CrAssphage, and PMMoV markers was observed in all 36 (100 %) estuarine water samples collected from the surface layer from both sites. Detection frequencies of these markers were slightly lower at 1 m above the bottom surface. The concentrations of the human fecal markers were compared to established gastrointestinal (GI) risk benchmarks. The concentrations of HF183, Lachno3 and CrAssphage marker only exceeded the GI risk benchmark until day 3, while concentrations of PMMoV marker were indicative of exceedance of the GI risk benchmark on day 7 post WWOs that was much longer than indicated by culturable enterococci concentrations that were within this GI risk benchmark by day 2 and day 4 for the two sites, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warish Ahmed
- CSIRO Environment, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia.
| | - Sudhi Payyappat
- Sydney Water, 1 Smith Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia
| | - Michele Cassidy
- Sydney Water, 1 Smith Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia
| | - Nathan Harrison
- Sydney Water, 1 Smith Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia
| | - Colin Besley
- Sydney Water, 1 Smith Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia
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Ahmed W, Smith WJM, Tiwari A, Bivins A, Simpson SL. Unveiling indicator, enteric, and respiratory viruses in aircraft lavatory wastewater using adsorption-extraction and Nanotrap® Microbiome A Particles workflows. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 896:165007. [PMID: 37348715 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
The effective detection of viruses in aircraft wastewater is crucial to establish surveillance programs for monitoring virus spread via aircraft passengers. This study aimed to compare the performance of two virus concentration workflows, adsorption-extraction (AE) and Nanotrap® Microbiome A Particles (NMAP), in detecting the prevalence and concentrations of 15 endogenous viruses including ssDNA, dsDNA, ssRNA in 24 aircraft lavatory wastewater samples. The viruses tested included two indicator viruses, four enteric viruses, and nine respiratory viruses. The results showed that cross-assembly phage (crAssphage), human polyomavirus (HPyV), rhinovirus A (RhV A), and rhinovirus B (RhV B) were detected in all wastewater samples using both workflows. However, enterovirus (EV), human norovirus GII (HNoV GII), human adenovirus (HAdV), bocavirus (BoV), parechovirus (PeV), epstein-barr virus (EBV). Influenza A virus (IAV), and respiratory syncytial virus B (RsV B) were infrequently detected by both workflows, and hepatitis A virus (HAV), influenza B virus (IBV), and respiratory syncytial virus B (RsV A) were not detected in any samples. The NMAP workflow had greater detection rates of RNA viruses (EV, PeV, and RsV B) than the AE workflow, while the AE workflow had greater detection rates of DNA viruses (HAdV, BoV, and EBV) than the NMAP workflow. The concentration of each virus was also analyzed, and the results showed that crAssphage had the highest mean concentration (6.76 log10 GC/12.5 mL) followed by HPyV (5.46 log10 GC/12.5 mL using the AE workflow, while the mean concentrations of enteric and respiratory viruses ranged from 2.48 to 3.63 log10 GC/12.5 mL. Using the NMAP workflow, the mean concentration of crAssphage was 5.18 log10 GC/12.5 mL and the mean concentration of HPyV was 4.20 log10 GC/12.5 mL, while mean concentrations of enteric and respiratory viruses ranged from 2.55 to 3.74 log10 GC/12.5 mL. Significantly higher (p < 0.05) mean concentrations of crAssphage and HPyV were observed when employing the AE workflow in comparison to the NMAP workflow. Conversely, the NMAP workflow yielded significantly greater (p < 0.05) concentrations of RhV A, and RhV B compared to the AE workflow. The findings of this study can aid in the selection of an appropriate concentration workflow for virus surveillance studies and contribute to the development of efficient virus detection methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warish Ahmed
- CSIRO Environment, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia.
| | - Wendy J M Smith
- CSIRO Environment, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Ananda Tiwari
- Expert Microbiology Research Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio 70701, Finland
| | - Aaron Bivins
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
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11
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Ahmed W, Payyappat S, Cassidy M, Harrison N, Besley C. Microbial source tracking of untreated human wastewater and animal scats in urbanized estuarine waters. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 877:162764. [PMID: 36907409 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The study assessed the performance characteristics of host sensitivity, host specificity and concentration for seven human wastewater- and six animal scat-associated marker genes by analysing human wastewater and animal scat samples from urban catchments of the mega-coastal city of Sydney, Australia. Absolute host sensitivity was exhibited across three criteria used to assess seven human wastewater-associated marker genes of cross-assembly phage (CrAssphage), human adenovirus (HAdV), Bacteroides HF183 (HF183), human polyomavirus (HPyV), Lachnospiraceae (Lachno3), Methnobrevibacter smithii nifH (nifH) and pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV). In contrast, only the horse scat-associated marker gene Bacteroides HoF597 (HoF597) exhibited absolute host sensitivity. The absolute host specificity value of 1.0 was returned for the wastewater-associated marker genes of HAdV, HPyV, nifH and PMMoV for each of the three applied host specificity calculation criteria, while values of >0.9 were returned for CrAssphage and Lachno3. Ruminants and cow scat-associated marker genes of BacR and CowM2, respectively exhibited the absolute host specificity value of 1.0. Concentrations of Lachno3 were greater in most human wastewater samples followed by CrAssphage, HF183, nifH, HPyV, PMMoV and HAdV. Human wastewater marker genes were detected in several scat samples from cats and dogs, and this suggests concordant sampling of animal scat-associated marker genes and at least two human wastewater-associated marker genes will be required to assist in interpretation of fecal sources in environmental waters. A greater prevalence, together with several samples with greater concentrations of human wastewater-associated marker genes PMMoV and CrAssphage warrant consideration by water quality managers for the detection of diluted human fecal pollution in estuarine waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warish Ahmed
- CSIRO Environment, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia.
| | - Sudhi Payyappat
- Sydney Water, 1 Smith Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia
| | - Michele Cassidy
- Sydney Water, 1 Smith Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia
| | - Nathan Harrison
- Sydney Water, 1 Smith Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia
| | - Colin Besley
- Sydney Water, 1 Smith Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia
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12
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Reyes-Calderón A, Mindreau-Ganoza E, Pardo-Figueroa B, Garcia-Luquillas KR, Yufra SP, Romero PE, Antonini C, Renom JM, Mota CR, Santa-Maria MC. Evaluation of low-cost SARS-CoV-2 RNA purification methods for viral quantification by RT-qPCR and next-generation sequencing analysis: Implications for wider wastewater-based epidemiology adoption. Heliyon 2023; 9:e16130. [PMID: 37228686 PMCID: PMC10188194 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Based Epidemiology (WBE) consists of quantifying biomarkers in sewerage systems to derive real-time information on the health and/or lifestyle of the contributing population. WBE usefulness was vastly demonstrated in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many methods for SARS-CoV-2 RNA determination in wastewater were devised, which vary in cost, infrastructure requirements and sensitivity. For most developing countries, implementing WBE for viral outbreaks, such as that of SARS-CoV-2, proved challenging due to budget, reagent availability and infrastructure constraints. In this study, we assessed low-cost methods for SARS-CoV-2 RNA quantification by RT-qPCR, and performed variant identification by NGS in wastewater samples. Results showed that the effect of adjusting pH to 4 and/or adding MgCl2 (25 mM) was negligible when using the adsorption-elution method, as well as basal physicochemical parameters in the sample. In addition, results supported the standardized use of linear rather than plasmid DNA for a more accurate viral RT-qPCR estimation. The modified TRIzol-based purification method in this study yielded comparable RT-qPCR estimation to a column-based approach, but provided better NGS results, suggesting that column-based purification for viral analysis should be revised. Overall, this work provides evaluation of a robust, sensitive and cost-effective method for SARS-CoV-2 RNA analysis that could be implemented for other viruses, for a wider WEB adoption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alonso Reyes-Calderón
- Centro de Investigación y Tecnología del Agua - CITA, Universidad de Ingenieria y Tecnologia - UTEC, Jr. Medrano Silva 165, Lima, 15063, Peru
| | - Elías Mindreau-Ganoza
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Av. Germán Amézaga s/n, Lima, 15081, Peru
| | - Braulio Pardo-Figueroa
- Centro de Investigación y Tecnología del Agua - CITA, Universidad de Ingenieria y Tecnologia - UTEC, Jr. Medrano Silva 165, Lima, 15063, Peru
| | - Katherine R Garcia-Luquillas
- Centro de Investigación y Tecnología del Agua - CITA, Universidad de Ingenieria y Tecnologia - UTEC, Jr. Medrano Silva 165, Lima, 15063, Peru
| | - Sonia P Yufra
- Departamento de Ingeniería Metalúrgica e Ingeniería Ambiental, Universidad Nacional de San Agustín, Av. Independencia s/n, Arequipa, 04001, Peru
| | - Pedro E Romero
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Av. Germán Amézaga s/n, Lima, 15081, Peru
| | - Claudia Antonini
- Departamento de Ingeniería Industrial, Universidad de Ingenieria y Tecnologia - UTEC, Jr. Medrano Silva 165, Lima, 15063, Peru
| | - Jose-Miguel Renom
- Departamento de Ciencias, Universidad de Ingenieria y Tecnologia - UTEC, Jr. Medrano Silva 165, Lima, 15063, Peru
| | - Cesar R Mota
- Departamento de Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental, Escola de Engenharia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Av. Antonio Carlos, Belo Horizonte, 6.627, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Monica C Santa-Maria
- Centro de Investigación y Tecnología del Agua - CITA, Universidad de Ingenieria y Tecnologia - UTEC, Jr. Medrano Silva 165, Lima, 15063, Peru
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13
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Ahmed W, Smith WJM, Sirikanchana K, Kitajima M, Bivins A, Simpson SL. Influence of membrane pore-size on the recovery of endogenous viruses from wastewater using an Adsorption-Extraction method. J Virol Methods 2023; 317:114732. [PMID: 37080396 PMCID: PMC10111872 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2023.114732] [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: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the significance of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) in monitoring and tracking the spread of infectious diseases, including SARS-CoV-2. The WBE approach relies on detecting genetic material from viruses in wastewater, which could provide an early warning of outbreaks in communities. In this study, we evaluated the recovery of four types of endogenous viruses, including non-enveloped DNA (crAssphage and human adenovirus 40/41), non-enveloped RNA (enterovirus), and enveloped RNA (SARS-CoV-2) viruses, from wastewater samples using the adsorption-extraction (AE) method with electronegative membranes of different pore sizes (0.22, 0.45, and 0.8 μm). Our findings showed that the membrane with a pore size of 0.80 μm performed similarly to the membrane with a pore size of 0.45 μm for virus capture (repeated measurement one-way ANOVA; p >0.05), indicating that larger pore size membranes could process larger sample volumes while maintaining similar virus capture efficiency. We determined the recovery efficiencies of indigenous crAssphage and pepper mild mottle virus, which showed recovery efficiencies ranging from 50% to 94% and from 20% to 62%, respectively. Our results suggest that the AE method is a cost-effective and efficient approach for virus recovery in wastewater, and the use of larger pore size membranes may be beneficial for processing larger sample volumes, particularly for environmental waters containing low concentrations of viruses. This study provides valuable information for optimizing the AE method for virus recovery from wastewater, which is essential for monitoring and tracking infectious diseases in communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warish Ahmed
- CSIRO Environment, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia.
| | - Wendy J M Smith
- CSIRO Environment, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Kwanrawee Sirikanchana
- Research Laboratory of Biotechnology, Chulabhorn Research Institute, 54 Kampangpetch 6 Road, Laksi, Bangkok 10210, Thailand
| | - Masaaki Kitajima
- Division of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, North 13 West 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060 -8628, Japan
| | - Aaron Bivins
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Louisiana State University, 3255 Patrick F. Taylor Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
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14
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González-Fernández A, Symonds EM, Gallard-Gongora JF, Mull B, Lukasik JO, Rivera Navarro P, Badilla Aguilar A, Peraud J, Mora Alvarado D, Cantor A, Breitbart M, Cairns MR, Harwood VJ. Risk of Gastroenteritis from Swimming at a Wastewater-Impacted Tropical Beach Varies across Localized Scales. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0103322. [PMID: 36847564 PMCID: PMC10057883 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01033-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Population growth and changing climate are expected to increase human exposure to pathogens in tropical coastal waters. We examined microbiological water quality in three rivers within 2.3 km of each other that impact a Costa Rican beach and in the ocean outside their plumes during the rainy and dry seasons. We performed quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) to predict the risk of gastroenteritis associated with swimming and the amount of pathogen reduction needed to achieve safe conditions. Recreational water quality criteria based on enterococci were exceeded in >90% of river samples but in only 13% of ocean samples. Multivariate analysis grouped microbial observations by subwatershed and season in river samples but only by subwatershed in the ocean. The modeled median risk from all pathogens in river samples was between 0.345 and 0.577, 10-fold above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) benchmark of 0.036 (36 illnesses/1,000 swimmers). Norovirus genogroup I (NoVGI) contributed most to risk, but adenoviruses raised risk above the threshold in the two most urban subwatersheds. The risk was greater in the dry compared to the rainy season, due largely to the greater frequency of NoVGI detection (100% versus 41%). Viral log10 reduction needed to ensure safe swimming conditions varied by subwatershed and season and was greatest in the dry season (3.8 to 4.1 dry; 2.7 to 3.2 rainy). QMRA that accounts for seasonal and local variability of water quality contributes to understanding the complex influences of hydrology, land use, and environment on human health risk in tropical coastal areas and can contribute to improved beach management. IMPORTANCE This holistic investigation of sanitary water quality at a Costa Rican beach assessed microbial source tracking (MST) marker genes, pathogens, and indicators of sewage. Such studies are still rare in tropical climates. Quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) found that rivers impacting the beach consistently exceeded the U.S. EPA risk threshold for gastroenteritis of 36/1,000 swimmers. The study improves upon many QMRA studies by measuring specific pathogens, rather than relying on surrogates (indicator organisms or MST markers) or estimating pathogen concentrations from the literature. By analyzing microbial levels and estimating the risk of gastrointestinal illness in each river, we were able to discern differences in pathogen levels and human health risks even though all rivers were highly polluted by wastewater and were located less than 2.5 km from one another. This variability on a localized scale has not, to our knowledge, previously been demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Erin M. Symonds
- College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, Saint Petersburg, Florida, USA
- Department of Anthropology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | | | - Bonnie Mull
- BCS Laboratories, Inc., Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | | | - Pablo Rivera Navarro
- Laboratorio Nacional de Aguas, Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, Tres Ríos, Cartago, Costa Rica
| | - Andrei Badilla Aguilar
- Laboratorio Nacional de Aguas, Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, Tres Ríos, Cartago, Costa Rica
| | - Jayme Peraud
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Darner Mora Alvarado
- Laboratorio Nacional de Aguas, Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, Tres Ríos, Cartago, Costa Rica
| | - Allison Cantor
- Department of Anthropology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Mya Breitbart
- College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, Saint Petersburg, Florida, USA
| | - Maryann R. Cairns
- Department of Anthropology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Valerie J. Harwood
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
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15
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Ahmed W, Bivins A, Stephens M, Metcalfe S, Smith WJM, Sirikanchana K, Kitajima M, Simpson SL. Occurrence of multiple respiratory viruses in wastewater in Queensland, Australia: Potential for community disease surveillance. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 864:161023. [PMID: 36539100 PMCID: PMC9759456 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.161023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The early warning and tracking of COVID-19 prevalence in the community provided by wastewater surveillance has highlighted its potential for much broader viral disease surveillance. In this proof-of-concept study, 46 wastewater samples from four wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Queensland, Australia, were analyzed for the presence and abundance of 13 respiratory viruses, and the results were compared with reported clinical cases. The viruses were concentrated using the adsorption-extraction (AE) method, and extracted nucleic acids were analyzed using qPCR and RT-qPCR. Among the viruses tested, bocavirus (BoV), parechovirus (PeV), rhinovirus A (RhV A) and rhinovirus B (RhV B) were detected in all wastewater samples. All the tested viruses except influenza B virus (IBV) were detected in wastewater sample from at least one WWTP. BoV was detected with the greatest concentration (4.96-7.22 log10 GC/L), followed by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) (4.08-6.46 log10 GC/L), RhV A (3.95-5.63 log10 GC/L), RhV B (3.74-5.61 log10 GC/L), and PeV (3.17-5.32 log10 GC/L). Influenza viruses and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are notifiable conditions in Queensland, allowing the gene copy (GC) concentrations to be compared with reported clinical cases. Significant correlations (ρ = 0.60, p < 0.01 for IAV and ρ = 0.53, p < 0.01 for RSV) were observed when pooled wastewater influenza A virus (IAV) and RSV log10 GC/L concentrations were compared to log10 clinical cases among the four WWTP catchments. The positive predictive value for the presence of IAV and RSV in wastewater was 97 % for both IAV and RSV clinical cases within the four WWTP catchments. The overall accuracy of wastewater analysis for predicting clinical cases of IAV and RSV was 97 and 90 %, respectively. This paper lends credibility to the application of wastewater surveillance to monitor respiratory viruses of various genomic characteristics, with potential uses for increased surveillance capabilities and as a tool in understanding the dynamics of disease circulation in the communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warish Ahmed
- CSIRO Environment, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia.
| | - Aaron Bivins
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Louisiana State University, 3255 Patrick F. Taylor Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Mikayla Stephens
- CSIRO Environment, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Suzanne Metcalfe
- CSIRO Environment, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Wendy J M Smith
- CSIRO Environment, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Kwanrawee Sirikanchana
- Research Laboratory of Biotechnology, Chulabhorn Research Institute, 54 Kampangpetch 6 Road, Laksi, Bangkok 10210, Thailand
| | - Masaaki Kitajima
- Division of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, North 13 West 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-8628, Japan
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16
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de Araújo JC, Madeira CL, Bressani T, Leal C, Leroy D, Machado EC, Fernandes LA, Espinosa MF, Freitas GTO, Leão T, Mota VT, Pereira AD, Perdigão C, Tröger F, Ayrimoraes S, de Melo MC, Laguardia F, Reis MTP, Mota C, Chernicharo CAL. Quantification of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater samples from hospitals treating COVID-19 patients during the first wave of the pandemic in Brazil. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 860:160498. [PMID: 36436622 PMCID: PMC9691275 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global health crisis, and wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has emerged as an important tool to assist public health decision-making. Recent studies have shown that the SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentration in wastewater samples is a reliable indicator of the severity of the pandemic for large populations. However, few studies have established a strong correlation between the number of infected people and the viral concentration in wastewater due to variations in viral shedding over time, viral decay, infiltration, and inflow. Herein we present the relationship between the number of COVID-19-positive patients and the viral concentration in wastewater samples from three different hospitals (A, B, and C) in the city of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. A positive and strong correlation between wastewater SARS-CoV-2 concentration and the number of confirmed cases was observed for Hospital B for both regions of the N gene (R = 0.89 and 0.77 for N1 and N2, respectively), while samples from Hospitals A and C showed low and moderate correlations, respectively. Even though the effects of viral decay and infiltration were minimized in our study, the variability of viral shedding throughout the infection period and feces dilution due to water usage for different activities in the hospitals could have affected the viral concentrations. These effects were prominent in Hospital A, which had the smallest sewershed population size, and where no correlation between the number of defecations from COVID-19 patients and viral concentration in wastewater was observed. Although we could not determine trends in the number of infected patients through SARS-CoV-2 concentrations in hospitals' wastewater samples, our results suggest that wastewater monitoring can be efficient for the detection of infected individuals at a local level, complementing clinical data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Calábria de Araújo
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil.
| | - Camila L Madeira
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Thiago Bressani
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Cíntia Leal
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Deborah Leroy
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Elayne C Machado
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Luyara A Fernandes
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Maria Fernanda Espinosa
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Gabriel Tadeu O Freitas
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Thiago Leão
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Vera Tainá Mota
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Alyne Duarte Pereira
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | | | - Flávio Tröger
- National Agency for Water and Sanitation (ANA), Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - César Mota
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Carlos A L Chernicharo
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
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17
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Ahmed W, Bivins A, Korajkic A, Metcalfe S, Smith WJM, Simpson SL. Comparative analysis of Adsorption-Extraction (AE) and Nanotrap® Magnetic Virus Particles (NMVP) workflows for the recovery of endogenous enveloped and non-enveloped viruses in wastewater. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 859:160072. [PMID: 36356768 PMCID: PMC10823496 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In this study, two virus concentration methods, namely Adsorption-Extraction (AE) and Nanotrap® Magnetic Virus Particles (NMVP) along with commercially available extraction kits were used to quantify endogenous pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in nucleic acid extracted from 48 wastewater samples collected over six events from eight wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The main aim was to determine which workflow (i.e., concentration and extraction methods) produces greater concentrations of endogenous PMMoV and SARS-CoV-2 gene copies (GC) in comparison with each other. Turbidity and total suspended solids (TSS) of wastewater samples within and among the eight WWTPs were highly variable (41-385 NTU and 77-668 mg/L TSS). In 58 % of individual wastewater samples, the log10 GC concentrations of PMMoV were greater by NMVP workflow compared to AE workflow. Paired measurements of PMMoV GC/10 mL from AE and NMVP across all 48 wastewater samples were weakly correlated (r = 0.455, p = 0.001) and demonstrated a poor linear relationship (r2 = 0.207). The log10 GC concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 in 69 % of individual samples were greater by AE workflow compared to NMVP workflow. In contrast to PMMoV, the AE and NMVP derived SARS-CoV-2 GC counts were strongly correlated (r = 0.859, p < 0.001) and demonstrated a strong linear relationship (r2 = 0.738). In general, the PMMoV GC achieved by the NMVP workflow decreased with increasing turbidity, but the PMMoV GC by the AE workflow did not appear to be as sensitive to either turbidity or TSS levels. These findings suggest that wastewater sample turbidity or suspended solids concentration, and the intended target for analysis should be considered when validating an optimal workflow for wastewater surveillance of viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warish Ahmed
- CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia.
| | - Aaron Bivins
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Louisiana State University, 3255 Patrick F. Taylor Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Asja Korajkic
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, 26W Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA
| | - Suzanne Metcalfe
- CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Wendy J M Smith
- CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
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18
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Panagiotou CF, Stefan C, Papanastasiou P, Sprenger C. Quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) for setting health-based performance targets during soil aquifer treatment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:14424-14438. [PMID: 36151439 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-22729-y] [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: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
A quantitative microbial risk assessment was conducted to assess the health risks associated with the exposure of agricultural workers to tertiary treated wastewater in irrigated fields through soil ingestion in Cyprus. Three pathogenic microorganisms were chosen, particularly E. coli (bacteria), rotavirus (viruses) and Cryptosporidium. Two extreme exposure scenarios were investigated. Monte Carlo simulations were performed using input data from literature, and the model outputs were compared to the health standards of the World Health Organization (WHO). The results suggested that additional treatment is required for all pathogens to satisfy the health standards. Sensitivity analysis identified the source concentration and pathogen reduction due to soil aquifer passage as the most influential factors in the model outputs. Additional computations were performed to evaluate the minimum pathogen reduction due to soil aquifer passage so that the health targets are achieved for the 95 % of the output values. Rotavirus and Cryptosporidium were found to require more treatment than E. coli. The inclusion of these reference pathogens to the monitoring network of the local authorities is recommended, and the role of soil aquifer passage is emphasized on reducing the concentration of the contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constantinos F Panagiotou
- Nireas International Water Research Center, University of Cyprus, 75 Kallipoleos, Nicosia, 1678, Cyprus.
- Department of Environment and Climate, Eratosthenes Centre of Excellence, Fragklinou Rousbelt 82, 3012, Limassol, Cyprus.
| | - Catalin Stefan
- Research Group INOWAS, Department of Hydrosciences, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, 01062, Germany
| | - Panos Papanastasiou
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Cyprus, 1 Panepistimiou, Nicosia, 2109, Cyprus
| | - Christoph Sprenger
- Berlin Centre of Competence for Water, Cicerostrasse 24, Berlin, 10709, Germany
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19
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Eisfeld C, Schijven JF, Kastelein P, van Breukelen BM, Medema G, Velstra J, Teunis PFM, van der Wolf JM. Dose-response relationship of Ralstonia solanacearum and potato in greenhouse and in vitro experiments. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:1074192. [PMID: 36937141 PMCID: PMC10020725 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1074192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Ralstonia solanacearum is the causative agent of bacterial wilt of potato and other vegetable crops. Contaminated irrigation water contributes to the dissemination of this pathogen but the exact concentration or biological threshold to cause an infection is unknown. In two greenhouse experiments, potted potato plants (Solanum tuberosum) were exposed to a single irrigation with 50 mL water (non-invasive soil-soak inoculation) containing no or 102 - 108 CFU/mL R. solanacearum. The disease response of two cultivars, Kondor and HB, were compared. Disease development was monitored over a three-month period after which stems, roots and tubers of asymptomatic plants were analyzed for latent infections. First wilting symptoms were observed 15 days post inoculation in a plant inoculated with 5x109 CFU and a mean disease index was used to monitor disease development over time. An inoculum of 5x105 CFU per pot (1.3x102 CFU/g soil) was the minimum dose required to cause wilting symptoms, while one latent infection was detected at the lowest dose of 5x102 CFU per pot (0.13 CFU/g). In a second set of experiments, stem-inoculated potato plants grown in vitro were used to investigate the dose-response relationship under optimal conditions for pathogen growth and disease development. Plants were inoculated with doses between 0.5 and 5x105 CFU/plant which resulted in visible symptoms at all doses. The results led to a dose-response model describing the relationship between R. solanacearum exposure and probability of infection or illness of potato plants. Cultivar Kondor was more susceptible to brown-rot infections than HB in greenhouse experiments while there was no significant difference between the dose-response models of both cultivars in in vitro experiments. The ED50 for infection of cv Kondor was 1.1x107 CFU. Results can be used in management strategies aimed to reduce or eliminate the risk of bacterial wilt infection when using treated water in irrigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Eisfeld
- Department of Water Management, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Jack F. Schijven
- Department of Statistics, Informatics and Modelling, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, Netherlands
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Pieter Kastelein
- Department of Biointeractions and Plant Health, Wageningen Plant Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Boris M. van Breukelen
- Department of Water Management, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Gertjan Medema
- Department of Water Management, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
- Water Quality & Health, KWR Water Research Institute, Nieuwegein, Netherlands
| | | | - Peter F. M. Teunis
- Center for Global Safe Water, Sanitation and Health, Hubert Department of Global Health Rollins School of Public Health Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jan M. van der Wolf
- Department of Biointeractions and Plant Health, Wageningen Plant Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
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20
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Rocha AY, Verbyla ME, Sant KE, Mladenov N. Detection, Quantification, and Simplified Wastewater Surveillance Model of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the Tijuana River. ACS ES&T WATER 2022; 2:2134-2143. [PMID: 36398132 PMCID: PMC9063987 DOI: 10.1021/acsestwater.2c00062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in sewage has expanded global interest in wastewater surveillance. However, many underserved communities throughout the world lack improved sanitation and use informal combined sanitary and storm sewer systems. Sewage is transported via open channels, ditches, and rivers, where it mixes with surface water and/or stormwater. There is a need to develop better methods for the surveillance of pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2 RNA in this context. We developed a simplified surveillance system and monitored flow rates and concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the Tijuana River at two locations downstream of the United States-Mexico border in California, United States. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in the upstream location on six out of eight occasions, two of which were at concentrations as high as those reported in untreated wastewater from California sanitary sewer systems. The virus was not detected in any of the eight samples collected at the downstream (estuarine) sampling location, despite the consistent detection of PMMoV RNA. Synchrony was observed between the number of cases reported in Tijuana and the SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations measured with the CDC N1 assay when the latter were normalized by the reported flow rates in the river.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alma Y. Rocha
- Department
of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92182, United States
| | - Matthew E. Verbyla
- Department
of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92182, United States
| | - Karilyn E. Sant
- School
of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92182, United States
| | - Natalie Mladenov
- Department
of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92182, United States
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21
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Pardo-Figueroa B, Mindreau-Ganoza E, Reyes-Calderon A, Yufra SP, Solorzano-Ortiz IM, Donayre-Torres AJ, Antonini C, Renom JM, Quispe AM, Mota CR, Chernicharo CAL, Carbajal MA, Santa-María M. Spatiotemporal Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in the Sewage of Three Major Urban Areas in Peru: Generating Valuable Data Where Clinical Testing Is Extremely Limited. ACS ES&T WATER 2022; 2:2144-2157. [PMID: 37552743 PMCID: PMC9159516 DOI: 10.1021/acsestwater.2c00065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Peru has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. By January 2022, Peru had surpassed 200 000 COVID-19 deaths, constituting the highest death rate per capita worldwide. Peru has had several limitations during the pandemic: insufficient testing access, limited contact tracing, a strained medical infrastructure, and many economic hurdles. These limitations hindered the gathering of accurate information about infected individuals with spatial resolution in real time, a critical aspect of effectively controlling the pandemic. Wastewater monitoring for SARS-CoV-2 RNA offered a promising alternative for providing needed population-wide information to complement health care indicators. In this study, we demonstrate the feasibility and value of implementing a decentralized SARS-CoV-2 RNA wastewater monitoring system to assess the spatiotemporal distribution of COVID-19 in three major cities in Peru: Lima, Callao, and Arequipa. Our data on viral loads showed the same trends as health indicators such as incidence and mortality. Furthermore, we were able to identify hot spots of contagion within the surveyed urban areas to guide the efforts of health authorities. Viral decay in the sewage network of the cities studied was found to be negligible (<2%). Overall, our results support wastewater monitoring for SARS-CoV-2 as a valuable and cost-effective tool for monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic in the Peruvian context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Braulio Pardo-Figueroa
- Universidad de Ingenieria y Tecnologia
(UTEC), Centro de Investigación y Tecnología del Agua
(CITA), Jr. Medrano Silva 165, Lima 15063, Peru
| | - Elias Mindreau-Ganoza
- Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos,
Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Av. Germán Amézaga
s/n, Lima 15081, Peru
| | - Alonso Reyes-Calderon
- Universidad de Ingenieria y Tecnologia
(UTEC), Centro de Investigación y Tecnología del Agua
(CITA), Jr. Medrano Silva 165, Lima 15063, Peru
| | - Sonia P. Yufra
- Universidad Nacional de San Agustin de
Arequipa, Departamento de Ingeniería Metalúrgica e
Ingeniería Ambiental, Av. Independencia s/n, Arequipa 04001,
Peru
| | - Isabel M. Solorzano-Ortiz
- Universidad de Ingenieria y Tecnologia
(UTEC), Departamento de Ingeniería Ambiental, Jr. Medrano Silva
165, Lima 15063, Peru
| | - Alberto J. Donayre-Torres
- Universidad de Ingenieria y Tecnologia
(UTEC), Departamento de Bioingeniería, Jr. Medrano Silva 165, Lima
15063, Peru
| | - Claudia Antonini
- Universidad de Ingenieria y Tecnologia
(UTEC), Departamento de Ingeniería Industrial, Jr. Medrano Silva
165, Lima 15063, Peru
| | - Jose Miguel Renom
- Universidad de Ingenieria y Tecnologia
(UTEC), Departamento de Ciencias, Jr. Medrano Silva 165, Lima 15063,
Peru
| | - Antonio Marty Quispe
- Universidad de Ingenieria y Tecnologia
(UTEC), Departamento de Bioingeniería, Jr. Medrano Silva 165, Lima
15063, Peru
- Universidad Continental,
Escuela de Posgrado, Av. San Carlos 1980, Huancayo 12001, Peru
| | - Cesar R. Mota
- Universidade Federal de Minas
Gerais, Departamento de Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental, Escola de
Engenharia, Av. Antonio Carlos, 6.627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte,
Brazil
| | - Carlos A. L. Chernicharo
- Universidade Federal de Minas
Gerais, Departamento de Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental, Escola de
Engenharia, Av. Antonio Carlos, 6.627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte,
Brazil
| | - Max A. Carbajal
- Ministerio de Vivienda
Construcción y Saneamiento, Dirección de Saneamiento, Av.
República de Panamá 3650, Lima 15073, Peru
| | - Mónica
C. Santa-María
- Universidad de Ingenieria y Tecnologia
(UTEC), Centro de Investigación y Tecnología del Agua
(CITA), Jr. Medrano Silva 165, Lima 15063, Peru
- Universidad de Ingenieria y Tecnologia
(UTEC), Departamento de Ingeniería Ambiental, Jr. Medrano Silva
165, Lima 15063, Peru
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22
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Ahmed W, Bivins A, Payyappat S, Cassidy M, Harrison N, Besley C. Distribution of human fecal marker genes and their association with pathogenic viruses in untreated wastewater determined using quantitative PCR. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 226:119093. [PMID: 36252296 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.119093] [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: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) of human health risks using human fecal marker genes (HFMGs) is an useful water quality management tool. To inform accurate QMRA analysis, generation of probability distribution functions for HFMGs, and reference pathogenic viruses can be improved by input of correlation and ratios based upon measurement of HFMGs and gene copies (GC) of pathogenic viruses in untreated wastewater. The concentrations of four HFMGs (Bacteroides HF183, Lachnospiraceae Lachno3, CrAssphage and pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV)), and GC of three reference pathogenic viruses human adenovirus 40/41 (HAdV 40/41), human norovirus GI + GII HNoV GI + GII and enterovirus (EV) were measured in untreated wastewater samples collected over a period of 12 months from two wastewater treatment plants in Sydney, Australia using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and reverse transcription qPCR (RT-qPCR). Over the course of the study, the GC of potential pathogenic viruses were 3-5 orders of magnitude lower than HFMGs in untreated wastewater. The GC of pathogenic viruses were highly variable over the course of the study, which contrasted with the concentrations of HFMGs that were quite stable with little variation observed within and between WWTPs. Among the HFMGs, HF183, CrAssphage and PMMoV correlated well with pathogenic virus GC, whereas weak or negative correlations were observed between Lachno3 and pathogenic virus GC. While the two assessed WWTPs had dissimilar population service sizes, the ratios between log10 transformed pathogenic virus GC and HFMGs demonstrated similar central tendency and variability for the same combinations between WWTP A and WWTP B with no difference between the WWTPs. This suggests the widespread presence of these HFMGs in both populations serviced by these two WWTPs. The observed correlation and ratios of HFMGs and GC of reference pathogenic viruses can contribute to improved QMRA of human health risks in environmental waters subject to fresh sewer overflows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warish Ahmed
- CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia.
| | - Aaron Bivins
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Louisiana State University, 3255 Patrick F. Taylor Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Sudhi Payyappat
- Sydney Water, 1 Smith Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia
| | - Michele Cassidy
- Sydney Water, 1 Smith Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia
| | - Nathan Harrison
- Sydney Water, 1 Smith Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia
| | - Colin Besley
- Sydney Water, 1 Smith Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia
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23
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de Araújo JC, Mota VT, Teodoro A, Leal C, Leroy D, Madeira C, Machado EC, Dias MF, Souza CC, Coelho G, Bressani T, Morandi T, Freitas GTO, Duarte A, Perdigão C, Tröger F, Ayrimoraes S, de Melo MC, Laguardia F, Reis MTP, Mota C, Chernicharo CAL. Long-term monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in sewage samples from specific public places and STPs to track COVID-19 spread and identify potential hotspots. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 838:155959. [PMID: 35588823 DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.4055085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus pandemic started in March 2020 and since then has caused millions of deaths worldwide. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) can be used as an epidemiological surveillance tool to track SARS-CoV-2 dissemination and provide warning of COVID-19 outbreaks. Considering that there are public places that could be potential hotspots of infected people that may reflect the local epidemiological situation, the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was analyzed by RT-qPCR for approximately 16 months in sewage samples from five public places located in the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil: the sewage treatment plant of Confins International Airport (AIR), the main interstate bus terminal (BUS), an upscale shopping centre (SHC1), a popular shopping centre (SHC2) and a university institute (UNI). The results were compared to those of the influent sewage of the two main sewage treatment plants of Belo Horizonte (STP1 and STP2). Viral monitoring in the STPs proved to be an useful regional surveillance tool, reflecting the trends of COVID-19 cases. However, the viral concentrations in the samples from the selected public places were generally much lower than those of the municipal STPs, which may be due to the behaviour of the non-infected or asymptomatic people, who are likely to visit these places relatively more than the symptomatic infected ones. Among these places, the AIR samples presented the highest viral concentrations and concentration peaks were observed previously to local outbreaks. Therefore, airport sewage monitoring can provide an indication of the regional epidemiological situation. For the other places, particularly the UNI, the results suggested a greater potential to detect the infection and trace cases especially among employees and regular attendees. Taken together, the results indicate that for a regular and permanent sentinel sewage surveillance the sewage from STPs, AIR and UNI could be monitored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Calábria de Araújo
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil.
| | - Vera Tainá Mota
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Amanda Teodoro
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Cíntia Leal
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Deborah Leroy
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Camila Madeira
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Elayne C Machado
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Marcela F Dias
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Cassia C Souza
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Gabriela Coelho
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Thiago Bressani
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Thiago Morandi
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Gabriel Tadeu O Freitas
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Alyne Duarte
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | | | - Flávio Tröger
- National Agency for Water and Sanitation (ANA), Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - César Mota
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Carlos A L Chernicharo
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
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24
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de Araújo JC, Mota VT, Teodoro A, Leal C, Leroy D, Madeira C, Machado EC, Dias MF, Souza CC, Coelho G, Bressani T, Morandi T, Freitas GTO, Duarte A, Perdigão C, Tröger F, Ayrimoraes S, de Melo MC, Laguardia F, Reis MTP, Mota C, Chernicharo CAL. Long-term monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in sewage samples from specific public places and STPs to track COVID-19 spread and identify potential hotspots. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 838:155959. [PMID: 35588823 PMCID: PMC9110006 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus pandemic started in March 2020 and since then has caused millions of deaths worldwide. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) can be used as an epidemiological surveillance tool to track SARS-CoV-2 dissemination and provide warning of COVID-19 outbreaks. Considering that there are public places that could be potential hotspots of infected people that may reflect the local epidemiological situation, the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was analyzed by RT-qPCR for approximately 16 months in sewage samples from five public places located in the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil: the sewage treatment plant of Confins International Airport (AIR), the main interstate bus terminal (BUS), an upscale shopping centre (SHC1), a popular shopping centre (SHC2) and a university institute (UNI). The results were compared to those of the influent sewage of the two main sewage treatment plants of Belo Horizonte (STP1 and STP2). Viral monitoring in the STPs proved to be an useful regional surveillance tool, reflecting the trends of COVID-19 cases. However, the viral concentrations in the samples from the selected public places were generally much lower than those of the municipal STPs, which may be due to the behaviour of the non-infected or asymptomatic people, who are likely to visit these places relatively more than the symptomatic infected ones. Among these places, the AIR samples presented the highest viral concentrations and concentration peaks were observed previously to local outbreaks. Therefore, airport sewage monitoring can provide an indication of the regional epidemiological situation. For the other places, particularly the UNI, the results suggested a greater potential to detect the infection and trace cases especially among employees and regular attendees. Taken together, the results indicate that for a regular and permanent sentinel sewage surveillance the sewage from STPs, AIR and UNI could be monitored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Calábria de Araújo
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil.
| | - Vera Tainá Mota
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Amanda Teodoro
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Cíntia Leal
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Deborah Leroy
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Camila Madeira
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Elayne C Machado
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Marcela F Dias
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Cassia C Souza
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Gabriela Coelho
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Thiago Bressani
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Thiago Morandi
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Gabriel Tadeu O Freitas
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Alyne Duarte
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | | | - Flávio Tröger
- National Agency for Water and Sanitation (ANA), Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - César Mota
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Carlos A L Chernicharo
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
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25
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Li J, Ahmed W, Metcalfe S, Smith WJM, Tscharke B, Lynch P, Sherman P, Vo PHN, Kaserzon SL, Simpson SL, McCarthy DT, Thomas KV, Mueller JF, Thai P. Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 in sewersheds with low COVID-19 cases using a passive sampling technique. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 218:118481. [PMID: 35477063 PMCID: PMC9020515 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring SARS-CoV-2 RNA in sewer systems, upstream of a wastewater treatment plant, is an effective approach for understanding potential COVID-19 transmission in communities with higher spatial resolutions. Passive sampling devices provide a practical solution for frequent sampling within sewer networks where the use of autosamplers is not feasible. Currently, the design of upstream sampling is impeded by limited understanding of the fate of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in sewers and the sensitivity of passive samplers for the number of infected individuals in a catchment. In this study, passive samplers containing electronegative membranes were applied for at least 24-h continuous sampling in sewer systems. When monitoring SARS-CoV-2 along a trunk sewer pipe, we found RNA signals decreased proportionally to increasing dilutions, with non-detects occurring at the end of pipe. The passive sampling membranes were able to detect SARS-CoV-2 shed by >2 COVID-19 infection cases in 10,000 people. Moreover, upstream monitoring in multiple sewersheds using passive samplers identified the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater one week ahead of clinical reporting and reflected the spatiotemporal spread of a COVID-19 cluster within a city. This study provides important information to guide the development of wastewater surveillance strategies at catchment and subcatchment levels using different sampling techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaying Li
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4103, Australia.
| | - Warish Ahmed
- CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Suzanne Metcalfe
- CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Wendy J M Smith
- CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Ben Tscharke
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4103, Australia
| | - Peter Lynch
- Urban Utilities, 15 Green Square Close, Fortitude Valley, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Paul Sherman
- Urban Utilities, 15 Green Square Close, Fortitude Valley, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Phong H N Vo
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4103, Australia
| | - Sarit L Kaserzon
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4103, Australia
| | | | - David T McCarthy
- Department of Civil Engineering, Environmental and Public Health Microbiology Lab (EPHM Lab), Monash University, Victoria, Clayton 3800, Australia
| | - Kevin V Thomas
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4103, Australia
| | - Jochen F Mueller
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4103, Australia
| | - Phong Thai
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4103, Australia
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26
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Zhang D, Prigiobbe V. Measuring and modeling the influence of salinity change on the transport behaviour of Escherichia coli through quartz sand. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY 2022; 248:104016. [PMID: 35512510 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2022.104016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Pathogenic bacteria can be discharged in the environment through natural as well as anthropogenic activities. Once in the environment, they may contaminate soil and sediments and migrate towards water bodies. Transient chemical conditions may occur in soil/sediments and favor mobilization of bacteria, e.g., upon the reduction of salinity (or ionic strength). However, the magnitude of this phenomenon and its relationship with particle size is not well understood, yet. In this work, we investigated the transport of Escherichia coli under variable salinity conditions (between 1 and 20 part per thousand, ppt) and for different soil grain sizes (between 150 and 710 μm). A model developed in our group was applied in this work. It couples bacteria and salinity transport equations in order to account for transient water composition in the description of bacteria migration. The model was calibrated and validated with laboratory experiments. The tests were monitored continuously with UV-Vis spectroscopy, which allowed to record highly resolved concentration fronts. The results show that salinity increases the retardation of the bacteria. Upon salinity drop, a release of bacteria occurs forming a peak whose magnitude increases with salinity change. This effect becomes more important as the grain size decreases. Simulations suggest that the dominant retention mechanism is attachment for coarse sand and straining for fine sand. The retention can be reversed as the salinity is reduced causing a sudden bacteria mobilization. Such a behaviour may have important implications on microbial contamination of water bodies when soil/sediments undergo transient chemical conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Zhang
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Ocean Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Castle Point on Hudson, Hoboken, NJ 07030, United States; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, United States
| | - Valentina Prigiobbe
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Ocean Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Castle Point on Hudson, Hoboken, NJ 07030, United States.
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27
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Ahmed W, Bivins A, Smith WJM, Metcalfe S, Stephens M, Jennison AV, Moore FAJ, Bourke J, Schlebusch S, McMahon J, Hewitson G, Nguyen S, Barcelon J, Jackson G, Mueller JF, Ehret J, Hosegood I, Tian W, Wang H, Yang L, Bertsch PM, Tynan J, Thomas KV, Bibby K, Graber TE, Ziels R, Simpson SL. Detection of the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of SARS-CoV-2 in aircraft wastewater. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 820:153171. [PMID: 35051459 PMCID: PMC8762835 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
On the 26th of November 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated the newly detected B.1.1.529 lineage of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) the Omicron Variant of Concern (VOC). The genome of the Omicron VOC contains more than 50 mutations, many of which have been associated with increased transmissibility, differing disease severity, and potential to evade immune responses developed for previous VOCs such as Alpha and Delta. In the days since the designation of B.1.1.529 as a VOC, infections with the lineage have been reported in countries around the globe and many countries have implemented travel restrictions and increased border controls in response. We putatively detected the Omicron variant in an aircraft wastewater sample from a flight arriving to Darwin, Australia from Johannesburg, South Africa on the 25th of November 2021 via positive results on the CDC N1, CDC N2, and del(69-70) RT-qPCR assays per guidance from the WHO. The Australian Northern Territory Health Department detected one passenger onboard the flight who was infected with SARS-CoV-2, which was determined to be the Omicron VOC by sequencing of a nasopharyngeal swab sample. Subsequent sequencing of the aircraft wastewater sample using the ARTIC V3 protocol with Nanopore and ATOPlex confirmed the presence of the Omicron variant with a consensus genome that clustered with the B.1.1.529 BA.1 sub-lineage. Our detection and confirmation of a single onboard Omicron infection via aircraft wastewater further bolsters the important role that aircraft wastewater can play as an independent and unintrusive surveillance point for infectious diseases, particularly coronavirus disease 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warish Ahmed
- CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Qld 4102, Australia.
| | - Aaron Bivins
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Louisiana State University, 3255 Patrick F. Taylor Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Wendy J M Smith
- CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Qld 4102, Australia
| | - Suzanne Metcalfe
- CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Qld 4102, Australia
| | - Mikayla Stephens
- CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Qld 4102, Australia
| | - Amy V Jennison
- Public Health Microbiology and Virology, Queensland Public Health and Infectious Diseases Reference Genomics, Forensic and Scientific Services, Queensland Department of Health, Coopers Plains, QLD, Australia
| | - Frederick A J Moore
- Public Health Microbiology and Virology, Queensland Public Health and Infectious Diseases Reference Genomics, Forensic and Scientific Services, Queensland Department of Health, Coopers Plains, QLD, Australia
| | - Jayden Bourke
- CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Qld 4102, Australia
| | - Sanmarie Schlebusch
- Public Health Microbiology and Virology, Queensland Public Health and Infectious Diseases Reference Genomics, Forensic and Scientific Services, Queensland Department of Health, Coopers Plains, QLD, Australia
| | - Jamie McMahon
- Public Health Microbiology and Virology, Queensland Public Health and Infectious Diseases Reference Genomics, Forensic and Scientific Services, Queensland Department of Health, Coopers Plains, QLD, Australia
| | - Glen Hewitson
- Public Health Microbiology and Virology, Queensland Public Health and Infectious Diseases Reference Genomics, Forensic and Scientific Services, Queensland Department of Health, Coopers Plains, QLD, Australia
| | - Son Nguyen
- Public Health Microbiology and Virology, Queensland Public Health and Infectious Diseases Reference Genomics, Forensic and Scientific Services, Queensland Department of Health, Coopers Plains, QLD, Australia
| | - Jean Barcelon
- Public Health Microbiology and Virology, Queensland Public Health and Infectious Diseases Reference Genomics, Forensic and Scientific Services, Queensland Department of Health, Coopers Plains, QLD, Australia
| | - Greg Jackson
- Water Unit, Health Protection Branch, Prevention Division, Queensland Health, QLD, Australia
| | - Jochen F Mueller
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4103, Australia
| | - John Ehret
- Qantas Airways Limited, 10 Bourke Rd Mascot, 2020, NSW, Australia
| | - Ian Hosegood
- Qantas Airways Limited, 10 Bourke Rd Mascot, 2020, NSW, Australia
| | - Wei Tian
- MGI Australia Pty Ltd, 300 Herston Road, Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Haofei Wang
- MGI Australia Pty Ltd, 300 Herston Road, Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Lin Yang
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; MGI, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Paul M Bertsch
- CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Qld 4102, Australia
| | - Josh Tynan
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4103, Australia
| | - Kevin V Thomas
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4103, Australia
| | - Kyle Bibby
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Tyson E Graber
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa K1H 8L1, Canada
| | - Ryan Ziels
- Department of Civil Engineering, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, Canada
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28
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Yang S, Dong Q, Li S, Cheng Z, Kang X, Ren D, Xu C, Zhou X, Liang P, Sun L, Zhao J, Jiao Y, Han T, Liu Y, Qian Y, Liu Y, Huang X, Qu J. Persistence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater after the end of the COVID-19 epidemics. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 429:128358. [PMID: 35123131 PMCID: PMC8800135 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Although the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been widely detected in wastewater in many countries to track the COVID-19 pandemic development, it is still a lack of clear understanding of the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 in raw sewage, especially after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic event. To fill this knowledge gap, this study conducted a field trial on the SARS-CoV-2 presence in various wastewater facilities after the end of the COVID-19 epidemics in Beijing. The result showed that the wastewater treatment facility is a large SARS-CoV-2 repository. The viral RNA was still present in hospital sewage for 15 days and was continually detected in municipal WWTPs for more than 19 days after the end of the local COVID-19 epidemics. The T90 values of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA in raw wastewater were 17.17-8.42 days in the wastewater at 4 ℃ and 26 ℃, respectively, meaning that the decay rates of low titer viruses in raw sewage were much faster. The results confirmed that the SARS-CoV-2 RNA could persist in wastewater for more than two weeks, especially at lower temperatures. The sewage systems would be a virus repository and prolong the presence of the residual SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The study could enhance further understanding of the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in raw wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaolin Yang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, PR China
| | - Qian Dong
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, PR China
| | - Siqi Li
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, PR China
| | - Zhao Cheng
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, PR China
| | - Xiaofeng Kang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, PR China
| | - Daheng Ren
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, PR China
| | - Chenyang Xu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, PR China
| | - Xiaohong Zhou
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, PR China
| | - Peng Liang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, PR China
| | - Lingli Sun
- Beijing Chaoyang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, PR China
| | - Jianhong Zhao
- Beijing Chaoyang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, PR China
| | - Yang Jiao
- Beijing Chaoyang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, PR China
| | - Taoli Han
- Beijing Chaoyang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, PR China
| | - Yanchen Liu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, PR China.
| | - Yi Qian
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, PR China
| | - Yi Liu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, PR China
| | - Xia Huang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, PR China.
| | - Jiuhui Qu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, PR China; Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, PR China
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29
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Ahmed W, Bivins A, Metcalfe S, Smith WJM, Verbyla ME, Symonds EM, Simpson SL. Evaluation of process limit of detection and quantification variation of SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR and RT-dPCR assays for wastewater surveillance. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 213:118132. [PMID: 35152136 PMCID: PMC8812148 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Effective wastewater surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 RNA requires the rigorous characterization of the limit of detection resulting from the entire sampling process - the process limit of detection (PLOD). Yet to date, no studies have gone beyond quantifying the assay limit of detection (ALOD) for RT-qPCR or RT-dPCR assays. While the ALOD is the lowest number of gene copies (GC) associated with a 95% probability of detection in a single PCR reaction, the PLOD represents the sensitivity of the method after considering the efficiency of all processing steps (e.g., sample handling, concentration, nucleic acid extraction, and PCR assays) to determine the number of GC in the wastewater sample matrix with a specific probability of detection. The primary objective of this study was to estimate the PLOD resulting from the combination of primary concentration and extraction with six SARS-CoV-2 assays: five RT-qPCR assays (US CDC N1 and N2, China CDC N and ORF1ab (CCDC N and CCDC ORF1ab), and E_Sarbeco RT-qPCR, and one RT-dPCR assay (US CDC N1 RT-dPCR) using two models (exponential survival and cumulative Gaussian). An adsorption extraction (AE) concentration method (i.e., virus adsorption on membrane and the RNA extraction from the membrane) was used to concentrate gamma-irradiated SARS-CoV-2 seeded into 36 wastewater samples. Overall, the US CDC N1 RT-dPCR and RT-qPCR assays had the lowest ALODs (< 10 GC/reaction) and PLODs (<3,954 GC/50 mL; 95% probability of detection) regardless of the seeding level and model used. Nevertheless, consistent amplification and detection rates decreased when seeding levels were < 2.32 × 103 GC/50 mL even for US CDC N1 RT-qPCR and RT-dPCR assays. Consequently, when SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations are expected to be low, it may be necessary to improve the positive detection rates of wastewater surveillance by analyzing additional field and RT-PCR replicates. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to assess the SARS-CoV-2 PLOD for wastewater and provides important insights on the analytical limitations for trace detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warish Ahmed
- CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia.
| | - Aaron Bivins
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering & Earth Science, University of Notre Dame, 156 Fitzpatrick Hall, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Suzanne Metcalfe
- CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Wendy J M Smith
- CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Matthew E Verbyla
- Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Erin M Symonds
- Department of Anthropology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, USA
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30
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Espinosa MF, Verbyla ME, Vassalle L, Leal C, Leroy-Freitas D, Machado E, Fernandes L, Rosa-Machado AT, Calábria J, Chernicharo C, Mota Filho CR. Reduction and liquid-solid partitioning of SARS-CoV-2 and adenovirus throughout the different stages of a pilot-scale wastewater treatment plant. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 212:118069. [PMID: 35077942 PMCID: PMC8759026 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Investigating waterborne viruses is of great importance to minimizing risks to public health. Viruses tend to adsorb to sludge particles from wastewater processes by electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions between virus, aquatic matrix, and particle surface. Sludge is often re-used in agriculture; therefore, its evaluation is also of great interest to public health. In the present study, a pilot scale system treating real domestic wastewater from a large city in Brazil was used to evaluate the removal, the overall reduction, and liquid-solid partitioning of human adenovirus (HAdV), the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and fecal indicators (F-specific coliphages and E. coli). The system consists of a high-rate algal pond (HRAP) post-treating the effluent of an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor. Samples were collected from the influent and effluent of each unit, as well as from the sludge of the UASB and from the microalgae biomass in the HRAP. Pathogens and indicators were quantified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) (for HAdV), qPCR with reverse transcription (RTqPCR) (for SARS-CoV-2), the double agar plaque assay (for coliphages), and the most probable number (MPN) method (for E. coli). The removal and overall reduction of HAdV and SARS-CoV-2 was greater than 1-log10. Almost 60% of remaining SARS-CoV-2 RNA and more than 70% of remaining HAdV DNA left the system in the sludge, demonstrating that both viruses may have affinity for solids. Coliphages showed a much lower affinity to solids, with only 3.7% leaving the system in the sludge. The system performed well in terms of the removal of organic matter and ammoniacal nitrogen, however tertiary treatment would be necessary to provide further pathogen reduction, if the effluent is to be reused in agriculture. To our knowledge, this is the first study that evaluated the reduction and partitioning of SARS-CoV-2 and HAdV through the complete cycle of a wastewater treatment system consisting of a UASB reactor followed by HRAPs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lucas Vassalle
- Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Cintia Leal
- Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
| | | | - Elayne Machado
- Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Luyara Fernandes
- Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
| | | | - Juliana Calábria
- Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Carlos Chernicharo
- Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
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31
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Wang H, Knabe D, Engelhardt I, Droste B, Rohns HP, Stumpp C, Ho J, Griebler C. Dynamics of pathogens and fecal indicators during riverbank filtration in times of high and low river levels. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 209:117961. [PMID: 34923443 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Riverbank filtration is an established and quantitatively important approach to mine high-quality raw water for drinking water production. Bacterial fecal indicators are routinely used to monitor hygienic raw water quality, however, their applicability in viral contamination has been questioned repeatedly. Additionally, there are concerns that the increasing frequency and intensity of meteorological and hydrological events, i.e., heavy precipitation and droughts leading to high and low river levels, may impair riverbank filtration performance. In this study, we explored the removal of adenovirus compared with several commonly used bacterial and viral water quality indicators during different river levels. In a seasonal study, water from the Rhine River, a series of groundwater monitoring wells, and a production well were regularly collected and analyzed for adenovirus, coliphages, E. coli, C. perfringens, coliform bacteria, the total number of prokaryotic cells (TCC), and the number of virus-like particles (TVPC) using molecular and cultivation-based assays. Additionally, basic physico-chemical parameters, including temperature, pH, dissolved organic carbon, and nutrients, were measured. The highest log10 reduction during the >72 m of riverbank filtration from the river channel to the production well was observed for coliforms (>3.7 log10), followed by E. coli (>3.4 log10), somatic coliphages (>3.1 log10), C. perfringens (>2.5 log10), and F+ coliphages (>2.1 log10) at high river levels. Adenovirus decreased by 1.6-3.1 log units in the first monitoring well (>32 m) and was not detected in further distant wells. The highest removal efficiency of adenovirus and most other viral and bacterial fecal indicators was achieved during high river levels, which were characterized by increased numbers of pathogens and indicators. During low river levels, coliforms and C. perfringens were occasionally present in raw water at the production well. Adenovirus, quantified via droplet digital PCR, correlated with E. coli, somatic coliphages, TCC, TVPC, pH, and DOC at high river levels. At low river levels, adenoviruses correlated with coliforms, TVPC, pH, and water travel time. We conclude that although standard fecal indicators are insufficient for assessing hygienic raw water quality, a combination of E. coli, coliforms and somatic coliphages can assess riverbank filtration performance in adenovirus removal. Furthermore, effects of extreme hydrological events should be studied on an event-to-event basis at high spatial and temporal resolutions. Finally, there is an urgent need for a lower limit of detection for pathogenic viruses in natural waters. Preconcentration of viral particles from larger water volumes (>100 L) constitutes a promising strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Wang
- University of Vienna, Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, Division of Limnology, Djerassiplatz 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Dustin Knabe
- Technische Universität Berlin, Institute for Applied Geosciences, Chair for Hydrogeology, Ernst-Reuter-Platz 1, 10587 Berlin, Germany
| | - Irina Engelhardt
- Technische Universität Berlin, Institute for Applied Geosciences, Chair for Hydrogeology, Ernst-Reuter-Platz 1, 10587 Berlin, Germany
| | - Björn Droste
- Waterwork Düsseldorf, Himmelgeister Strasse 325, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Hans-Peter Rohns
- Waterwork Düsseldorf, Himmelgeister Strasse 325, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Christine Stumpp
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Institute for Soil Physics and Rural Water Management, Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Johannes Ho
- DVGW-Technologiezentrum Wasser (TZW), Karlsruher Straße 84, D-76139 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Christian Griebler
- University of Vienna, Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, Division of Limnology, Djerassiplatz 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria.
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32
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Ahmed W, Bivins A, Simpson SL, Bertsch PM, Ehret J, Hosegood I, Metcalfe SS, Smith WJM, Thomas KV, Tynan J, Mueller JF. Wastewater surveillance demonstrates high predictive value for COVID-19 infection on board repatriation flights to Australia. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 158:106938. [PMID: 34735954 PMCID: PMC8514683 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Controlling importation and transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from overseas travelers is essential for countries, such as Australia, New Zealand, and other island nations, that have adopted a suppression strategy to manage very low community transmission. Wastewater surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 RNA has emerged as a promising tool employed in public health response in many countries globally. This study aimed to establish whether the surveillance of aircraft wastewater can be used to provide an additional layer of information to augment individual clinical testing. Wastewater from 37 long-haul flights chartered to repatriate Australians was tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Children 5 years or older on these flights tested negative for coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) (deep nasal and oropharyngeal reverse-transcription (RT)-PCR swab) 48 h before departure. All passengers underwent mandatory quarantine for 14-day post arrival in Howard Springs, NT, Australia. Wastewater from 24 (64.9 %) of the 37 flights tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. During the 14 day mandatory quarantine, clinical testing identified 112 cases of COVID-19. Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 RNA in repatriation flight wastewater using pooled results from three RT-qPCR assays demonstrated a positive predictive value (PPV) of 87.5 %, a negative predictive value (NPV) of 76.9 % and 83.7% accuracy for COVID-19 cases during the post-arrival 14-day quarantine period. The study successfully demonstrates that the surveillance of wastewater from aircraft for SARS-CoV-2 can provide an additional and effective tool for informing the management of returning overseas travelers and for monitoring the importation of SARS CoV-2 and other clinically significant pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warish Ahmed
- CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia.
| | - Aaron Bivins
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering & Earth Science, University of Notre Dame, 156 Fitzpatrick Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | | | - Paul M Bertsch
- CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - John Ehret
- Qantas Airways Limited, 10 Bourke Rd Mascot, 2020, NSW, Australia
| | - Ian Hosegood
- Qantas Airways Limited, 10 Bourke Rd Mascot, 2020, NSW, Australia
| | - Suzanne S Metcalfe
- CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Wendy J M Smith
- CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Kevin V Thomas
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4103, Australia
| | - Josh Tynan
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4103, Australia
| | - Jochen F Mueller
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4103, Australia
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33
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Miller JD, Workman CL, Panchang SV, Sneegas G, Adams EA, Young SL, Thompson AL. Water Security and Nutrition: Current Knowledge and Research Opportunities. Adv Nutr 2021; 12:2525-2539. [PMID: 34265039 PMCID: PMC8634318 DOI: 10.1093/advances/nmab075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Water is an essential nutrient that has primarily been considered in terms of its physiological necessity. But reliable access to water in sufficient quantities and quality is also critical for many nutrition-related behaviors and activities, including growing and cooking diverse foods. Given growing challenges to water availability and safety, including climate change, pollution, and infrastructure degradation, a broader conceptualization of water and its diverse uses is needed to sustainably achieve global nutrition targets. Therefore, we review empirical and qualitative evidence describing the linkages between water security (the reliable availability, accessibility, and quality of water for all household uses) and nutrition. Primary linkages include water security for drinking, food production and preparation, infant and young child feeding, and limiting exposure to pathogens and environmental toxins. We then identify knowledge gaps within each linkage and propose a research agenda for studying water security and nutrition going forward, including the concurrent quantification of both food and water availability, accessibility, use, and stability. By making explicit the connections between water security and nutritional well-being, we aim to promote greater collaboration between the nutrition and water, sanitation, and hygiene sectors. Interdisciplinary policies and programs that holistically address the water-nutrition nexus, versus those that focus on water and nutrition independently, are likely to significantly advance our ability to ensure equitable access to healthy foods and safe water for all.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua D Miller
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Cassandra L Workman
- Department of Anthropology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA
| | - Sarita V Panchang
- Social Research and Evaluation Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Gretchen Sneegas
- Department of Geography, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Ellis A Adams
- Keough School of Global Affairs, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Sera L Young
- Department of Anthropology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Amanda L Thompson
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Anthropology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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34
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Wang M, Wang L, Shi H, Liu Y, Chen S. Soil bacteria, genes, and metabolites stimulated during sulfur cycling and cadmium mobilization under sodium sulfate stress. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 201:111599. [PMID: 34214562 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Sodium sulfate stress is known to improve cadmium (Cd) mobilization in soil and microbial sulfur oxidation, Cd resistance, and the accumulation of stress tolerance-associated metabolites has been correlated with increased soil Cd availability and toxicity. In this study, aerobic soil microcosms with Cd-contamination were stimulated with sodium sulfate to investigate its effects on soil microbial community structure, functional genes, and associated metabolite profiles. Metagenomic analysis revealed that sulfur oxidizing and Cd-resistant bacteria carried gene clusters encoding sox, dsr, and sqr genes, and znt, czc, and cad genes, respectively. Exposure to sodium sulfate resulted in the reprogram of soil metabolites. In particular, intensification of sulfur metabolism triggered an up-regulation in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, which promoted the secretion of carboxylic acids and their precursors by soil bacteria. The accumulation of organic acids induced in response to high sodium sulfate dosages potentially drove an observed increase in Cd mobility. Pseudomonas and Erythrobacter spp. exhibited a high capacity for adaptation to heavy metal- or sulfur-induced stress, evident by an increased abundance of genes and metabolites for sulfur cycling and Cd resistance. These results provide valuable insights towards understanding the microbial mechanisms of sulfur transformation and Cd dissolution under saline stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Wang
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, PR China
| | - Lifu Wang
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, PR China
| | - Huading Shi
- Technical Centre for Soil, Agriculture and Rural Ecology and Environment, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Beijing, 100012, PR China.
| | - Yongbing Liu
- National Research Center for Geoanalysis, Beijing, 100037, PR China
| | - Shibao Chen
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, PR China.
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35
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Mota CR, Bressani-Ribeiro T, Araújo JC, Leal CD, Leroy-Freitas D, Machado EC, Espinosa MF, Fernandes L, Leão TL, Chamhum-Silva L, Azevedo L, Morandi T, Freitas GTO, Costa MS, Carvalho BO, Reis MTP, Melo MC, Ayrimoraes SR, Chernicharo CAL. Assessing spatial distribution of COVID-19 prevalence in Brazil using decentralised sewage monitoring. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 202:117388. [PMID: 34229195 PMCID: PMC8666095 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Brazil has become one of the epicentres of the COVID-19 pandemic, with cases heavily concentrated in large cities. Testing data is extremely limited and unreliable, which restricts health authorities' ability to deal with the pandemic. Given the stark demographic, social and economic heterogeneities within Brazilian cities, it is important to identify hotspots so that the limited resources available can have the greatest impact. This study shows that decentralised monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in sewage can be used to assess the distribution of COVID-19 prevalence in the city. The methodology developed in this study allowed the identification of hotspots by comprehensively monitoring sewers distributed through Belo Horizonte, Brazil's third largest city. Our results show that the most vulnerable neighbourhoods in the city were the hardest hit by the pandemic, indicating that, for many Brazilians, the situation is much worse than reported by official figures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesar R Mota
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG). Departamento de Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental, Escola de Engenharia, Av. Antonio Carlos, 6.627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
| | - Thiago Bressani-Ribeiro
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG). Departamento de Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental, Escola de Engenharia, Av. Antonio Carlos, 6.627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Juliana C Araújo
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG). Departamento de Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental, Escola de Engenharia, Av. Antonio Carlos, 6.627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Cíntia D Leal
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG). Departamento de Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental, Escola de Engenharia, Av. Antonio Carlos, 6.627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Deborah Leroy-Freitas
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG). Departamento de Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental, Escola de Engenharia, Av. Antonio Carlos, 6.627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Elayne C Machado
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG). Departamento de Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental, Escola de Engenharia, Av. Antonio Carlos, 6.627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Maria Fernanda Espinosa
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG). Departamento de Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental, Escola de Engenharia, Av. Antonio Carlos, 6.627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Luyara Fernandes
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG). Departamento de Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental, Escola de Engenharia, Av. Antonio Carlos, 6.627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Thiago L Leão
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG). Departamento de Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental, Escola de Engenharia, Av. Antonio Carlos, 6.627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Centro Federal para Educação Tecnológica de Minas Gerais (CEFET-MG), Brazil
| | - Lucas Chamhum-Silva
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG). Departamento de Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental, Escola de Engenharia, Av. Antonio Carlos, 6.627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Lariza Azevedo
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG). Departamento de Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental, Escola de Engenharia, Av. Antonio Carlos, 6.627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Thiago Morandi
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG). Departamento de Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental, Escola de Engenharia, Av. Antonio Carlos, 6.627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Tadeu O Freitas
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG). Departamento de Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental, Escola de Engenharia, Av. Antonio Carlos, 6.627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Marília C Melo
- Minas Gerais Institute for Water Management (IGAM), Brazil
| | | | - Carlos A L Chernicharo
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG). Departamento de Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental, Escola de Engenharia, Av. Antonio Carlos, 6.627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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36
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Zhiteneva V, Carvajal G, Shehata O, Hübner U, Drewes JE. Quantitative microbial risk assessment of a non-membrane based indirect potable water reuse system using Bayesian networks. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 780:146462. [PMID: 33774303 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146462] [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: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Risk-based approaches are used to define performance standards for water and wastewater treatment to meet health-based targets and to ensure safe and reliable water quality for desired end use. In this study, a screening level QMRA for a non-membrane based indirect potable reuse (IPR) system utilizing the sequential managed aquifer recharge technology (SMART) concept was conducted. Ambient removals of norovirus, Campylobacter and Cryptosporidium in advanced water treatment (AWT) steps were combined in a probabilistic QMRA utilizing Bayesian networks constructed in Netica. Results revealed that all pathogens complied with disease burden at the 95th percentile, and according to the assumptions taken about pathogen removal, Cryptosporidium was the pathogen with the greatest risk. Through systematic sensitivity analysis, targeted scenario analysis, and backwards inferencing, critical control points for each pathogen were determined, demonstrating the usefulness of Bayesian networks as a diagnostic tool in quantifying risk of water reuse treatment scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Zhiteneva
- Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Am Coulombwall 3, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Guido Carvajal
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Andrés Bello, Antonio Varas 880, Providencia, Santiago, Chile
| | - Omar Shehata
- Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Am Coulombwall 3, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Uwe Hübner
- Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Am Coulombwall 3, 85748 Garching, Germany.
| | - Jörg E Drewes
- Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Am Coulombwall 3, 85748 Garching, Germany
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37
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Ahmed W, Gyawali P, Hamilton KA, Joshi S, Aster D, Donner E, Simpson SL, Symonds EM. Antibiotic Resistance and Sewage-Associated Marker Genes in Untreated Sewage and a River Characterized During Baseflow and Stormflow. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:632850. [PMID: 34177821 PMCID: PMC8226142 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.632850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Since sewage is a hotspot for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), the identification of ARGs in environmental waters impacted by sewage, and their correlation to fecal indicators, is necessary to implement management strategies. In this study, sewage treatment plant (STP) influent samples were collected and analyzed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to investigate the abundance and correlations between sewage-associated markers (i.e., Bacteroides HF183, Lachnospiraceae Lachno3, crAssphage) and ARGs indicating resistance to nine antibiotics (belonging to aminoglycosides, beta-lactams, sulfonamides, macrolides, and tetracyclines). All ARGs, except blaVIM, and sewage-associated marker genes were always detected in untreated sewage, and ermF and sul1 were detected in the greatest abundances. intl1 was also highly abundant in untreated sewage samples. Significant correlations were identified between sewage-associated marker genes, ARGs and the intl1 in untreated sewage (τ = 0.488, p = 0.0125). Of the three sewage-associated marker genes, the BIO-ENV procedure identified that HF183 alone best maximized correlations to ARGs and intl1 (τ = 0.590). Additionally, grab samples were collected from peri-urban and urban sites along the Brisbane River system during base and stormflow conditions, and analyzed for Escherichia coli, ARGs, the intl1, and sewage-associated marker genes using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Significant correlations were identified between E. coli, ARGs, and intl1 (τ = 0.0893, p = 0.0032), as well as with sewage-associated marker genes in water samples from the Brisbane River system (τ = 0.3229, p = 0.0001). Of the sewage-associated marker genes and E. coli, the BIO-ENV procedure identified that crAssphage alone maximized correlations with ARGs and intl1 in river samples (τ = 0.4148). Significant differences in E. coli, ARGs, intl1, and sewage-associated marker genes, and by flow condition (i.e., base vs. storm), and site types (peri-urban vs. urban) combined were identified (R = 0.3668, p = 0.0001), where percent dissimilarities between the multi-factorial groups ranged between 20.8 and 11.2%. Results from this study suggest increased levels of certain ARGs and sewage-associated marker genes in stormflow river water samples compared to base flow conditions. E. coli, HF183 and crAssphage may serve as potential indicators of sewage-derived ARGs under stormflow conditions, and this merits further investigation. Data presented in this study will be valuable to water quality managers to understand the links between sewage pollution and ARGs in urban environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warish Ahmed
- CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, QLD, Australia
| | - Pradip Gyawali
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd. (ESR), Porirua, New Zealand
| | - Kerry A Hamilton
- School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States.,Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Sayalee Joshi
- School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States.,Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - David Aster
- Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, QLD, Australia
| | - Erica Donner
- Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, University Boulevard, Mawson Lakes, SA, Australia
| | | | - Erin M Symonds
- College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
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38
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Cossio C, Perez-Mercado LF, Norrman J, Dalahmeh S, Vinnerås B, Mercado A, McConville J. Impact of treatment plant management on human health and ecological risks from wastewater irrigation in developing countries - case studies from Cochabamba, Bolivia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2021; 31:355-373. [PMID: 31475566 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2019.1657075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater irrigation is a common practice in developing countries due to water scarcity and increasing demand for food production. However, there are health risks and ecological risks associated with this practice. Small-scale wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) intend to decrease these risks but still face management challenges. This study assessed how the management status of five small-scale WWTPs in Cochabamba, Bolivia affects health risks associated with consumption of lettuce and ecological risks due to the accumulation of nutrients in the soil for lettuce and maize crops. Risk simulations for three wastewater irrigation scenarios were: raw wastewater, actual effluent and expected effluent. Results showed that weak O&M practices can increase risk outcomes to higher levels than irrigating with raw wastewater. Improving O&M to achieve optimal functioning of small-scale WWTPs can reduce human health risks and ecological risks up to 2 log10 DALY person-1 year-1 and to 2 log10 kg nitrogen ha-1 accumulated in soil, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Cossio
- Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, Sweden
- Centro de Aguas y Saneamiento Ambiental, Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Luis Fernando Perez-Mercado
- Centro de Aguas y Saneamiento Ambiental, Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jenny Norrman
- Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Sahar Dalahmeh
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Björn Vinnerås
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Alvaro Mercado
- Centro de Aguas y Saneamiento Ambiental, Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Jennifer McConville
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
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39
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Workman CL, Cairns MR, de los Reyes FL, Verbyla ME. Global Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Approaches: Anthropological Contributions and Future Directions for Engineering. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE 2021; 38:402-417. [PMID: 34079211 PMCID: PMC8165478 DOI: 10.1089/ees.2020.0321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Anthropologists contribute key insights toward a comprehensive understanding of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) as a multidimensional, multiscalar, and culturally embedded phenomenon. Yet, these insights have yet to be sufficiently operationalized and implemented in WASH development and wider WASH access-related paradigms. Ensuring WASH security requires a comprehensive approach to identifying both human health risk and environmental impact of WASH-related programs and strategies. It requires an understanding of how sanitation is integrated into households and communities and how individuals within particular cultural contexts practice sanitation and hygiene. This work facilitates that goal by outlining the major contributions of anthropology and allied social sciences to WASH, as well as outlining key considerations for future work and collaboration. We identify six major themes that, if applied in future engineering approaches, will more equitably integrate stakeholders and multiple vantage points in the successful implementation of WASH projects for marginalized and diverse groups. These include a critical understanding of previous approaches, culturally aware interventions, capacity building that considers (un)intended impact, co-created technology, collaboration between fields such as anthropology and engineering, and challenge-ready initiatives that respond to historic and emergent social and environmental inequity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra L. Workman
- Department of Anthropology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
| | - Maryann R. Cairns
- Department of Anthropology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Francis L. de los Reyes
- Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Matthew E. Verbyla
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
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40
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Verbyla ME, Calderon JS, Flanigan S, Garcia M, Gersberg R, Kinoshita AM, Mladenov N, Pinongcos F, Welsh M. An Assessment of Ambient Water Quality and Challenges with Access to Water and Sanitation Services for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness in Riverine Encampments. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE 2021; 38:389-401. [PMID: 34079210 PMCID: PMC8165467 DOI: 10.1089/ees.2020.0319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness face significant barriers to accessing water, sanitation, and hygiene services, but the risks associated with this lack of access and barriers to service provision have been largely understudied. We analyzed water samples upstream and downstream of three homeless encampments in the San Diego River watershed and interviewed service providers from public and nonprofit sectors to assess local perceptions about challenges and potential solutions for water and sanitation service provision in this context. Water upstream from encampments contained detectable levels of caffeine and sucralose. Escherichia coli concentrations downstream of the encampments were significantly greater than concentrations upstream, but there was no significant change in the concentrations of other pollutants, including caffeine and sucralose. The HF183 marker of Bacteroides was only detected in one sample upstream of an encampment and was not detected downstream. Overall, there was insufficient evidence to suggest that the encampments studied here were responsible for contributing pollution to the river. Nevertheless, the presence of caffeine, sucralose, and HF183 indicated that there are anthropogenic sources of contamination in the river during dry weather and potential risks associated with the use of this water by encampment residents. Interviews with service providers revealed perceptions that the provision of water and sanitation services for this population would be prohibitively expensive. Interviewees also reported perceptions that most riverbank residents avoided contact with service providers, which may present challenges for the provision of water and sanitation service unless trust is first built between service providers and residents of riverine encampments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew E. Verbyla
- Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
- Corresponding author: Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, MC-1324, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA. Phone: 619-594-0711; Fax: 619 594 8078;
| | - Jose S. Calderon
- Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Shawn Flanigan
- School of Public Affairs, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Mireille Garcia
- Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Rick Gersberg
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Alicia M. Kinoshita
- Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Natalie Mladenov
- Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Federick Pinongcos
- Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Megan Welsh
- School of Public Affairs, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
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41
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Byrne DM, Hamilton KA, Houser SA, Mubasira M, Katende D, Lohman HAC, Trimmer JT, Banadda N, Zerai A, Guest JS. Navigating Data Uncertainty and Modeling Assumptions in Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment in an Informal Settlement in Kampala, Uganda. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:5463-5474. [PMID: 33750111 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c05693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Decision-makers in developing communities often lack credible data to inform decisions related to water, sanitation, and hygiene. Quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA), which quantifies pathogen-related health risks across exposure routes, can be informative; however, the utility of QMRA for decision-making is often undermined by data gaps. This work integrates QMRA, uncertainty and sensitivity analyses, and household surveys in Bwaise, Kampala (Uganda) to characterize the implications of censored data management, identify sources of uncertainty, and incorporate risk perceptions to improve the suitability of QMRA for informal settlements or similar settings. In Bwaise, drinking water, hand rinse, and soil samples were collected from 45 households and supplemented with data from 844 surveys. Quantified pathogen (adenovirus, Campylobacter jejuni, and Shigella spp./EIEC) concentrations were used with QMRA to model infection risks from exposure through drinking water, hand-to-mouth contact, and soil ingestion. Health risks were most sensitive to pathogen data, hand-to-mouth contact frequency, and dose-response models (particularly C. jejuni). When managing censored data, results from upper limits of detection, half of limits of detection, and uniform distributions returned similar results, which deviated from lower limits of detection and maximum likelihood estimation imputation approaches. Finally, risk perceptions (e.g., it is unsafe to drink directly from a water source) were identified to inform risk management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana M Byrne
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 205 North Mathews Avenue, 3221 Newmark Civil Engineering Laboratory, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Kerry A Hamilton
- The School with Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment and The Biodesign Institute Center for Environmental Health Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Stephanie A Houser
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 205 North Mathews Avenue, 3221 Newmark Civil Engineering Laboratory, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Muwonge Mubasira
- Community Integrated Development Initiatives, P.O. Box 764, Kampala, Uganda
| | - David Katende
- Community Integrated Development Initiatives, P.O. Box 764, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Hannah A C Lohman
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 205 North Mathews Avenue, 3221 Newmark Civil Engineering Laboratory, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - John T Trimmer
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 205 North Mathews Avenue, 3221 Newmark Civil Engineering Laboratory, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Noble Banadda
- Department of Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Assata Zerai
- Department of Sociology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Jeremy S Guest
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 205 North Mathews Avenue, 3221 Newmark Civil Engineering Laboratory, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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42
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Ahmed W, Tscharke B, Bertsch PM, Bibby K, Bivins A, Choi P, Clarke L, Dwyer J, Edson J, Nguyen TMH, O'Brien JW, Simpson SL, Sherman P, Thomas KV, Verhagen R, Zaugg J, Mueller JF. SARS-CoV-2 RNA monitoring in wastewater as a potential early warning system for COVID-19 transmission in the community: A temporal case study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 761:144216. [PMID: 33360129 PMCID: PMC7718102 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 56.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus which causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19), has spread rapidly across the globe infecting millions of people and causing significant health and economic impacts. Authorities are exploring complimentary approaches to monitor this infectious disease at the community level. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) approaches to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA in municipal wastewater are being implemented worldwide as an environmental surveillance approach to inform health authority decision-making. Owing to the extended excretion of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in stool, WBE can surveil large populated areas with a longer detection window providing unique information on the presence of pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic cases that are unlikely to be screened by clinical testing. Herein, we analysed SARS-CoV-2 RNA in 24-h composite wastewater samples (n = 63) from three wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia from 24th of February to 1st of May 2020. A total of 21 samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2, ranging from 135 to 11,992 gene copies (GC)/100 mL of wastewater. Detections were made in a Southern Brisbane WWTP in late February 2020, up to three weeks before the first clininal case was reported there. Wastewater samples were generally positive during the period with highest caseload data. The positive SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection in wastewater while there were limited clinical reported cases demonstrates the potential of WBE as an early warning system to identify hotspots and target localised public health responses, such as increased individual testing and the provision of health warnings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warish Ahmed
- CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Qld 4102, Australia.
| | - Ben Tscharke
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4103, Australia
| | - Paul M Bertsch
- CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Qld 4102, Australia
| | - Kyle Bibby
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering & Earth Science, University of Notre Dame, 156 Fitzpatrick Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Aaron Bivins
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering & Earth Science, University of Notre Dame, 156 Fitzpatrick Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Phil Choi
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4103, Australia
| | - Leah Clarke
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4103, Australia
| | - Jason Dwyer
- Urban Utilities, 15 Green Square Close, Fortitude Valley, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Janette Edson
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Thi Minh Hong Nguyen
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4103, Australia
| | - Jake W O'Brien
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4103, Australia
| | | | - Paul Sherman
- Urban Utilities, 15 Green Square Close, Fortitude Valley, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Kevin V Thomas
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4103, Australia
| | - Rory Verhagen
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4103, Australia
| | - Julian Zaugg
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Jochen F Mueller
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4103, Australia
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Ahmed W, Bertsch PM, Bibby K, Haramoto E, Hewitt J, Huygens F, Gyawali P, Korajkic A, Riddell S, Sherchan SP, Simpson SL, Sirikanchana K, Symonds EM, Verhagen R, Vasan SS, Kitajima M, Bivins A. Decay of SARS-CoV-2 and surrogate murine hepatitis virus RNA in untreated wastewater to inform application in wastewater-based epidemiology. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 191:110092. [PMID: 32861728 PMCID: PMC7451058 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 229] [Impact Index Per Article: 57.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2020] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) demonstrates potential for COVID-19 community transmission monitoring; however, data on the stability of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater are needed to interpret WBE results. The decay rates of RNA from SARS-CoV-2 and a potential surrogate, murine hepatitis virus (MHV), were investigated by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in untreated wastewater, autoclaved wastewater, and dechlorinated tap water stored at 4, 15, 25, and 37 °C. Temperature, followed by matrix type, most greatly influenced SARS-CoV-2 RNA first-order decay rates (k). The average T90 (time required for 1-log10 reduction) of SARS-CoV-2 RNA ranged from 8.04 to 27.8 days in untreated wastewater, 5.71 to 43.2 days in autoclaved wastewater, and 9.40 to 58.6 days in tap water. The average T90 for RNA of MHV at 4 to 37 °C ranged from 7.44 to 56.6 days in untreated wastewater, 5.58-43.1 days in autoclaved wastewater, and 10.9 to 43.9 days in tap water. There was no statistically significant difference between RNA decay of SARS-CoV-2 and MHV; thus, MHV is suggested as a suitable persistence surrogate. Decay rate constants for all temperatures were comparable across all matrices for both viral RNAs, except in untreated wastewater for SARS-CoV-2, which showed less sensitivity to elevated temperatures. Therefore, SARS-CoV-2 RNA is likely to persist long enough in untreated wastewater to permit reliable detection for WBE application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warish Ahmed
- CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD, 4102, Australia.
| | - Paul M Bertsch
- CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Kyle Bibby
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering & Earth Sciences, 156 Fitzpatrick Hall, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46656, USA
| | - Eiji Haramoto
- Interdisciplinary Center for River Basin Environment, University of Yamanashi, 4 - 3 -11 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi, 400 -8511, Japan
| | - Joanne Hewitt
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd (ESR), Porirua, 5240, New Zealand
| | - Flavia Huygens
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Queensland University of Technology, 300 Herston Road, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - Pradip Gyawali
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd (ESR), Porirua, 5240, New Zealand
| | - Asja Korajkic
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, 26W Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Cincinnati, OH, 45268, USA
| | - Shane Riddell
- CSIRO Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia
| | - Samendra P Sherchan
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Tulane University, 1440 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | | | | | - Erin M Symonds
- College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, 140 Seventh Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL, 33701, USA
| | - Rory Verhagen
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Seshadri S Vasan
- CSIRO Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia; Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Masaaki Kitajima
- Division of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, North West 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0032, Japan
| | - Aaron Bivins
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering & Earth Sciences, 156 Fitzpatrick Hall, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46656, USA
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Sustainable Use of Wastewater in Agriculture: A Bibliometric Analysis of Worldwide Research. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12218948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
It is estimated that at least one quarter of the world’s population will be affected by water shortages in the coming years and by 2030 there will be a global water deficit of 40% if urgent action is not taken. Currently, the main consumer of water globally is agriculture. In addition, it has been estimated that to meet the demand for food by 2050, the water available for agricultural irrigation would have to increase by 70%. In this context, wastewater could become a relevant water resource to meet this growing demand. This article aims to show the state of the global research on sustainable use of wastewater in agriculture. To this end, a systematic qualitative analysis and a quantitative bibliometric analysis were conducted. The search was carried out for the period 2000–2019, and the analyzed sample comprised 1986 articles. The results show that this line of research is one of the most outstanding within agriculture and has gained special relevance during the last five years. Research has improved significantly at a technical level, but problems such as energy consumption, and the elimination of heavy metals and elements of chemical and pharmacological products, still need to be refined. There is a particular lack of contributions covering social aspects. This article can serve as a reference for both researchers and stakeholders interested in this topic.
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Ahmed W, Payyappat S, Cassidy M, Harrison N, Marinoni O, Besley C. Prevalence and abundance of traditional and host-associated fecal indicators in urban estuarine sediments: Potential implications for estuarine water quality monitoring. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 184:116109. [PMID: 32818744 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the prevalence and abundance of sewage and animal fecal contamination of sediment at seven estuarine locations in Sydney, NSW, Australia. Sediment samples were tested for the occurrence of microbial targets including molecular marker genes of enterococci (ENT), Bacteroides HF183 (HF183), Methanobrevibacter smithii (nifH), human adenovirus (HAdV) and emerging sewage-associated marker genes crAssphage (CPQ_056) and Lachnospiraceae (Lachno3) and animal feces-associated marker genes, including avian feces-associated Helicobacter spp. (GFD), canine-feces associated Bacteroides (DogBact), cattle-feces associated (cowM2) and horse feces-associated Bacteroides (HoF597). Results from this study showed that urban estuarine sediment can act as a reservoir of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) and several microbial source tracking (MST) marker genes, including previously unreported Lachno3. The sewage-associated marker gene CPQ_056 was most prevalent, in 63.8% of sediment samples, while the avian associated marker gene GFD had the highest mean abundance. The GFD marker gene was highly abundant and widely detected in sediment samples from all seven locations compared to the other animal feces-associated marker genes. In all, 31 (44.9%) sediment samples were positive for at least two sewage-associated marker genes. However, the non-quantifiable detection of the HAdV marker gene did not always align with the detection of two or more sewage-associated marker genes. In addition, the most frequent wet weather overflow exposure occurred at locations that did not have a consistent pattern of detection of the sewage-associated marker genes, suggesting sediments may not be a suitable measure of recent sewage contamination. To assist water quality and public health managers better understand past microbial contamination of estuarine sediment, further studies seem justified to explore the role of decay of MST marker genes in sediment. Further work is also needed on the role of resuspension of MST marker genes from sediment during storm events to the water column as a source of contamination for both the GFD and sewage-associated marker genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warish Ahmed
- CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD, 4102, Australia.
| | - Sudhi Payyappat
- Sydney Water, 1 Smith Street, Parramatta, NSW, 2150, Australia
| | - Michele Cassidy
- Sydney Water, 1 Smith Street, Parramatta, NSW, 2150, Australia
| | - Nathan Harrison
- Sydney Water, 1 Smith Street, Parramatta, NSW, 2150, Australia
| | - Oswald Marinoni
- CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Colin Besley
- Sydney Water, 1 Smith Street, Parramatta, NSW, 2150, Australia
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Janahi EM, Mustafa S, Parkar SFD, Naser HA, Eisa ZM. Detection of Enteric Viruses and Bacterial Indicators in a Sewage Treatment Center and Shallow Water Bay. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17186483. [PMID: 32899918 PMCID: PMC7559856 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17186483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The incidence of enteric viruses in treated wastewater and their potential release into the environment or use for agriculture are very critical matters in public health. In our study, PCR (polymerase chain reaction) analysis of enteric viruses was performed on 59 samples of influents and effluents collected from Tubli wastewater treatment plant (Water Pollution Control Center (WPCC)) and Tubli Bay, where the effluents were discharged, in Kingdom of Bahrain during two sampling periods. Four clinically essential waterborne enteric viruses were examined: enterovirus (EV), hepatitis A virus (HAV), astroviruses (AV), and rotaviruses (RV) and compared to standard bacterial and bacteriophages indicators of fecal pollution. Detection rates of EV, AV, HAV, and RV in the influent samples were 100%, 75%, 12.5%, and 12.5%, respectively, while 50% of the effluent samples from Tubli WPCC contained only EV RNA. None of the tested enteric viruses could be detected in any of the samples collected directly from Tubli Bay. Effluent samples from Tubli plant did not show significant seasonal differences. Since detection of enteric viruses genome does not necessarily indicate infectivity, the infectivity of these viruses was evaluated through isolation and growth of indictor bacteria and bacteriophages. High concentration of fecal bacteriological indicators was detected in all effluents samples (100%): 3.20 × 103 cfu/mL for E. coli, 1.32 × 103 cfu/mL for Salmonella spp., and 1.92 × 103 cfu/mL for Shigella spp. E. coli and Salmonella specific bacteriophages were also detected in the effluent samples in high titers. The combined results of PCR and bacterial enumeration point to a probable public health risk via the use of these wastewaters in agriculture or their discharge into the sea. Continuous surveillance of viral and bacterial prevalence and their resistance to sewage disinfection procedures could contribute to a better control of risks associated with the recycling of effluent wastewater and its release into the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Essam M. Janahi
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Bahrain, Sakhir 32038, Bahrain; (S.M.); (S.F.D.P.); (H.A.N.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Sakina Mustafa
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Bahrain, Sakhir 32038, Bahrain; (S.M.); (S.F.D.P.); (H.A.N.)
| | - Saba F. D. Parkar
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Bahrain, Sakhir 32038, Bahrain; (S.M.); (S.F.D.P.); (H.A.N.)
| | - Humood A. Naser
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Bahrain, Sakhir 32038, Bahrain; (S.M.); (S.F.D.P.); (H.A.N.)
| | - Zaki M. Eisa
- The National Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Jazan 82722-2476, Saudi Arabia;
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47
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Ahmed W, Bertsch PM, Angel N, Bibby K, Bivins A, Dierens L, Edson J, Ehret J, Gyawali P, Hamilton KA, Hosegood I, Hugenholtz P, Jiang G, Kitajima M, Sichani HT, Shi J, Shimko KM, Simpson SL, Smith WJM, Symonds EM, Thomas KV, Verhagen R, Zaugg J, Mueller JF. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in commercial passenger aircraft and cruise ship wastewater: a surveillance tool for assessing the presence of COVID-19 infected travellers. J Travel Med 2020; 27:taaa116. [PMID: 32662867 PMCID: PMC7454825 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taaa116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can be an important source of information for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) management during and after the pandemic. Currently, governments and transportation industries around the world are developing strategies to minimize SARS-CoV-2 transmission associated with resuming activity. This study investigated the possible use of SARS-CoV-2 RNA wastewater surveillance from airline and cruise ship sanitation systems and its potential use as a COVID-19 public health management tool. METHODS Aircraft and cruise ship wastewater samples (n = 21) were tested for SARS-CoV-2 using two virus concentration methods, adsorption-extraction by electronegative membrane (n = 13) and ultrafiltration by Amicon (n = 8), and five assays using reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and RT-droplet digital PCR (RT-ddPCR). Representative qPCR amplicons from positive samples were sequenced to confirm assay specificity. RESULTS SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in samples from both aircraft and cruise ship wastewater; however concentrations were near the assay limit of detection. The analysis of multiple replicate samples and use of multiple RT-qPCR and/or RT-ddPCR assays increased detection sensitivity and minimized false-negative results. Representative qPCR amplicons were confirmed for the correct PCR product by sequencing. However, differences in sensitivity were observed among molecular assays and concentration methods. CONCLUSIONS The study indicates that surveillance of wastewater from large transport vessels with their own sanitation systems has potential as a complementary data source to prioritize clinical testing and contact tracing among disembarking passengers. Importantly, sampling methods and molecular assays must be further optimized to maximize detection sensitivity. The potential for false negatives by both wastewater testing and clinical swab testing suggests that the two strategies could be employed together to maximize the probability of detecting SARS-CoV-2 infections amongst passengers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warish Ahmed
- CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Qld 4102, Australia
| | - Paul M Bertsch
- CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Qld 4102, Australia
| | - Nicola Angel
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Kyle Bibby
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering & Earth Science, University of Notre Dame, 156 Fitzpatrick Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Aaron Bivins
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering & Earth Science, University of Notre Dame, 156 Fitzpatrick Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Leanne Dierens
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Janette Edson
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - John Ehret
- Qantas Airways Limited, 10 Bourke Rd Mascot, 2020, NSW, Australia
| | - Pradip Gyawali
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd (ESR), Porirua, 5240, New Zealand
| | - Kerry A Hamilton
- The Biodesign Institute Center for Environmental Health Engineering, Arizona State University, Temple, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Ian Hosegood
- Qantas Airways Limited, 10 Bourke Rd Mascot, 2020, NSW, Australia
| | - Philip Hugenholtz
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Guangming Jiang
- School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Masaaki Kitajima
- Division of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, North 13 West 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-8628, Japan
| | - Homa T Sichani
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4103, Australia
| | - Jiahua Shi
- School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Katja M Shimko
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4103, Australia
| | | | - Wendy J M Smith
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Bioscience Precinct, St Lucia QLD 4067, Australia
| | - Erin M Symonds
- College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, 140 Seventh Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701 USA
| | - Kevin V Thomas
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4103, Australia
| | - Rory Verhagen
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4103, Australia
| | - Julian Zaugg
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Jochen F Mueller
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4103, Australia
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48
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Chacón L, Barrantes K, Santamaría-Ulloa C, Solano M, Reyes L, Taylor L, Valiente C, Symonds EM, Achí R. A Somatic Coliphage Threshold Approach To Improve the Management of Activated Sludge Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluents in Resource-Limited Regions. Appl Environ Microbiol 2020; 86:e00616-20. [PMID: 32591380 PMCID: PMC7440787 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00616-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Effective wastewater management is crucial to ensure the safety of water reuse projects and effluent discharge into surface waters. Multiple studies have demonstrated that municipal wastewater treatment with conventional activated sludge processes is inefficient for the removal of a wide spectrum of viruses in sewage. In this study, a well-accepted statistical approach was used to investigate the relationship between viral indicators and human enteric viruses during wastewater treatment in a resource-limited region. Influent and effluent samples from five urban wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Costa Rica were analyzed for somatic coliphage and human enterovirus, hepatitis A virus, norovirus genotypes I and II, and rotavirus. All WWTPs provide primary treatment followed by conventional activated sludge treatment prior to discharge into surface waters that are indirectly used for agricultural irrigation. The results revealed a statistically significant relationship between the detection of at least one of the five human enteric viruses and somatic coliphage. Multiple logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified a threshold of 3.0 × 103 (3.5 log10) somatic coliphage PFU per 100 ml, which corresponded to an increased likelihood of encountering enteric viruses above the limit of detection (>1.83 × 102 virus targets/100 ml). Additionally, quantitative microbial risk assessment was executed for farmers indirectly reusing WWTP effluent that met the proposed threshold. The resulting estimated median cumulative annual disease burden complied with World Health Organization recommendations. Future studies are needed to validate the proposed threshold for use in Costa Rica and other regions.IMPORTANCE Effective wastewater management is crucial to ensure safe direct and indirect water reuse; nevertheless, few countries have adopted the virus log reduction value management approach established by the World Health Organization. In this study, we investigated an alternative and/or complementary approach to the virus log reduction value framework for the indirect reuse of activated sludge-treated wastewater effluent. Specifically, we employed a well-accepted statistical approach to identify a statistically sound somatic coliphage threshold value which corresponded to an increased likelihood of human enteric virus detection. This study demonstrates an alternative approach to the virus log reduction value framework which can be applied to improve wastewater reuse practices and effluent management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luz Chacón
- Health Sciences Research Institute (Instituto de Investigaciones en Salud [INISA]), Universidad de Costa Rica, Montes de Oca, Costa Rica
| | - Kenia Barrantes
- Health Sciences Research Institute (Instituto de Investigaciones en Salud [INISA]), Universidad de Costa Rica, Montes de Oca, Costa Rica
| | - Carolina Santamaría-Ulloa
- Health Sciences Research Institute (Instituto de Investigaciones en Salud [INISA]), Universidad de Costa Rica, Montes de Oca, Costa Rica
| | - Melissa Solano
- Health Sciences Research Institute (Instituto de Investigaciones en Salud [INISA]), Universidad de Costa Rica, Montes de Oca, Costa Rica
| | - Liliana Reyes
- Health Sciences Research Institute (Instituto de Investigaciones en Salud [INISA]), Universidad de Costa Rica, Montes de Oca, Costa Rica
| | - Lizeth Taylor
- College of Microbiology (Facultad de Microbiología), Universidad de Costa Rica, Montes de Oca, Costa Rica
| | - Carmen Valiente
- National Water Laboratory (Laboratorio Nacional de Aguas), Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewerage (Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados), Tres Ríos, Costa Rica
| | - Erin M Symonds
- College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
| | - Rosario Achí
- Health Sciences Research Institute (Instituto de Investigaciones en Salud [INISA]), Universidad de Costa Rica, Montes de Oca, Costa Rica
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49
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Fuzawa M, Smith RL, Ku KM, Shisler JL, Feng H, Juvik JA, Nguyen TH. Roles of Vegetable Surface Properties and Sanitizer Type on Annual Disease Burden of Rotavirus Illness by Consumption of Rotavirus-Contaminated Fresh Vegetables: A Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment. RISK ANALYSIS : AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SOCIETY FOR RISK ANALYSIS 2020; 40:741-757. [PMID: 31742761 DOI: 10.1111/risa.13426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Enteric viruses are often detected in water used for crop irrigation. One concern is foodborne viral disease via the consumption of fresh produce irrigated with virus-contaminated water. Although the food industry routinely uses chemical sanitizers to disinfect post-harvest fresh produce, it remains unknown how sanitizer and fresh produce properties affect the risk of viral illness through fresh produce consumption. A quantitative microbial risk assessment model was conducted to estimate (i) the health risks associated with consumption of rotavirus (RV)-contaminated fresh produce with different surface properties (endive and kale) and (ii) how risks changed when using peracetic acid (PAA) or a surfactant-based sanitizer. The modeling results showed that the annual disease burden depended on the combination of sanitizer and vegetable type when vegetables were irrigated with RV-contaminated water. Global sensitivity analyses revealed that the most influential factors in the disease burden were RV concentration in irrigation water and postharvest disinfection efficacy. A postharvest disinfection efficacy of higher than 99% (2-log10 ) was needed to decrease the disease burden below the World Health Organization (WHO) threshold, even in scenarios with low RV concentrations in irrigation water (i.e., river water). All scenarios tested here with at least 99.9% (3-log10 ) disinfection efficacy had a disease burden lower than the WHO threshold, except for the endive treated with PAA. The disinfection efficacy for the endive treated with PAA was only about 80%, leading to a disease burden 100 times higher than the WHO threshold. These findings should be considered and incorporated into future models for estimating foodborne viral illness risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miyu Fuzawa
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Rebecca Lee Smith
- Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Kang-Mo Ku
- Division of Plant and Soil Sciences, Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
- Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61886, Republic of Korea
| | - Joanna L Shisler
- Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Hao Feng
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - John A Juvik
- Department of Crop Science, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Thanh H Nguyen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
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50
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Worldwide Regulations and Guidelines for Agricultural Water Reuse: A Critical Review. WATER 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/w12040971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Water reuse is gaining momentum as a beneficial practice to address the water crisis, especially in the agricultural sector as the largest water consumer worldwide. With recent advancements in wastewater treatment technologies, it is possible to produce almost any water quality. However, the main human and environmental concerns are still to determine what constituents must be removed and to what extent. The main objectives of this study were to compile, evaluate, and compare the current agricultural water reuse regulations and guidelines worldwide, and identify the gaps. In total, 70 regulations and guidelines, including Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), World Health Organization (WHO), the United States (state by state), European Commission, Canada (all provinces), Australia, Mexico, Iran, Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan, Palestine, Oman, China, Kuwait, Israel, Saudi Arabia, France, Cyprus, Spain, Greece, Portugal, and Italy were investigated in this study. These regulations and guidelines were examined to compile a comprehensive database, including all of the water quality monitoring parameters, and necessary treatment processes. In summary, results showed that the regulations and guidelines are mainly human-health centered, insufficient regarding some of the potentially dangerous pollutants such as emerging constituents, and with large discrepancies when compared with each other. In addition, some of the important water quality parameters such as some of the pathogens, heavy metals, and salinity are only included in a small group of regulations and guidelines investigated in this study. Finally, specific treatment processes have been only mentioned in some of the regulations and guidelines, and with high levels of discrepancy.
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