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Withey Z, Gweon HS. Longitudinal bacterial community dynamics and sodium hypochlorite intervention in a newly built university building. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 950:175349. [PMID: 39122041 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
Urbanisation and building advancements have increased microbial growth in indoor environments, altering human interactions with these microorganisms. Restrooms and their sinks harbour diverse bacterial communities, that differ from those found in natural environments, that could have negative implications for human health. Over two and a half years, this study examined the diversity, temporal dynamics, and resilience of bacterial communities in restroom sink P-traps in a newly built university building. Structured into two phases, the first phase consisted of continuous monitoring of bacterial community dynamics for two years (n = 352), while the second phase involved an intervention with sodium hypochlorite (bleach) and subsequent sampling (n = 132). In the first phase, we show that sink communities converge, becoming more compositionally similar to other sinks within the building. Bacterial families such as Rhodocyclaceae and Flavobacteriaceae dominated across the sinks, and others such as Comamonadaceae, Moraxellaceae and Enterbacteriaceae were highly prevalent. When comparing bacterial structure and composition to other sinks located on the university campus, the mean bacterial dissimilarity decreased over time, indicating compositional similarity, particularly with the newer buildings on campus. The second phase demonstrated resilience by the bacterial sink communities. Following bleach treatments, a distinct increase in Acinetobacter was observed. However, by the fourth week after bleach invention, bacterial communities had re-established to levels observed prior to treatment. This study had the unique opportunity to sample a newly built building before occupancy and for the subsequent two and a half years. The findings provide crucial insights into the development and resilience of sink P-trap bacterial communities in restrooms, laying the groundwork for more targeted approaches to disinfection strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe Withey
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK
| | - Hyun S Gweon
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK; UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 8BB, UK.
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2
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Gilbert JA, Hartmann EM. The indoors microbiome and human health. Nat Rev Microbiol 2024:10.1038/s41579-024-01077-3. [PMID: 39030408 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-024-01077-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Indoor environments serve as habitat for humans and are replete with various reservoirs and niches for microorganisms. Microorganisms enter indoor spaces with their human and non-human hosts, as well as via exchange with outdoor sources, such as ventilation and plumbing. Once inside, many microorganisms do not survive, especially on dry, barren surfaces. Even reduced, this microbial biomass has critical implications for the health of human occupants. As urbanization escalates, exploring the intersection of the indoor environment with the human microbiome and health is increasingly vital. The indoor microbiome, a complex ecosystem of microorganisms influenced by human activities and environmental factors, plays a pivotal role in modulating infectious diseases and fostering healthy immune development. Recent advancements in microbiome research shed light on this unique ecological system, highlighting the need for innovative approaches in creating health-promoting living spaces. In this Review, we explore the microbial ecology of built environments - places where humans spend most of their lives - and its implications for immune, endocrine and neurological health. We further propose strategies to harness the indoor microbiome for better health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack A Gilbert
- Department of Paediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Erica M Hartmann
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
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3
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Li M, Liu Z, Chen Y. Tap water microbiome shifts in secondary water supply for high-rise buildings. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ECOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 20:100413. [PMID: 38585200 PMCID: PMC10997949 DOI: 10.1016/j.ese.2024.100413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
In high-rise buildings, secondary water supply systems (SWSSs) are pivotal yet provide a conducive milieu for microbial proliferation due to intermittent flow, low disinfectant residual, and high specific pipe-surface area, raising concerns about tap water quality deterioration. Despite their ubiquity, a comprehensive understanding of bacterial community dynamics within SWSSs remains elusive. Here we show how intrinsic SWSS variables critically shape the tap water microbiome at distal ends. In an office setting, distinct from residential complexes, the diversity in piping materials instigates a noticeable bacterial community shift, exemplified by a transition from α-Proteobacteria to γ-Proteobacteria dominance, alongside an upsurge in bacterial diversity and microbial propagation potential. Extended water retention within SWSSs invariably escalates microbial regrowth propensities and modulates bacterial consortia, yet secondary disinfection emerges as a robust strategy for preserving water quality integrity. Additionally, the regularity of water usage modulates proximal flow dynamics, thereby influencing tap water's microbial landscape. Insights garnered from this investigation lay the groundwork for devising effective interventions aimed at safeguarding microbiological standards at the consumer's endpoint.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manjie Li
- Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China
- State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, PR China
| | - Zhaowei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, PR China
| | - Yongcan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, PR China
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Abbas M, Khan MT, Iqbal Z, Ali A, Eddine BT, Yousaf N, Wei D. Sources, transmission and hospital-associated outbreaks of nontuberculous mycobacteria: a review. Future Microbiol 2024; 19:715-740. [PMID: 39015998 PMCID: PMC11259073 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2023-0279] [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: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are widespread environmental organisms found in both natural and man-made settings, such as building plumbing, water distribution networks and hospital water systems. Their ubiquitous presence increases the risk of transmission, leading to a wide range of human infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. NTM primarily spreads through environmental exposures, such as inhaling aerosolized particles, ingesting contaminated food and introducing it into wounds. Hospital-associated outbreaks have been linked to contaminated medical devices and water systems. Furthermore, the rising global incidence, prevalence and isolation rates highlight the urgency of addressing NTM infections. Gaining a thorough insight into the sources and epidemiology of NTM infection is crucial for devising novel strategies to prevent and manage NTM transmission and infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Munawar Abbas
- College of Food Science & Technology, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
| | - Muhammad Tahir Khan
- Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (IMBB), The University of Lahore, 1KM Defense Road, Lahore, 58810, Pakistan
- Zhongjing Research & Industrialization Institute of Chinese Medicine, Zhongguancun Scientific Park, Meixi, Nanyang, Henan, 473006, PR China
| | - Zafar Iqbal
- School of Life Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui, China
| | - Arif Ali
- Department of Bioinformatics & Biological Statistics, School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Benarfa Taki Eddine
- Echahid Cheikh Larbi Tebessi University Faculty of Exact Sciences & Natural & Life Sciences, Département of Microbiology, Algeria
| | - Numan Yousaf
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Dongqing Wei
- College of Food Science & Technology, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Shanghai-Islamabad-Belgrade Joint Innovation Center on Antibacterial Resistances, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences & School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, PR China
- Zhongjing Research & Industrialization Institute of Chinese Medicine, Zhongguancun Scientific Park, Meixi, Nanyang, Henan, 473006, PR China
- Henan Biological Industry Group, 41, Nongye East Rd, Jinshui, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450008, China
- Peng Cheng National Laboratory, Vanke Cloud City Phase I Building 8, Xili Street, Nashan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, PR China
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LeChevallier MW, Prosser T, Stevens M. Opportunistic Pathogens in Drinking Water Distribution Systems-A Review. Microorganisms 2024; 12:916. [PMID: 38792751 PMCID: PMC11124194 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12050916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
In contrast to "frank" pathogens, like Salmonella entrocolitica, Shigella dysenteriae, and Vibrio cholerae, that always have a probability of disease, "opportunistic" pathogens are organisms that cause an infectious disease in a host with a weakened immune system and rarely in a healthy host. Historically, drinking water treatment has focused on control of frank pathogens, particularly those from human or animal sources (like Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium parvum, or Hepatitis A virus), but in recent years outbreaks from drinking water have increasingly been due to opportunistic pathogens. Characteristics of opportunistic pathogens that make them problematic for water treatment include: (1) they are normally present in aquatic environments, (2) they grow in biofilms that protect the bacteria from disinfectants, and (3) under appropriate conditions in drinking water systems (e.g., warm water, stagnation, low disinfectant levels, etc.), these bacteria can amplify to levels that can pose a public health risk. The three most common opportunistic pathogens in drinking water systems are Legionella pneumophila, Mycobacterium avium, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This report focuses on these organisms to provide information on their public health risk, occurrence in drinking water systems, susceptibility to various disinfectants, and other operational practices (like flushing and cleaning of pipes and storage tanks). In addition, information is provided on a group of nine other opportunistic pathogens that are less commonly found in drinking water systems, including Aeromonas hydrophila, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia marcescens, Burkholderia pseudomallei, Acinetobacter baumannii, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Arcobacter butzleri, and several free-living amoebae including Naegleria fowleri and species of Acanthamoeba. The public health risk for these microbes in drinking water is still unclear, but in most cases, efforts to manage Legionella, mycobacteria, and Pseudomonas risks will also be effective for these other opportunistic pathogens. The approach to managing opportunistic pathogens in drinking water supplies focuses on controlling the growth of these organisms. Many of these microbes are normal inhabitants in biofilms in water, so the attention is less on eliminating these organisms from entering the system and more on managing their occurrence and concentrations in the pipe network. With anticipated warming trends associated with climate change, the factors that drive the growth of opportunistic pathogens in drinking water systems will likely increase. It is important, therefore, to evaluate treatment barriers and management activities for control of opportunistic pathogen risks. Controls for primary treatment, particularly for turbidity management and disinfection, should be reviewed to ensure adequacy for opportunistic pathogen control. However, the major focus for the utility's opportunistic pathogen risk reduction plan is the management of biological activity and biofilms in the distribution system. Factors that influence the growth of microbes (primarily in biofilms) in the distribution system include, temperature, disinfectant type and concentration, nutrient levels (measured as AOC or BDOC), stagnation, flushing of pipes and cleaning of storage tank sediments, and corrosion control. Pressure management and distribution system integrity are also important to the microbial quality of water but are related more to the intrusion of contaminants into the distribution system rather than directly related to microbial growth. Summarizing the identified risk from drinking water, the availability and quality of disinfection data for treatment, and guidelines or standards for control showed that adequate information is best available for management of L. pneumophila. For L. pneumophila, the risk for this organism has been clearly established from drinking water, cases have increased worldwide, and it is one of the most identified causes of drinking water outbreaks. Water management best practices (e.g., maintenance of a disinfectant residual throughout the distribution system, flushing and cleaning of sediments in pipelines and storage tanks, among others) have been shown to be effective for control of L. pneumophila in water supplies. In addition, there are well documented management guidelines available for the control of the organism in drinking water distribution systems. By comparison, management of risks for Mycobacteria from water are less clear than for L. pneumophila. Treatment of M. avium is difficult due to its resistance to disinfection, the tendency to form clumps, and attachment to surfaces in biofilms. Additionally, there are no guidelines for management of M. avium in drinking water, and one risk assessment study suggested a low risk of infection. The role of tap water in the transmission of the other opportunistic pathogens is less clear and, in many cases, actions to manage L. pneumophila (e.g., maintenance of a disinfectant residual, flushing, cleaning of storage tanks, etc.) will also be beneficial in helping to manage these organisms as well.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Toby Prosser
- Melbourne Water, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia; (T.P.); (M.S.)
| | - Melita Stevens
- Melbourne Water, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia; (T.P.); (M.S.)
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Cheng H, Monjed MK, Myshkevych Y, Wang T, Hong PY. Accounting for the microbial assembly of each process in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs): study of four WWTPs receiving similar influent streams. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0225323. [PMID: 38440988 PMCID: PMC11022531 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02253-23] [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: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
We evaluated a unique model in which four full-scale wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) with the same treatment schematic and fed with similar influent wastewater were tracked over an 8-month period to determine whether the community assembly would differ in the activated sludge (AS) and sand filtration (SF) stages. For each WWTP, AS and SF achieved an average of 1-log10 (90%) and <0.02-log10 (5%) reduction of total cells, respectively. Despite the removal of cells, both AS and SF had a higher alpha and beta diversity compared to the influent microbial community. Using the Sloan neutral model, it was observed that AS and SF were individually dominated by different assembly processes. Specifically, microorganisms from influent to AS were predominantly determined by the selective niche process for all WWTPs, while the microbial community in the SF was relatively favored by a stochastic, random migration process, except two WWTPs. AS also contributed more to the final effluent microbial community compared with the SF. Given that each WWTP operates the AS independently and that there is a niche selection process driven mainly by the chemical oxygen demand concentration, operational taxonomic units unique to each of the WWTPs were also identified. The findings from this study indicate that each WWTP has its distinct microbial signature and could be used for source-tracking purposes.IMPORTANCEThis study provided a novel concept that microorganisms follow a niche assembly in the activated sludge (AS) tank and that the AS contributed more than the sand filtration process toward the final microbial signature that is unique to each treatment plant. This observation highlights the importance of understanding the microbial community selected by the AS stage, which could contribute toward source-tracking the effluent from different wastewater treatment plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Eco-environments in Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
- Environmental Science and Engineering, Biological and Environmental Sciences & Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad K. Monjed
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Applied Science, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yevhen Myshkevych
- Environmental Science and Engineering, Biological and Environmental Sciences & Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tiannyu Wang
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center, Biological and Environmental Sciences & Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Pei-Ying Hong
- Environmental Science and Engineering, Biological and Environmental Sciences & Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center, Biological and Environmental Sciences & Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
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7
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Joshi S, Richard R, Hogue D, Brown J, Cahill M, Kotta V, Call K, Butzine N, Marcos-Hernández M, Alja'fari J, Voth-Gaeddert L, Boyer T, Hamilton KA. Water Quality Trade-offs for Risk Management Interventions in a Green Building. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE : WATER RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 10:767-786. [PMID: 39185481 PMCID: PMC11343562 DOI: 10.1039/d3ew00650f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
Premise plumbing water quality degradation has led to negative health impacts from pathogen outbreaks (e.g., Legionella pneumophila and non-tuberculous mycobacteria), as well as chronic effects from exposure to heavy metals or disinfection by-products (DBP). Common water quality management interventions include flushing, heat shock (thermal disinfection), supplemental disinfection (shock or super chlorination), and water heater temperature setpoint change. In this study, a Legionella pneumophila- colonized Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified building was monitored to study health-relevant water quality changes before and after three controlled management interventions: (1) flushing at several points throughout the building; (2) changing the water heater set point; and (3) a combination of interventions (1) and (2) by flushing during a period of elevated water heater set point (incompletely performed due to operational issues). Microbial (culturable L. pneumophila, the L. pneumophila mip gene, and cATP) and physico-chemical (pH, temperature, conductivity, disinfectant residual, disinfection by-products (DBPs; total trihalomethanes, TTHM), and heavy metals) water quality were monitored alongside building occupancy as approximated using Wi-Fi logins. Flushing alone resulted in a significant decrease in cATP and L. pneumophila concentrations (p = 0.018 and 0.019, respectively) and a significant increase in chlorine concentrations (p = 0.002) as well as iron and DBP levels (p = 0.002). Copper concentrations increased during the water heater temperature setpoint increase alone to 140°F during December 2022 (p = 0.01). During the flushing and elevated temperature in parts of the building in February 2023, there was a significant increase in chlorine concentrations (p = 0.002) and iron (p = 0.002) but no significant decrease in L. pneumophila concentrations in the drinking water samples (p = 0.27). This study demonstrated the potential impacts of short term or incompletely implemented interventions which in this case were not sufficient to holistically improve water quality. As implementing interventions is logistically- and time-intensive, more effective and holistic approaches are needed for informing preventative and corrective actions that are beneficial for multiple water quality and sustainability goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayalee Joshi
- The School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, 660S College Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
- The Biodesign Institute Center for Environmental Health Engineering, Arizona State University, 1001 S McAlister Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
| | - Rain Richard
- NCS Engineering, 202 E. Earll Drive Suite 110, Phoenix AZ 85012, USA
| | - Derek Hogue
- The School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, 660S College Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
| | - James Brown
- The School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, 660S College Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
| | - Molly Cahill
- The School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, 660S College Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
- The Biodesign Institute Center for Environmental Health Engineering, Arizona State University, 1001 S McAlister Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
| | - Vishnu Kotta
- The School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, 660S College Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
- The Biodesign Institute Center for Environmental Health Engineering, Arizona State University, 1001 S McAlister Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
| | - Kathryn Call
- The School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, 660S College Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
| | - Noah Butzine
- The School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, 660S College Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
- The Biodesign Institute Center for Environmental Health Engineering, Arizona State University, 1001 S McAlister Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
| | - Mariana Marcos-Hernández
- The School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, 660S College Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
- Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment, School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287-3005, USA
| | - Jumana Alja'fari
- The Biodesign Institute Center for Environmental Health Engineering, Arizona State University, 1001 S McAlister Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
| | - Lee Voth-Gaeddert
- The Biodesign Institute Center for Health Through Microbiomes, Arizona State University, 1001 S McAlister Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
| | - Treavor Boyer
- The School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, 660S College Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University, PO Box 873005, Tempe, AZ 85287-3005, USA
| | - Kerry A Hamilton
- The School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, 660S College Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
- The Biodesign Institute Center for Environmental Health Engineering, Arizona State University, 1001 S McAlister Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
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Liu S, Xia S, Zhang X, Cai X, Yang J, Hu Y, Zhou S, Wang H. Microbial communities exhibit distinct diversities and assembly mechanisms in rainwater and tap-water storage systems. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 253:121305. [PMID: 38367380 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121305] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Roof-harvested rainwater stored for potable and nonpotable usages represent a clean and sustainable water supply resource. However, the microbial dynamics and mechanisms of community assembly in long-termed operated rainwater storage systems remain elusive. In this study, characteristics of microbial communities in different habitats were systematically compared within rainwater and tap-water simulated storage systems (SWSSs) constructed with different tank materials (PVC, stainless steel and cement). Distinct microbial communities were observed between rainwater and tap-water SWSSs for both water and biofilm samples (ANOSIM, p < 0.05), with lower diversity indexes noted in rainwater samples. Notably, a divergent potential pathogen profile was observed between rainwater and tap-water SWSSs, with higher relative abundances of potential pathogens noted in rainwater SWSSs. Moreover, tank materials had a notable impact on microbial communities in rainwater SWSSs (ANOSIM, p < 0.05), rather than tap-water SWSSs, illustrating the distinct interplay between water chemistry and engineering factors in shaping the SWSS microbiomes. Deterministic processes contributed predominantly to the microbial community assembly in cement rainwater SWSSs and all tap-water SWSSs, which might be ascribed to the high pH levels in cement rainwater SWSSs and low-nutrient levels in all tap-water SWSSs, respectively. However, microbial communities in the PVC and stainless-steel rainwater SWSSs were mainly driven by stochastic processes. Overall, the results provided insights to the distinct microbial assembly mechanisms and potential health risks in stored roof-harvested rainwater, highlighting the importance of developing tailored microbial management strategies for the storage and utilization of rainwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sihang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Siqing Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China.
| | - Xiaodong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xucheng Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Jinhao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yuxing Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Shuang Zhou
- School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Hong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China.
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Ra K, Proctor C, Ley C, Angert D, Noh Y, Odimayomi T, Whelton AJ. Four buildings and a flush: Lessons from degraded water quality and recommendations on building water management. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ECOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 18:100314. [PMID: 37854462 PMCID: PMC10579424 DOI: 10.1016/j.ese.2023.100314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
A reduction in building occupancy can lead to stagnant water in plumbing, and the potential consequences for water quality have gained increasing attention. To investigate this, a study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on water quality in four institutional buildings. Two of these buildings were old (>58 years) and large (>19,000 m2), while the other two were new (>13 years) and small (<11,000 m2). The study revealed significant decreases in water usage in the small buildings, whereas usage remained unchanged in the large buildings. Initial analysis found that residual chlorine was rarely detectable in cold/drinking water samples. Furthermore, the pH, dissolved oxygen, total organic carbon, and total cell count levels in the first draw of cold water samples were similar across all buildings. However, the ranges of heavy metal concentrations in large buildings were greater than observed in small buildings. Copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and manganese (Mn) sporadically exceeded drinking water limits at cold water fixtures, with maximum concentrations of 2.7 mg Cu L-1, 45.4 μg Pb L-1, 1.9 mg Mn L-1. Flushing the plumbing for 5 min resulted in detectable residual at fixtures in three buildings, but even after 125 min of flushing in largest and oldest building, no residual chlorine was detected at the fixture closest to the building's point of entry. During the pandemic, the building owner conducted fixture flushing, where one to a few fixtures were operated per visit in buildings with hundreds of fixtures and multiple floors. However, further research is needed to understand the fundamental processes that control faucet water quality from the service line to the faucet. In the absence of this knowledge, building owners should create and use as-built drawings to develop flushing plans and conduct periodic water testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyungyeon Ra
- Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University, 550 Stadium Mall Drive, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Caitlin Proctor
- Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Division of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Christian Ley
- Division of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Colorado, 1111 Engineering Drive, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Danielle Angert
- Division of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
- Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Texas, 301E E Dean Keeton Street, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Yoorae Noh
- Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University, 550 Stadium Mall Drive, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Tolulope Odimayomi
- Division of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, 750 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Andrew J. Whelton
- Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Division of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Purdue University, 550 Stadium Mall Drive, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
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10
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Chen X, Wu XN, Feng JC, Wang Y, Zhang XC, Lin YL, Wang B, Zhang S. Nonlinear differential equations and their application to evaluating the integrated impacts of multiple parameters on the biochemical safety of drinking water. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 355:120493. [PMID: 38452624 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120493] [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: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
The present study aimed to narrow such gaps by applying nonlinear differential equations to biostability in drinking water. Biostability results from the integrated dynamics of nutrients and disinfectants. The linear dynamics of biostability have been well studied, while there remain knowledge gaps concerning nonlinear effects. The nonlinear effects are explained by phase plots for specific scenarios in a drinking water system, including continuous nutrient release, flush exchange with the adjacent environment, periodic pulse disinfection, and periodic biofilm development. The main conclusions are, (1) The correlations between the microbial community and nutrients go through phases of linear, nonlinear, and chaotic dynamics. Disinfection breaks the chaotic phase and returns the system to the linear phase, increasing the microbial growth potential. (2) Post-disinfection after multiple microbial peaks produced via metabolism can increase disinfection efficiency and decrease the risks associated with disinfectant byproduct risks. This can provide guidelines for optimizing the disinfection strategy, according to the long-term water safety target or a short management. Limited disinfection and ultimate disinfection may be more effective and have low chemical risk, facing longer stagnant conditions. (3) Periodic biofilm formation and biofilm detachment increase the possibility of uncertainty in the chaotic phase. For future study, nonlinear differential equation models can accordingly be applied at the molecular and ecological levels to further explore more nonlinear regulation mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Chen
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, 511458, China; School of Ecology, Environment, and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Xiao-Nan Wu
- School of Ecology, Environment, and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jing-Chun Feng
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, 511458, China; School of Ecology, Environment, and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
| | - Yi Wang
- College of Defense Engineering, The Army Engineering University of PLA, Nanjing, 210007, China.
| | - Xiao-Chun Zhang
- School of Ecology, Environment, and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yi-Lei Lin
- School of Ecology, Environment, and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Bin Wang
- School of Ecology, Environment, and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Si Zhang
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, 511458, China; School of Ecology, Environment, and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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11
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Ren A, Yao M, Fang J, Dai Z, Li X, van der Meer W, Medema G, Rose JB, Liu G. Bacterial communities of planktonic bacteria and mature biofilm in service lines and premise plumbing of a Megacity: Composition, Diversity, and influencing factors. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 185:108538. [PMID: 38422875 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Although simulated studies have provided valuable knowledge regarding the communities of planktonic bacteria and biofilms, the lack of systematic field studies have hampered the understanding of microbiology in real-world service lines and premise plumbing. In this study, the bacterial communities of water and biofilm were explored, with a special focus on the lifetime development of biofilm communities and their key influencing factors. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing results showed that both the planktonic bacteria and biofilm were dominated by Proteobacteria. Among the 15,084 observed amplicon sequence variants (ASVs), the 33 core ASVs covered 72.8 %, while the 12 shared core ASVs accounted for 62.2 % of the total sequences. Remarkably, it was found that the species richness and diversity of biofilm communities correlated with pipe age. The relative abundance of ASV2 (f_Sphingomonadaceae) was lower for pipe ages 40-50 years (7.9 %) than for pipe ages 10-20 years (59.3 %), while the relative abundance of ASV10 (f_Hyphomonadaceae) was higher for pipe ages 40-50 years (19.5 %) than its presence at pipe ages 20-30 years (1.9 %). The community of the premise plumbing biofilm had significantly higher species richness and diversity than that of the service line, while the steel-plastics composite pipe interior lined with polyethylene (S-PE) harbored significantly more diverse biofilm than the galvanized steel pipes (S-Zn). Interestingly, S-PE was enriched with ASV27 (g_Mycobacterium), while S-Zn pipes were enriched with ASV13 (g_Pseudomonas). Moreover, the network analysis showed that five rare ASVs, not core ASVs, were keystone members in biofilm communities, indicating the importance of rare members in the function and stability of biofilm communities. This manuscript provides novel insights into real-world service lines and premise plumbing microbiology, regarding lifetime dynamics (pipe age 10-50 years), and the influences of pipe types (premise plumbing vs. service line) and pipe materials (S-Zn vs. S-PE).
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Affiliation(s)
- Anran Ren
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; Sanitary Engineering, Department of Water Management, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, P.O. Box 5048, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Mingchen Yao
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; Sanitary Engineering, Department of Water Management, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, P.O. Box 5048, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaxing Fang
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; Science and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500AE Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Zihan Dai
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Xiaoming Li
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Walter van der Meer
- Science and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500AE Enschede, The Netherlands; Oasen Drinkwater, PO Box 122, 2800 AC, Gouda, The Netherlands
| | - Gertjan Medema
- Oasen Drinkwater, PO Box 122, 2800 AC, Gouda, The Netherlands; KWR Watercycle Research Institute, P.O. Box 1072, 3430 BB Nieuwegein, The Netherlands; Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA
| | - Joan B Rose
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA
| | - Gang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; Sanitary Engineering, Department of Water Management, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, P.O. Box 5048, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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12
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Claveau L, Hudson N, Jeffrey P, Hassard F. To gate or not to gate: Revisiting drinking water microbial assessment through flow cytometry fingerprinting. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169138. [PMID: 38070556 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169138] [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: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Flow cytometry has been utilized for over a decade as a rapid and reproducible approach to assessing microbial quality of drinking water. However, the need for specialized expertise in gating-a fundamental strategy for distinguishing cell populations-introduces the potential for human error and obstructs the standardization of methods. This work conducts a comprehensive analysis of various gating approaches applied to flow cytometric scatter plots, using a dataset spanning a year. A sensitivity analysis is carried out to examine the impact of different gating strategies on final cell count results. The findings show that dynamic gating, which requires user intervention, is essential for the analysis of highly variable raw waters and distributed water. In contrast, static gating proved suitable for more stable water sources, interstage sample locations, and water presenting a particularly low cell count. Our conclusions suggest that cell count analysis should be supplemented with fluorescence fingerprinting to gain a more complete understanding of the variability in microbial populations within drinking water supplies. Establishing dynamic baselines for each water type in FCM monitoring studies is essential for choosing the correct gating strategy. FCM fingerprinting offers a dynamic approach to quantify treatment processes, enabling options for much better monitoring and control. This study offers new insights into the vagaries of various flow cytometry gating strategies, thereby substantially contributing to best practices in the water industry. The findings foster more efficient and reliable water analysis, improving of standardizing methods in microbial water quality assessment using FCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Claveau
- Cranfield University, College Road, Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK
| | - N Hudson
- South East Water, Rocfort Road, Snodland, Kent ME6 5AH, UK
| | - P Jeffrey
- Cranfield University, College Road, Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK
| | - F Hassard
- Cranfield University, College Road, Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK.
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13
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Healy HG, Ehde A, Bartholow A, Kantor RS, Nelson KL. Responses of drinking water bulk and biofilm microbiota to elevated water age in bench-scale simulated distribution systems. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2024; 10:7. [PMID: 38253591 PMCID: PMC10803812 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-023-00473-6] [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: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Reductions in nonresidential water demand during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of understanding how water age impacts drinking water quality and microbiota in piped distribution systems. Using benchtop model distribution systems, we aimed to characterize the impacts of elevated water age on microbiota in bulk water and pipe wall biofilms. Five replicate constant-flow reactors were fed with municipal chloraminated tap water for 6 months prior to building closures and 7 months after. After building closures, chloramine levels entering the reactors dropped; in the reactor bulk water and biofilms the mean cell counts and ATP concentrations increased over an order of magnitude while the detection of opportunistic pathogens remained low. Water age, and the corresponding physicochemical changes, strongly influenced microbial abundance and community composition. Differential initial microbial colonization also had a lasting influence on microbial communities in each reactor (i.e., historical contingency).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Greenwald Healy
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Aliya Ehde
- Division of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Alma Bartholow
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Rose S Kantor
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
| | - Kara L Nelson
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
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14
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Abkar L, Moghaddam HS, Fowler SJ. Microbial ecology of drinking water from source to tap. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 908:168077. [PMID: 37914126 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
As drinking water travels from its source, through various treatment processes, hundreds to thousands of kilometres of distribution network pipes, to the taps in private homes and public buildings, it is exposed to numerous environmental changes, as well as other microbes living in both water and on surfaces. This review aims to identify the key locations and factors that are associated with changes in the drinking water microbiome throughout conventional urban drinking water systems from the source to the tap water. Over the past 15 years, improvements in cultivation-independent methods have enabled studies that allow us to answer such questions. As a result, we are beginning to move towards predicting the impacts of disturbances and interventions resulting ultimately in management of drinking water systems and microbial communities rather than mere observation. Many challenges still exist to achieve effective management, particularly within the premise plumbing environment, which exhibits diverse and inconsistent conditions that may lead to alterations in the microbiota, potentially presenting public health risks. Finally, we recommend the establishment of global collaborative projects on the drinking water microbiome that will enhance our current knowledge and lead to tools for operators and researchers alike to improve global access to high-quality drinking water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leili Abkar
- Civil Engineering Department, University of British Columbia, Canada.
| | | | - S Jane Fowler
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Canada.
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15
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Huang CK, Weerasekara A, Lu J, Carter R, Weynberg KD, Thomson R, Bell S, Guo J. Extended water stagnation in buildings during the COVID-19 pandemic increases the risks posed by opportunistic pathogens. WATER RESEARCH X 2023; 21:100201. [PMID: 38098883 PMCID: PMC10719583 DOI: 10.1016/j.wroa.2023.100201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
The regrowth and subsequent exposure of opportunistic pathogens (OPs) whilst reopening buildings that have been locked down due to the stay-at-home restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19, is a public health concern. To better understand such microbiological risks due to lowered occupancy and water demand in buildings, first and post-flush water samples (n = 48) were sampled from 24 drinking water outlets from eight university buildings in two campuses (urban and rural), with various end-user occupancies. Both campuses were served with chlorinated water originating from a single drinking water distribution system in South-East Queensland, situated 14 km apart, where the rural campus had lower chlorine residuals. Culture-dependent and culture-independent methods (such as flow cytometry, qPCR and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing) were used concurrently to comprehensively characterise the OPs of interest (Legionella spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM)) and the premise plumbing microbiome. Results showed that buildings with extended levels of stagnation had higher and diverse levels of microbial growth, as observed in taxonomic structure and composition of the microbial communities. NTM were ubiquitous in all the outlets sampled, regardless of campus or end-user occupancy of the buildings. qPCR and culture demonstrated prevalent and higher concentrations of NTM in buildings (averaging 3.25 log10[estimated genomic copies/mL]) with extended stagnation in the urban campus. Furthermore, flushing the outlets for 30 minutes restored residual and total chlorine, and subsequently decreased the levels of Legionella by a reduction of 1 log. However, this approach was insufficient to restore total and residual chlorine levels for the outlets in the rural campus, where both Legionella and NTM levels detected by qPCR remained unchanged, regardless of building occupancy. Our findings highlight that regular monitoring of operational parameters such as residual chlorine levels, and the implementation of water risk management plans are important for non-healthcare public buildings, as the levels of OPs in these environments are typically not assessed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey K Huang
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, QLD 4072, Australia
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Anjani Weerasekara
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, QLD 4072, Australia
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Ji Lu
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Robyn Carter
- Respiratory Research Unit, Gallipoli Medical Research Institute, QLD 4120, Australia
| | - Karen D. Weynberg
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Rachel Thomson
- Respiratory Research Unit, Gallipoli Medical Research Institute, QLD 4120, Australia
- Greenslopes Clinical Unit, The University of Queensland, QLD Australia
| | - Scott Bell
- Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre, The Prince Charles Hospital, Australia
- Child Health Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, QLD Australia
- Translational Research Institute, Australia
| | - Jianhua Guo
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, QLD 4072, Australia
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16
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Hussain S, Chen M, Liu Y, Mustafa G, Wang X, Liu J, Sheikh TMM, Bano H, Yasoob TB. Composition and assembly mechanisms of prokaryotic communities in wetlands, and their relationships with different vegetation and reclamation methods. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 897:166190. [PMID: 37567310 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166190] [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: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Coastal wetlands are undergoing substantial transformations globally as a result of increased human activities. However, compared to other ecosystems, diversity and functional characteristics of microbial communities in reclaimed coastal wetlands are not well studied compared to other ecosystems. This is important because it is known that microorganisms can play a crucial role in biogeochemical cycling within coastal wetland ecosystems. Hence, this study utilized the high-throughput sequencing technique to investigate the structure and assembly processes of microbial communities in reclaimed coastal wetlands. The results revealed a substantial change in soil properties following coastal wetland reclamation. Remarkably, the reclaimed soil exhibited significantly lower pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), and total salinity (TS) values (p < 0.05). The dominant phyla included Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Bacteroidetes, Acidobacteria, and Planctomycetes among study sites. However, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria increased from un-reclaimed coastal wetlands to reclaimed ones. The Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Acidobacteria showed higher relative abundance in vegetated soil compared to bare soil, while Bacteroidetes and Planctomycetes exhibited the opposite trend. Notably, vegetation types exerted the strongest influence on microbial diversity, surpassing the effects of soil types and depth (F = 34.49, p < 0.001; F = 25.49, p < 0.001; F = 3.173, p < 0.078, respectively). Stochastic assembly processes dominated in un-reclaimed soil, whereas deterministic processes governed the assembly in artificial sea embankment wetlands (SEW). The presence of Spartina alterniflora in all soil types (except SEW soils) indicated stochastic assembly, while Phragmites australis in reclaimed soils pointed toward deterministic microbial assembly. Furthermore, environmental factors such as pH, soil water content (SWC), SOC, total carbon (TC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), NH4+-N, vegetation types, soil depth, and geographic distance exhibited significant effects on microbial beta diversity indices. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed a stronger association between taxa in SEW compared to land reclaimed from wetlands (LRW) and natural coastal wetlands (NCW). The bottom soil layer exhibited more complex network interactions than the topsoil layer. Besides soil parameters, reclamation and varieties of vegetation were also substantial factors influencing the composition, diversity, and assembly processes of microbial communities in coastal wetlands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarfraz Hussain
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Min Chen
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Yuhong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China.
| | - Ghulam Mustafa
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Xue Wang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Jiayuan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Taha Majid Mahmood Sheikh
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Hamida Bano
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; Department of animal sciences, Faculty of agricultural Sciences, Ghazi university, Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan
| | - Talat Bilal Yasoob
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; Department of Zoology, University of Education, Lahore, Pakistan
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17
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Gomez-Alvarez V, Ryu H, Tang M, McNeely M, Muhlen C, Urbanic M, Williams D, Lytle D, Boczek L. Assessing residential activity in a home plumbing system simulator: monitoring the occurrence and relationship of major opportunistic pathogens and phagocytic amoebas. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1260460. [PMID: 37915853 PMCID: PMC10616306 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1260460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens (OPPPs) have been detected in buildings' plumbing systems causing waterborne disease outbreaks in the United States. In this study, we monitored the occurrence of OPPPs along with free-living amoeba (FLA) and investigated the effects of residential activities in a simulated home plumbing system (HPS). Water samples were collected from various locations in the HPS and analyzed for three major OPPPs: Legionella pneumophila, nontuberculous mycobacterial species (e.g., Mycobacterium avium, M. intracellulare, and M. abscessus), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa along with two groups of amoebas (Acanthamoeba and Vermamoeba vermiformis). A metagenomic approach was also used to further characterize the microbial communities. Results show that the microbial community is highly diverse with evidence of spatial and temporal structuring influenced by environmental conditions. L. pneumophila was the most prevalent pathogen (86% of samples), followed by M. intracellulare (66%) and P. aeruginosa (21%). Interestingly, M. avium and M. abscessus were not detected in any samples. The data revealed a relatively low prevalence of Acanthamoeba spp. (4%), while V. vermiformis was widely detected (81%) across all the sampling locations within the HPS. Locations with a high concentration of L. pneumophila and M. intracellulare coincided with the highest detection of V. vermiformis, suggesting the potential growth of both populations within FLA and additional protection in drinking water. After a period of stagnation lasting at least 2-weeks, the concentrations of OPPPs and amoeba immediately increased and then decreased gradually back to the baseline. Furthermore, monitoring the microbial population after drainage of the hot water tank and partial drainage of the entire HPS demonstrated no significant mitigation of the selected OPPPs. This study demonstrates that these organisms can adjust to their environment during such events and may survive in biofilms and/or grow within FLA, protecting them from stressors in the supplied water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicente Gomez-Alvarez
- Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Hodon Ryu
- Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Min Tang
- Oak Ridge for Science and Education Research Fellow at U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Morgan McNeely
- Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Christy Muhlen
- Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Megan Urbanic
- Oak Ridge for Science and Education Research Fellow at U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Daniel Williams
- Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Darren Lytle
- Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Laura Boczek
- Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, United States
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18
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Clements E, Irwin C, Taflanidis A, Bibby K, Nerenberg R. Impact of fixture purging on water age and excess water usage, considering stochastic water demands. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 245:120643. [PMID: 37748346 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Higher water ages are linked with water quality decline as chlorine dissipates, temperatures become more favorable for microbial growth, and metals and organic matter leach from the pipes. Water fixtures with automated purging devices can limit water age in premise plumbing systems, but also increase water use. To develop purging strategies that lower age while also minimizing water use, the stochastic nature of water demands must be considered. In this research, a hydraulic plumbing network model, with stochastic demands at fixtures, was used to compare water age and water use for five purging conditions: purging at regular intervals, "smart" purging (considering the time of last use), purging with different volumes of water, purging at different fixtures, and the purging with different levels of home occupancy. Higher purging frequency and volume resulted in lower water ages, but higher water use. Purging greatly reduced the variability in water ages, avoiding extreme ages entirely. Water age was minimized by scheduling the purging around occupancy behavior, such as before the occupants wake up or return from work. Scheduled purging used more water than smart purging. Purging after 12 h of nonuse used only 55% of the additional water required for purging every 12 h. Purging after 24 h of nonuse at the kitchen tap and shower used only 38% of the additional water required for purging every 24 h, while maintaining lower water ages and removing the variability in water ages. While larger purging volumes had a greater impact on water age, there were diminishing returns. Purging has a larger impact on low-occupancy homes because fixtures have less frequent use. Overall, this research provides a methodology to compare purging strategies that minimize both water age and water use. While the numerical results presented here are only valid for the specific layout and usage habits, they provide insights and trends applicable to other cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Clements
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences 156 Fitzpatrick Hall, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Christopher Irwin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences 156 Fitzpatrick Hall, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Alexandros Taflanidis
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences 156 Fitzpatrick Hall, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Kyle Bibby
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences 156 Fitzpatrick Hall, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Robert Nerenberg
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences 156 Fitzpatrick Hall, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA.
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19
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Fang J, Dai Z, Li X, van der Hoek JP, Savic D, Medema G, van der Meer W, Liu G. Service-lines as major contributor to water quality deterioration at customer ends. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 241:120143. [PMID: 37276656 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Biofilm detachment contributes to water quality deterioration. However, the contributions of biofilm detachment from different pipes have not been quantified or compared. Following the introduction of partial reverse osmosis (RO) in drinking water production, this study analyzed particles at customers' ends and tracked their origins to water distribution mains and service lines. For doing so, filter bags were installed in front of water meters to capture upstream detached particles, while biofilm from water main and service line were sampled by cutting pipe specimens. The results showed that elemental concentrations of the biofilm in mains were higher than those of service lines (54.3-268.5 vs. 27.1-44.4 μg/cm2), both dominated by Ca. Differently, filter bags were dominated by Fe/Mn (77.5-98.1%). After introducing RO, Ca significantly decreased in biofilms of mains but not service lines, but the released Fe/Mn rather than Ca arrived at customers' ends. The ATP concentrations of service lines were higher than mains, which decreased on mains but increased in service lines after introducing RO. For the core ASVs, 13/24 were shared by service lines (17), mains (21), and filter bags (17), which were assigned mainly to Nitrospira spp., Methylomagnum spp., Methylocytis spp., and IheB2-23 spp. According to source tracking results, service lines contributed more than mains to the particulate material collected by filter bags (57.6 ± 13.2% vs. 13.0 ± 11.6%). To the best of our knowledge, the present study provides the first evidence of service lines' direct and quantitative contributions to potential water quality deterioration at customers' ends. This highlights the need for the appropriate management of long-neglected service line pipes, e.g., regarding material selection, length optimization, and proper regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxing Fang
- Key Lab of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100085, Beijing, PR China; Membrane Science and Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500, AE, Enschede, the Netherlands; Sanitary Engineering, Department of Water Management, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, P.O. Box 5048, 2600, GA, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Zihan Dai
- Key Lab of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100085, Beijing, PR China
| | - Xiaoming Li
- Key Lab of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100085, Beijing, PR China
| | - Jan Peter van der Hoek
- Sanitary Engineering, Department of Water Management, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, P.O. Box 5048, 2600, GA, Delft, the Netherlands; Waternet, P.O. Box 94370, 1090, GJ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Dragan Savic
- KWR Water Research Institute, P.O. Box 1072, 3430, BB, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands; Centre for Water Systems, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QF, United Kingdom; University of Belgrade, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Department for Hydraulic and environmental engineering, Bulevar kralja Aleksandra 73, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Gertjan Medema
- Sanitary Engineering, Department of Water Management, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, P.O. Box 5048, 2600, GA, Delft, the Netherlands; KWR Water Research Institute, P.O. Box 1072, 3430, BB, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands; Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48823, USA
| | - Walter van der Meer
- Membrane Science and Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500, AE, Enschede, the Netherlands; Oasen Water Company, PO BOX 122, 2800, AC, Gouda, the Netherlands
| | - Gang Liu
- Key Lab of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100085, Beijing, PR China; Sanitary Engineering, Department of Water Management, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, P.O. Box 5048, 2600, GA, Delft, the Netherlands.
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20
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Yao M, Zhang Y, Dai Z, Ren A, Fang J, Li X, van der Meer W, Medema G, Rose JB, Liu G. Building water quality deterioration during water supply restoration after interruption: Influences of premise plumbing configuration. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 241:120149. [PMID: 37270942 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Premise plumbing plays an essential role in determining the final quality of drinking water consumed by customers. However, little is known about the influences of plumbing configuration on water quality changes. This study selected parallel premise plumbing in the same building with different configurations, i.e., laboratory and toilet plumbing. Water quality deteriorations induced by premise plumbing under regular and interrupted water supply were investigated. The results showed that most of the water quality parameters did not vary under regular supply, except Zn, which was significantly increased by laboratory plumbing (78.2 to 260.7 µg/l). For the bacterial community, the Chao1 index was significantly increased by both plumbing types to a similar level (52 to 104). Laboratory plumbing significantly changed the bacterial community, but toilet plumbing did not. Remarkably, water supply interruption/restoration led to serious water quality deterioration in both plumbing types but resulted in different changes. Physiochemically, discoloration was observed only in laboratory plumbing, along with sharp increases in Mn and Zn. Microbiologically, the increase in ATP was sharper in toilet plumbing than in laboratory plumbing. Some opportunistic pathogen-containing genera, e.g., Legionella spp. and Pseudomonas spp., were present in both plumbing types but only in disturbed samples. This study highlighted the esthetic, chemical, and microbiological risks associated with premise plumbing, for which system configuration plays an important role. Attention should be given to optimizing premise plumbing design for managing building water quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingchen Yao
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Sanitary engineering, Department of Water management, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, P.O. Box 5048, Delft, GA 2600, the Netherlands
| | - Yue Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zihan Dai
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Anran Ren
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaxing Fang
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; Membrane Science and Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, Enschede 7500AE, the Netherlands
| | - Xiaoming Li
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Walter van der Meer
- Membrane Science and Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, Enschede 7500AE, the Netherlands; Oasen Drinkwater, PO BOX 122, Gouda, AC 2800, the Netherlands
| | - Gertjan Medema
- Sanitary engineering, Department of Water management, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, P.O. Box 5048, Delft, GA 2600, the Netherlands; KWR Watercycle Research Institute, P.O. Box 1072, Nieuwegein 3430 BB, the Netherlands; Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, United States of America
| | - Joan B Rose
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, United States of America
| | - Gang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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21
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Hu D, Lin W, Zeng J, Zhang H, Wei Y, Yu X. To close or open the tank input water valve: Secondary water-supply systems with double tanks will induce a higher microbial risk. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 874:162301. [PMID: 36801325 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162301] [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: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Secondary water supply systems (SWSSs) are widely used to supply water to high-rise households in urban residential buildings. A special mode of double tanks with one used while another was spared was noted in SWSSs, which would facilitate microbial growth due to longer water stagnation in the spare tank. There are limited studies on the microbial risk of water samples in such SWSSs. In this study, the input water valves of the operational SWSSs consisting of double tanks were artificially closed and opened on time. Propidium monoazide-qPCR and high-throughput sequencing were performed to systematically investigate the microbial risks in water samples. After closing the tank input water valve, it may take several weeks to replace the bulk water in the spare tank. The residual chlorine concentration in the spare tank decreased by up to 85 % within 2-3 days compared with that in the input water. The microbial communities in the spare and used tank water samples clustered separately. High bacterial 16S rRNA gene abundance and pathogens-like sequences were detected in the spare tanks. Most antibiotic-resistant genes (11/15) in the spare tanks showed an increase in their relative abundance. Moreover, when both tanks within one SWSS were in use, the water quality of the used tank water samples deteriorated to varying degrees. Overall, running SWSSs with double tanks will reduce the replacement rate of water in one storage tank, and consumers who use taps served by the presented SWSSs may have a higher microbial risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Hu
- School of Public Health, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, China
| | - Wenfang Lin
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Jie Zeng
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto University Katsura, Nishikyo, Kyoto 615-8540, Japan
| | - Heng Zhang
- College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Yating Wei
- College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Xin Yu
- College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
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22
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Logan-Jackson AR, Batista MD, Healy W, Ullah T, Whelton AJ, Bartrand TA, Proctor C. A Critical Review on the Factors that Influence Opportunistic Premise Plumbing Pathogens: From Building Entry to Fixtures in Residences. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:6360-6372. [PMID: 37036108 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c04277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Residential buildings provide unique conditions for opportunistic premise plumbing pathogen (OPPP) exposure via aerosolized water droplets produced by showerheads, faucets, and tubs. The objective of this review was to critically evaluate the existing literature that assessed the impact of potentially enhancing conditions to OPPP occurrence associated with residential plumbing and to point out knowledge gaps. Comprehensive studies on the topic were found to be lacking. Major knowledge gaps identified include the assessment of OPPP growth in the residential plumbing, from building entry to fixtures, and evaluation of the extent of the impact of typical residential plumbing design (e.g., trunk and branch and manifold), components (e.g., valves and fixtures), water heater types and temperature setting of operation, and common pipe materials (copper, PEX, and PVC/CPVC). In addition, impacts of the current plumbing code requirements on OPPP responses have not been assessed by any study and a lack of guidelines for OPPP risk management in residences was identified. Finally, the research required to expand knowledge on OPPP amplification in residences was discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alshae' R Logan-Jackson
- Building Energy and Environment Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - Marylia Duarte Batista
- Building Energy and Environment Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - William Healy
- Building Energy and Environment Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - Tania Ullah
- Building Energy and Environment Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - Andrew J Whelton
- Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Division of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Timothy A Bartrand
- Environmental Science, Policy, and Research Institute, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania 19004, United States
| | - Caitlin Proctor
- Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Division of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
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23
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Valentine C. Architectural Allostatic Overloading: Exploring a Connection between Architectural Form and Allostatic Overloading. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20095637. [PMID: 37174157 PMCID: PMC10178048 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20095637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
This paper examines, conceptually, the relationship between stress-inducing architectural features and allostatic overload by drawing on literature from neuroimmunology and neuroarchitecture. The studies reviewed from the field of neuroimmunology indicate that chronic or repeated exposure to stress-inducing events may overwhelm the body's regulatory system, resulting in a process termed allostatic overload. While there is evidence from the field of neuroarchitecture that short-term exposure to particular architectural features produce acute stress responses, there is yet to be a study on the relationship between stress-inducing architectural features and allostatic load. This paper considers how to design such a study by reviewing the two primary methods used to measure allostatic overload: biomarkers and clinimetrics. Of particular interest is the observation that the clinical biomarkers used to measure stress in neuroarchitectural studies differ substantially from those used to measure allostatic load. Therefore, the paper concludes that while the observed stress responses to particular architectural forms may indicate allostatic activity, further research is needed to determine whether these stress responses are leading to allostatic overload. Consequently, a discrete longitudinal public health study is advised, one which engages the clinical biomarkers indicative of allostatic activity and incorporates contextual data using a clinimetric approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cleo Valentine
- Department of Architecture, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1PX, UK
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24
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Vosloo S, Huo L, Chauhan U, Cotto I, Gincley B, Vilardi KJ, Yoon B, Bian K, Gabrielli M, Pieper KJ, Stubbins A, Pinto AJ. Gradual Recovery of Building Plumbing-Associated Microbial Communities after Extended Periods of Altered Water Demand during the COVID-19 Pandemic. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:3248-3259. [PMID: 36795589 PMCID: PMC9969676 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c07333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 pandemic-related building restrictions heightened drinking water microbiological safety concerns post-reopening due to the unprecedented nature of commercial building closures. Starting with phased reopening (i.e., June 2020), we sampled drinking water for 6 months from three commercial buildings with reduced water usage and four occupied residential households. Samples were analyzed using flow cytometry and full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing along with comprehensive water chemistry characterization. Prolonged building closures resulted in 10-fold higher microbial cell counts in the commercial buildings [(2.95 ± 3.67) × 105 cells mL-1] than in residential households [(1.11 ± 0.58) × 104 cells mL-1] with majority intact cells. While flushing reduced cell counts and increased disinfection residuals, microbial communities in commercial buildings remained distinct from those in residential households on the basis of flow cytometric fingerprinting [Bray-Curtis dissimilarity (dBC) = 0.33 ± 0.07] and 16S rRNA gene sequencing (dBC = 0.72 ± 0.20). An increase in water demand post-reopening resulted in gradual convergence in microbial communities in water samples collected from commercial buildings and residential households. Overall, we find that the gradual recovery of water demand played a key role in the recovery of building plumbing-associated microbial communities as compared to short-term flushing after extended periods of reduced water demand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solize Vosloo
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 021115, United States
| | - Linxuan Huo
- School
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 311 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30318, United States
| | - Umang Chauhan
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 021115, United States
| | - Irmarie Cotto
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 021115, United States
| | - Benjamin Gincley
- School
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 311 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30318, United States
| | - Katherine J. Vilardi
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 021115, United States
| | - Bryan Yoon
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 021115, United States
| | - Kaiqin Bian
- School
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 311 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30318, United States
| | - Marco Gabrielli
- Dipartimento
di Ingegneria Civile e Ambientale - Sezione Ambientale, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Kelsey J. Pieper
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 021115, United States
| | - Aron Stubbins
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 021115, United States
| | - Ameet J. Pinto
- School
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 311 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30318, United States
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25
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Foote A, Schutz K, Zhao Z, DiGianivittorio P, Korwin-Mihavics BR, LiPuma JJ, Wargo MJ. Characterizing Biofilm Interactions between Ralstonia insidiosa and Chryseobacterium gleum. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0410522. [PMID: 36744887 PMCID: PMC10100896 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04105-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ralstonia insidiosa and Chryseobacterium gleum are bacterial species commonly found in potable water systems, and these two species contribute to the robustness of biofilm formation in a model six-species community from the International Space Station (ISS) potable water system. Here, we set about characterizing the interaction between these two ISS-derived strains and examining the extent to which this interaction extends to other strains and species in these two genera. The enhanced biofilm formation between the ISS strains of R. insidiosa and C. gleum is robust to starting inoculum and temperature and occurs in some but not all tested growth media, and evidence does not support a soluble mediator or coaggregation mechanism. These findings shed light on the ISS R. insidiosa and C. gleum interaction, though such enhancement is not common between these species based on our examination of other R. insidiosa and C. gleum strains, as well as other species of Ralstonia and Chryseobacterium. Thus, while the findings presented here increase our understanding of the ISS potable water model system, not all our findings are broadly extrapolatable to strains found outside of the ISS. IMPORTANCE Biofilms present in drinking water systems and terminal fixtures are important for human health, pipe corrosion, and water taste. Here, we examine the enhanced biofilm of cocultures for two very common bacteria from potable water systems: Ralstonia insidiosa and Chryseobacterium gleum. While strains originally isolated on the International Space Station show enhanced dual-species biofilm formation, terrestrial strains do not show the same interaction properties. This study contributes to our understanding of these two species in both dual-culture and monoculture biofilm formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Foote
- Cellular, Molecular, and Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Kristin Schutz
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Zirui Zhao
- Department of Biology, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Pauline DiGianivittorio
- Cellular, Molecular, and Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Bethany R. Korwin-Mihavics
- Cellular, Molecular, and Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - John J. LiPuma
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Matthew J. Wargo
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, USA
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26
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Valentine C. Health Implications of Virtual Architecture: An Interdisciplinary Exploration of the Transferability of Findings from Neuroarchitecture. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2735. [PMID: 36768106 PMCID: PMC9915076 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Virtual architecture has been increasingly relied on to evaluate the health impacts of physical architecture. In this health research, exposure to virtual architecture has been used as a proxy for exposure to physical architecture. Despite the growing body of research on the health implications of physical architecture, there is a paucity of research examining the long-term health impacts of prolonged exposure to virtual architecture. In response, this paper considers: what can proxy studies, which use virtual architecture to assess the physiological response to physical architecture, tell us about the impact of extended exposure to virtual architecture on human health? The paper goes on to suggest that the applicability of these findings to virtual architecture may be limited by certain confounding variables when virtual architecture is experienced for a prolonged period of time. This paper explores the potential impact of two of these confounding variables: multisensory integration and gravitational perception. This paper advises that these confounding variables are unique to extended virtual architecture exposure and may not be captured by proxy studies that aim to capture the impact of physical architecture on human health through acute exposure to virtual architecture. While proxy studies may be suitable for measuring some aspects of the impact of both physical and virtual architecture on human health, this paper argues that they may be insufficient to fully capture the unintended consequences of extended exposure to virtual architecture on human health. Therefore, in the face of the increasing use of virtual architectural environments, the author calls for the establishment of a subfield of neuroarchitectural health research that empirically examines the physiological impacts of extended exposure to virtual architecture in its own right.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cleo Valentine
- Department of Architecture, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1PX, UK
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27
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Sójka O, Keskin D, van der Mei HC, van Rijn P, Gagliano MC. Nanogel-based coating as an alternative strategy for biofilm control in drinking water distribution systems. BIOFOULING 2023; 39:121-134. [PMID: 36946276 DOI: 10.1080/08927014.2023.2190023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Biofilm formation and detachment in drinking water distribution systems (DWDS) can lead to several operational issues. Here, an alternative biofilm control strategy of limiting bacterial adhesion by application of a poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide)-based nanogel coating on DWDS pipe walls was investigated. The nanogel coatings were successfully deposited on surfaces of four polymeric pipe materials commonly applied in DWDS construction. Nanogel-coated and non-coated pipe materials were characterized in terms of their surface hydrophilicity and roughness. Four DWDS relevant bacterial strains, representing Sphingomonas and Pseudomonas, were used to evaluate the anti-adhesive performance of the coating in 4 h adhesion and 24 h biofilm assays. The presence of the nanogel coating resulted in adhesion reduction up to 97%, and biofilm reduction up to 98%, compared to non-coated surfaces. These promising results motivate further investigation of nanogel coatings as a strategy for biofilm prevention in DWDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Sójka
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Damla Keskin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Henny C van der Mei
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Patrick van Rijn
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Maria Cristina Gagliano
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands
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28
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Interactions between Penicillium brevicompactum/Penicillium expansum and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus isolated from drinking water in biofilm development and control. Int J Food Microbiol 2023; 384:109980. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2022.109980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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29
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Chen X, Lian XY, Wang Y, Chen S, Sun YR, Tao GL, Tan QW, Feng JC. Impacts of hydraulic conditions on microplastics biofilm development, shear stresses distribution, and microbial community structures in drinking water distribution pipes. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 325:116510. [PMID: 36265230 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Both microplastic and biofilm are contamination sources in drinking water, but their integrated impacts on water quality have been rarely studied, especially in drinking water distribution pipes with complex hydraulic conditions. This study explored the impacts of hydraulic conditions (0-2 m/s) on microplastic biofilm (MP-BM) development, shear stresses distribution, and microbial community structures. The research was conducted for two weeks using a pilot test device to simulate practical water pipes. The following were the primary conclusions: (1) According to morphology analysis, clusters (>5 μm) significantly increased in the plastisphere when the flow velocity ranged from 0.55 m/s to 0.95 m/s, and average size of clusters decreased when the flow velocity ranged from 1.14 m/s to 1.40 m/s (2) Characteristics of MP-BM impact shear stress on both plastisphere and pipe wall biofilm. Shear stresses were positively correlated with flow velocity, number of MP-BM, and size of MP-BM, while negatively correlated with diameters of pipes. (3) 31 genera changed strictly and monotonously with the fluid velocity, accounting for 15.42%. Opportunistic pathogens in MP-BM such as Sediminibacterium, Curvibacter, and Flavobacterium were more sensitive to hydraulic conditions. Moreover, microplastics (<100 μm) deserve more attention to avoid human ingestion and to prevent mechanical damage and bio-chemical risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Chen
- College of Defense Engineering, The Army Engineering University of PLA, Nanjing, 210007, China; South Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, 511458, China; School of Ecology, Environment, and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Xiao-Ying Lian
- College of Defense Engineering, The Army Engineering University of PLA, Nanjing, 210007, China
| | - Yi Wang
- College of Defense Engineering, The Army Engineering University of PLA, Nanjing, 210007, China.
| | - Sheng Chen
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yi-Ran Sun
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Guo-Lin Tao
- College of Defense Engineering, The Army Engineering University of PLA, Nanjing, 210007, China
| | - Qiao-Wen Tan
- Institute for Advanced Study, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Jing-Chun Feng
- South Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, 511458, China; School of Ecology, Environment, and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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Entezari S, Al MA, Mostashari A, Ganjidoust H, Ayati B, Yang J. Microplastics in urban waters and its effects on microbial communities: a critical review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:88410-88431. [PMID: 36327084 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23810-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) pollution is one of the emerging threats to the water and terrestrial environment, forcing a new environmental challenge due to the growing trend of plastic released into the environment. Synthetic and non-synthetic plastic components can be found in rivers, lakes/reservoirs, oceans, mountains, and even remote areas, such as the Arctic and Antarctic ice sheets. MPs' main challenge is identifying, measuring, and evaluating their impacts on environmental behaviors, such as carbon and nutrient cycles, water and wastewater microbiome, and the associated side effects. However, until now, no standardized methodical protocols have been proposed for comparing the results of studies in different environments, especially in urban water and wastewater. This review briefly discusses MPs' sources, fate, and transport in urban waters and explains methodological uncertainty. The effects of MPs on urban water microbiomes, including urban runoff, sewage wastewater, stagnant water in plumbing networks, etc., are also examined in depth. Furthermore, this study highlights the pathway of MPs and their transport vectors to different parts of ecosystems and human life, particularly through mediating microbial communities, antibiotic-resistant genes, and biogeochemical cycles. Overall, we have briefly highlighted the present research gaps, the lack of appropriate policy for evaluating microplastics and their interactions with urban water microbiomes, and possible future initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saber Entezari
- Environmental Engineering Division, Faculty of Civil & Env. Eng., TMU, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mamun Abdullah Al
- Aquatic Eco-Health Group, Fujian Key Laboratory of Watershed Ecology, Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1799 Jimei Road, Xiamen, 361021, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Amir Mostashari
- Environmental Engineering Division, Faculty of Civil & Env. Eng., TMU, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Ganjidoust
- Environmental Engineering Division, Faculty of Civil & Env. Eng., TMU, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Bita Ayati
- Environmental Engineering Division, Faculty of Civil & Env. Eng., TMU, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jun Yang
- Aquatic Eco-Health Group, Fujian Key Laboratory of Watershed Ecology, Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1799 Jimei Road, Xiamen, 361021, China
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Swanson CS, Williams JM, He Q. Risks of Exposure to Microbial Contamination in Eyewash Stations. Am J Infect Control 2022:S0196-6553(22)00807-0. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2022.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Zhang H, Liu X, Huang T, Ma B, Sun W, Zhao K, Sekar R, Xing Y. Stagnation trigger changes to tap water quality in winter season: Novel insights into bacterial community activity and composition. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 844:157240. [PMID: 35817116 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157240] [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: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The drinking water distribution system is important for water supply and it affects the quality of the drinking water. Indoor pipeline water quality is regulated by physical, hydraulic and biological elements, such as indoor temperature and stagnation. In this work, the effects of indoor heating and overnight stagnation on the variation in bacterial community structure and the total cell count were assessed by full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing and flow cytometry, respectively. The results exhibited that the average intact cell count was 6.99 × 104 cells/mL and the low nucleic acid (LNA) bacteria was 4.48 × 104 cells/mL after stagnation. The average concentration of total and intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) was 3.64 × 10-12 gATP/mL and 3.13 × 10-17 gATP/cell in stagnant water, respectively. The growth of LNA cells played a crucial role in increasing ATP. The dominant phylum observed was Proteobacteria (87.21 %), followed by Actinobacteria (8.25 %). Opportunistic pathogens increased the risk of disease in stagnant water (up to 1.2-fold for Pseudomonas sp. and 5.8-fold for Mycobacterium sp.). Meanwhile, structural equation model (SEM) and redundancy analysis (RDA) also illustrated that water temperature, residual chlorine and Fe significantly affected the abundance and composition of bacterial community. Taking together, these results show response of tap water quality to overnight stagnation and indoor heating, and provide scientific basis for drinking water security management in winter season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haihan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, MOE, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, China; Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, China.
| | - Xiang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, MOE, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, China; Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, China
| | - Tinglin Huang
- Key Laboratory of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, MOE, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, China; Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, China
| | - Ben Ma
- Key Laboratory of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, MOE, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, China; Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, China
| | - Weimin Sun
- National-Regional Joint Engineering Research Center for Soil Pollution Control and Remediation in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Integrated Agro-environmental Pollution Control and Management, Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Environmental Pollution and Control, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kexin Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, MOE, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, China; Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, China
| | - Raju Sekar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yan Xing
- Shaanxi Environmental Monitoring Center, Xi'an, China
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Su Z, Liu T, Men Y, Li S, Graham N, Yu W. Understanding point-of-use tap water quality: From instrument measurement to intelligent analysis using sample filtration. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 225:119205. [PMID: 36215843 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.119205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In most cases, point-of-use tap water quality is not routinely monitored due to widely-dispersed sampling sites and the costly tests. Although previous studies have revealed the variation of drinking water quality during distribution in municipal networks, the influence of aging pipes in buildings on quality is still unknown and this makes it difficult for water utilities to conduct regular maintenance. Herein, we have undertaken a survey of tap water samples across 8 districts in Beijing (China) to evaluate the potential effects of pipe age on point-of-use water quality, including turbidity, organic matter characteristics, and bacterial community. By grouping the collected samples according to the pipe age and source water respectively, the results suggested that bacterial diversity is significantly influenced by the pipe age. However, bacterial community structure is clearly influenced by the source water. Similarly, aging pipes in buildings are also responsible for the deterioration of the final water quality, and their effects have been closely linked to selected water quality parameters by evaluating the relevant factors. Moreover, the interrelationships between physico-chemical parameters and bacteria abundance were identified. For example, pH, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ and K+ showed a positive relationship with Bacillus abundance. In addition, an intelligent analysis method for understanding pipe age, organic matter concentration, and hardness (i.e., Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentration), based on image analysis of filtered membranes has been developed. The accuracy of prediction was encouraging, but can be improved with the collection of more data from tap water samples. We expect that this method can be exploited by the public to monitor their tap water and provide a feasible and cost-effective approach for water suppliers to locate aging/deteriorating pipes which need to be replaced or maintained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoyang Su
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Ting Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yujie Men
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, United States
| | - Shuo Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Nigel Graham
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Wenzheng Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China.
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Chen X, Tao G, Wang Y, Wei W, Lian X, Shi Y, Chen S, Sun Y. Interactive impacts of microplastics and chlorine on biological stability and microbial community formation in stagnant water. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 221:118734. [PMID: 35714469 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Possibility of human exposure to microplastics (MPs) in water environment has been escalating, and subsequent challenges of MPs to biostability and biosafety in drinking water deserve more attention, especially in stagnant water. The present study explored the integrated impacts of MPs and chlorine on disinfection kinetics, microbial growth, and microbial community formation in drinking water, by setting MPs or microplastic-biofilm (MP-BM) under different disinfection conditions. The following were the primary conclusions: (1) The presence of MP and MP-BM led to the deterioration of water indices (especially turbidity) when chlorine was less than 1 mg/L. (2) MP/MP-BM accelerated the decay of disinfectants and MP-BM consumed more rapidly. Meanwhile, chlorine contributed to the level of BRP, ranging from 4.78 × 105 CFU/mL to 1.42 × 107 CFU/mL. (3) MP/MP-BM and chlorine integrally shaped microbial communities in water samples and biofilm samples. Microbial dissimilarity between isolated and hybrid MP-BM indicated manners of microbial field or non-contact communication. Microbial abundance and OPs were effectively controlled when chlorine was over 1 mg/L. (4) According to time-lag differential equations simulation, impulsive chlorination contributed to controlling microbial risks and DBPs induced by MP/MP-BM and water stagnation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Chen
- College of Defense Engineering, The Army Engineering University of PLA, Nanjing 210007, China
| | - Guolin Tao
- College of Defense Engineering, The Army Engineering University of PLA, Nanjing 210007, China
| | - Yi Wang
- College of Defense Engineering, The Army Engineering University of PLA, Nanjing 210007, China.
| | - Weizhi Wei
- College of Defense Engineering, The Army Engineering University of PLA, Nanjing 210007, China.
| | - Xiaoying Lian
- College of Defense Engineering, The Army Engineering University of PLA, Nanjing 210007, China
| | - Yue Shi
- College of Defense Engineering, The Army Engineering University of PLA, Nanjing 210007, China
| | - Sheng Chen
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yiran Sun
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
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Pilot investigation on biostability of drinking water distribution systems under water source switching. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 106:5273-5286. [PMID: 35794486 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-022-12050-6] [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: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Water quality deterioration of drinking water distribution systems (DWDSs) caused by water source switching has been reported previously. However, systematic investigation of the biostability of DWDS under water source switching is limited. Aged pipes, including three commonly used pipe materials dug out from a practical DWDS, were used to systematically investigate the biofilm stability mechanism of DWDS under water source switching to quality-improved water. An increase in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentration in the bulk water during the initial stage of the switching period was observed, indicating the risk of biofilm release through aged pipe surfaces after water source switching. Sloughing of biofilms might contribute to temporary instability. From day 35, the ATP concentration in the polyethylene (PE) and plastic stainless steel composite (PS) pipes were maintained at approximately 2.40 and 2.56 ng/L, respectively. In contrast, the ATP concentration in the ductile iron (DI) pipes was higher, at approximately 3.43 ng/L from day 42. The water quality variation could cause areas of the biofilm to slough and reduce the biomass of biofilm, causing partial alteration of the microbial community. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing-based functional prediction revealed that the biofilm could increase the abundance of chlorine-resistant bacteria attributed to the increase in Pseudomonas and Methylobacterium after switching to quality-improved water. Moreover, the profiles of specific pathways linked to human diseases, antibiotic resistance, and antibiotic biosynthesis revealed that the safety of the biofilm could improve after switching to quality-improved water. KEY POINTS: • The PE and PS biofilm showed improved resistance to water quality perturbation. • Greater number of Methylobacterium was found in the biofilm after water source switching. • 3.16S gene-based metagenomics prediction revealed that the safety of the biofilm under water source switching.
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36
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Chen L, Li X, van der Meer W, Medema G, Liu G. Capturing and tracing the spatiotemporal variations of planktonic and particle-associated bacteria in an unchlorinated drinking water distribution system. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 219:118589. [PMID: 35597222 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118589] [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: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The aperiodic changes in the quantity and community of planktonic and particle-associated bacteria have hampered the understanding and management of microbiological water quality in drinking water distribution systems. In this study, online sampling was combined with the microbial fingerprint-based SourceTracker2 to capture and trace the spatiotemporal variations in planktonic and particle-associated bacteria in an unchlorinated distribution system. The results showed that spatially, the particle load significantly increased, while in contrast, the quantity of particle-associated bacteria decreased sharply from the treatment plant to the distribution network. Similar to the trend of particle-associated bacterial diversity, the number of observed OTUs first slightly decreased from the treatment plant to the transportation network and then sharply increased from the transportation network to the distribution network. The SourceTracker2 results revealed that the contribution of particle-associated bacteria from the treatment plant decreased along the distribution distance. The spatial results indicate the dominant role of sedimentation of particles from the treatment plant, while the observed increases in particles and the associated bacteria mainly originated from the distribution network, which were confirmed directly by the increased contributions of loose deposits and biofilm. Temporally, the daily peaks of particle-associated bacterial quantity, observed OTU number, and contributions of loose deposits and biofilms were captured during water demand peaks (e.g., 18-21 h). The temporal results reveal clear linkages between the distribution system harboring bacteria (e.g., within loose deposits and biofilms) and the planktonic and particle-associated bacteria flowing through the distribution system, which are dynamically connected and interact. This study highlights that the spatiotemporal variations in planktonic and particle-associated bacteria are valuable and unneglectable for the widely on-going sampling campaigns required by water quality regulations and/or drinking water microbiological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihua Chen
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, P.R China; Department of Water Management, Sanitary Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, P.O. Box 5048, Delft 2600 GA, the Netherlands
| | - Xuan Li
- Department of Water Management, Sanitary Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, P.O. Box 5048, Delft 2600 GA, the Netherlands
| | - Walter van der Meer
- Membrane Science and Technology, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, Enschede 7522 NB, the Netherlands; Oasen Drinkwater, Nieuwe Gouwe O.Z. 3, Gouda 2801 SB, the Netherlands
| | - Gertjan Medema
- Department of Water Management, Sanitary Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, P.O. Box 5048, Delft 2600 GA, the Netherlands; KWR Water Research Institute, P.O. Box 1072, Nieuwegein 3430 BB, the Netherlands; Michigan State University, 1405 S Harrison Rd, East-Lansing, MI 48823, United States
| | - Gang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, P.R China; Department of Water Management, Sanitary Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, P.O. Box 5048, Delft 2600 GA, the Netherlands.
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Bruno A, Agostinetto G, Fumagalli S, Ghisleni G, Sandionigi A. It’s a Long Way to the Tap: Microbiome and DNA-Based Omics at the Core of Drinking Water Quality. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19137940. [PMID: 35805598 PMCID: PMC9266242 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19137940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Microbial communities interact with us and affect our health in ways that are only beginning to be understood. Microorganisms have been detected in every ecosystem on Earth, as well as in any built environment that has been investigated. Drinking water sources, drinking water treatment plants and distribution systems provide peculiar microbial ecological niches, dismantling the belief of the “biological simplicity” of drinking water. Nevertheless, drinking water microbiomes are understudied compared to other microbiomes. Recent DNA sequencing and meta-omics advancements allow a deeper understanding of drinking water microbiota. Thus, moving beyond the limits of day-to-day testing for specific pathogenic microbes, new approaches aim at predicting microbiome changes driven by disturbances at the macro-scale and overtime. This will foster an effective and proactive management of water sources, improving the drinking water supply system and the monitoring activities to lower public health risk. Here, we want to give a new angle on drinking water microbiome research. Starting from a selection of 231 scientific publications on this topic, we emphasize the value of biodiversity in drinking water ecosystems and how it can be related with industrialization. We then discuss how microbiome research can support sustainable drinking water management, encouraging collaborations across sectors and involving the society through responsible research and innovation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Bruno
- Biotechnology and Biosciences Department, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy; (G.A.); (S.F.); (G.G.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Giulia Agostinetto
- Biotechnology and Biosciences Department, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy; (G.A.); (S.F.); (G.G.)
| | - Sara Fumagalli
- Biotechnology and Biosciences Department, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy; (G.A.); (S.F.); (G.G.)
| | - Giulia Ghisleni
- Biotechnology and Biosciences Department, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy; (G.A.); (S.F.); (G.G.)
- Institut Jacques Monod, Université Paris Cité, CNRS, 75013 Paris, France
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Li J, Ren A, van der Mark E, Liu G. Direct evidence of microbiological water quality changes on bacterial quantity and community caused by plumbing system. J Environ Sci (China) 2022; 116:175-183. [PMID: 35219416 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2021.04.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Drinking water quality deteriorates from treatment plant to customer taps, especially in the plumbing system. There is no direct evidence about what the differences are contributed by plumbing system. This study compared the water quality in the water main and at customer tap by preparing a sampling tap on the water main. The biomass was quantified by adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and the microbial community was profiled by 454 pyrosequencing. The results showed that in distribution pipes, biofilm contributed >94% of the total biomass, while loose deposits showed little contribution (< 2%) because of the low amount of loose deposits. The distribution of biological stable water had minor effects on the microbiocidal water quality regarding both quantity (ATP 1 ng/L vs. 1.7 ng/L) and community of the bacteria. Whereas the plumbing system has significant contribution to the increase of active biomass (1.7 ng/L vs. 2.9 ng/L) and the changes of bacterial community. The relative abundance of Sphingomonas spp. at tap (22%) was higher than that at water main (2%), while the relative abundance of Pseudomonas spp. in tap water (15%) was lower than that in the water from street water main (29%). Though only one location was prepared and studied, the present study showed that the protocol of making sampling tap on water main offered directly evidences about the impacts of plumbing system on tap water quality, which makes it possible to distinguish and study the processes in distribution system and plumbing system separately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Li
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Anran Ren
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ed van der Mark
- Dunea Water Company, Plaza of the United Nations 11-15, Zoetermeer 2700 AT, the Netherlands
| | - Gang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Sanitary engineering, Department of Water management, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, Delft 2600 GA, the Netherlands.
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39
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Ma L, Jiang XT, Guan L, Li B, Zhang T. Nationwide biogeography and health implications of bacterial communities in household drinking water. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 215:118238. [PMID: 35278916 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Drinking water at the point of use harbors microorganisms that may pose potential risks to human health. However, the microbial diversity and health impacts of household drinking water are poorly understood, since culture-based methods only target on specific microorganisms and low biomass of drinking water hinders a high-throughput profiling. Here, we used an optimized workflow to efficiently collect microorganisms from low-biomass drinking water and performed deep sequencing of 16S rRNA genes to profile the bacterial diversity and biogeography of 110 household drinking water samples covering 38 cities of 29 provinces/regions in China, and further explored environmental drivers and potential health implications. Our analyses revealed a diverse drinking water community comprising a total of 22,771 operational taxonomic units (OTUs). The spatial turnover of drinking water communities is scale-dependent and appears to be driven largely by rainfall and water source river. The identified potential pathogenic species may have the possibility of causing health risks. Our novel insights enhance the current understanding of the diversity and biogeography of drinking water bacterial communities within a theoretical ecological framework and have further important implications for safe drinking water management and public health protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Ma
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China; Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, Center for Environmental Engineering Research, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Technology Innovation Center for Land Spatial Eco-restoration in Metropolitan Area, Ministry of Natural Resources, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Tao Jiang
- Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, Center for Environmental Engineering Research, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Lei Guan
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bing Li
- Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, Center for Environmental Engineering Research, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
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40
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Ishaq SL, Turner SM, Tudor MS, MacRae JD, Hamlin H, Kilchenmann J, Lee G, Bouchard D. Many Questions Remain Unanswered About the Role of Microbial Transmission in Epizootic Shell Disease in American Lobsters (Homarus americanus). Front Microbiol 2022; 13:824950. [PMID: 35602067 PMCID: PMC9121004 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.824950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of research on lobster species’ biology, ecology, and microbiology, there are still unresolved questions about the microbial communities which associate in or on lobsters under healthy or diseased states, microbial acquisition, as well as microbial transmission between lobsters and between lobsters and their environment. There is an untapped opportunity for metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, and metabolomics to be added to the existing wealth of knowledge to more precisely track disease transmission, etiology, and host-microbe dynamics. Moreover, we need to gain this knowledge of wild lobster microbiomes before climate change alters environmental and host-microbial communities more than it likely already has, throwing a socioeconomically critical industry into disarray. As with so many animal species, the effects of climate change often manifest as changes in movement, and in this perspective piece, we consider the movement of the American lobster (Homarus americanus), Atlantic Ocean currents, and the microorganisms associated with either.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne L. Ishaq
- School of Food and Agriculture, University of Maine, Orono, ME, United States
- Aquaculture Research Institute, Orono, ME, United States
- *Correspondence: Suzanne L. Ishaq,
| | - Sarah M. Turner
- Aquaculture Research Institute, Orono, ME, United States
- Cooperative Extension, University of Maine, Orono, ME, United States
| | - M. Scarlett Tudor
- Aquaculture Research Institute, Orono, ME, United States
- Cooperative Extension, University of Maine, Orono, ME, United States
| | - Jean D. MacRae
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME, United States
| | - Heather Hamlin
- Aquaculture Research Institute, Orono, ME, United States
- School of Marine Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, ME, United States
| | - Joelle Kilchenmann
- School of Marine Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, ME, United States
| | - Grace Lee
- Department of Neuroscience, Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME, United States
| | - Deborah Bouchard
- Aquaculture Research Institute, Orono, ME, United States
- Cooperative Extension, University of Maine, Orono, ME, United States
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Rahmatika I, Kurisu F, Furumai H, Kasuga I. Dynamics of the Microbial Community and Opportunistic Pathogens after Water Stagnation in the Premise Plumbing of a Building. Microbes Environ 2022; 37. [PMID: 35321996 PMCID: PMC8958293 DOI: 10.1264/jsme2.me21065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In premise plumbing, microbial water quality may deteriorate under certain conditions, such as stagnation. Stagnation results in a loss of disinfectant residual, which may lead to the regrowth of microorganisms, including opportunistic pathogens. In the present study, microbial regrowth was investigated at eight faucets in a building over four seasons in one year. Water samples were obtained before and after 24 h of stagnation. In the first 100 mL after stagnation, total cell counts measured by flow cytometry increased 14- to 220-fold with a simultaneous decrease in free chlorine from 0.17–0.36 mg L–1 to <0.02 mg L–1. After stagnation, total cell counts were not significantly different among seasons; however, the composition of the microbial community varied seasonally. The relative abundance of Pseudomonas spp. was dominant in winter, whereas Sphingomonas spp. were dominant in most faucets after stagnation in other seasons. Opportunistic pathogens, such as Legionella pneumophila, Mycobacterium avium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acanthamoeba spp., were below the quantification limit for real-time quantitative PCR in all samples. However, sequences related to other opportunistic pathogens, including L. feeleii, L. maceachernii, L. micdadei, M. paragordonae, M. gordonae, and M. haemophilum, were detected. These results indicate that health risks may increase after stagnation due to the regrowth of opportunistic pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iftita Rahmatika
- Department of Urban Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo
| | - Futoshi Kurisu
- Research Center for Water Environment Technology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo
| | - Hiroaki Furumai
- Research Center for Water Environment Technology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo
| | - Ikuro Kasuga
- Department of Urban Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo
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Variation in the Structure and Composition of Bacterial Communities within Drinking Water Fountains in Melbourne, Australia. WATER 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/w14060908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Modern drinking water distributions systems (DWDSs) have been designed to transport treated or untreated water safely to the consumer. DWDSs are complex environments where microorganisms are able to create their own niches within water, biofilm or sediment. This study was conducted on twelve drinking fountains (of three different types, namely types A, B and C) within the Melbourne (Australia) city area with the aim to (i) characterize the water quality and viable and total counts at each fountain, (ii) compare the differences in the structure and diversity of the bacterial community between bulk water and biofilm and (iii) determine differences between the bacterial communities based on fountain type. Samples of water and biofilm were assessed using both culture-dependent and culture-independent techniques. Heterotrophic plate counts of water samples ranged from 0.5 to 107.5 CFU mL−1, and as expected, total cell counts (cells mL−1) were, on average, 2.9 orders of magnitude higher. Based on the mean relative abundance of operational taxonomic units (OTUs), ANOSIM showed that the structure of the bacterial communities in drinking water and biofilm varied significantly (R = 0.58, p = 0.001). Additionally, ANOSIM showed that across fountain types (in water), the bacterial community was more diverse in fountain type C compared to type A (p < 0.001) and type B (p < 0.001). 16S rRNA next-generation sequencing revealed that the bacterial communities in both water and biofilm were dominated by only seven phyla, with Proteobacteria accounting for 71.3% of reads in water and 68.9% in biofilm. The next most abundant phylum was Actinobacteria (10.4% water; 11.7% biofilm). In water, the genus with the highest overall mean relative abundance was Sphingomonas (24.2%), while Methylobacterium had the highest mean relative abundance in biofilm samples (54.7%). At the level of genus and higher, significant differences in dominance were found across fountain types. In water, Solirubrobacterales (order) were present in type C fountains at a relative abundance of 17%, while the mean relative abundance of Sphingomonas sp. in type C fountains was less than half that in types A (25%) and B (43%). In biofilm, the relative abundance of Sphingomonas sp. was more than double in type A (10%) fountains compared to types B (4%) and C (5%), and Sandarakinorhabdus sp. were high in type A fountains (6%) and low in types B and C (1%). Overall this research showed that there were significant differences in the composition of bacterial communities in water and biofilm from the same site. Furthermore, significant variation exists between microbial communities present in the fountain types, which may be related to age. Long-established environments may lead to a greater chance of certain bacteria gaining abilities such as increased disinfection resistance. Variations between the structure of the bacterial community residing in water and biofilm and differences between fountain types show that it is essential to regularly test samples from individual locations to determine microbial quality.
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Proctor C, Garner E, Hamilton KA, Ashbolt NJ, Caverly LJ, Falkinham JO, Haas CN, Prevost M, Prevots DR, Pruden A, Raskin L, Stout J, Haig SJ. Tenets of a holistic approach to drinking water-associated pathogen research, management, and communication. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 211:117997. [PMID: 34999316 PMCID: PMC8821414 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, drinking water-associated pathogens that can cause infections in immunocompromised or otherwise susceptible individuals (henceforth referred to as DWPI), sometimes referred to as opportunistic pathogens or opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens, have received considerable attention. DWPI research has largely been conducted by experts focusing on specific microorganisms or within silos of expertise. The resulting mitigation approaches optimized for a single microorganism may have unintended consequences and trade-offs for other DWPI or other interests (e.g., energy costs and conservation). For example, the ecological and epidemiological issues characteristic of Legionella pneumophila diverge from those relevant for Mycobacterium avium and other nontuberculous mycobacteria. Recent advances in understanding DWPI as part of a complex microbial ecosystem inhabiting drinking water systems continues to reveal additional challenges: namely, how can all microorganisms of concern be managed simultaneously? In order to protect public health, we must take a more holistic approach in all aspects of the field, including basic research, monitoring methods, risk-based mitigation techniques, and policy. A holistic approach will (i) target multiple microorganisms simultaneously, (ii) involve experts across several disciplines, and (iii) communicate results across disciplines and more broadly, proactively addressing source water-to-customer system management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin Proctor
- Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Division of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Emily Garner
- Wadsworth Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Kerry A Hamilton
- School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment and The Biodesign Centre for Environmental Health Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Nicholas J Ashbolt
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Gold Coast. Queensland, Australia
| | - Lindsay J Caverly
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Charles N Haas
- Department of Civil, Architectural & Environmental Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michele Prevost
- Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering, Polytechnique Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - D Rebecca Prevots
- Epidemiology Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Amy Pruden
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA USA
| | - Lutgarde Raskin
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Janet Stout
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, and Special Pathogens Laboratory, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Sarah-Jane Haig
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, and Department of Environmental & Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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Ye C, Xian X, Bao R, Zhang Y, Feng M, Lin W, Yu X. Recovery of microbiological quality of long-term stagnant tap water in university buildings during the COVID-19 pandemic. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:150616. [PMID: 34592279 PMCID: PMC9752782 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150616] [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: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Stagnant water can cause water quality deterioration and, in particular, microbiological contaminations, posing potential health risks to occupants. University buildings were unoccupied with little water usage during the COVID-19 pandemic. It's an opportunity to study microbiological quality of long-term stagnant water (LTSW) in university buildings. The tap water samples were collected for three months from four types of campus buildings to monitor water quality and microbial risks after long-term stagnation. Specifically, the residual chlorine, turbidity, and iron/zinc were disqualified, and the heterotrophic plate counts (HPC) exceeded the Chinese national standard above 100 times. It took 4-54 days for these parameters to recover to the routine levels. Six species of pathogens were detected with high frequency and levels (101-105 copies/100 mL). Remarkably, L. pneumophilia occurred in 91% of samples with turbidity > 1 NTU. The absence of the culturable cells for these bacteria possibly implied their occurrence in a viable but non-culturable (VBNC) status. The bacterial community of the stagnant tap water differed significantly and reached a steady state in more than 50 days. Furthermore, a high concentration of endotoxin (>10 EU/mL) was found in LTSW, which was in accordance with the high proportion of dead bacteria. The results suggested that the increased microbiological risks require more attention and the countermeasures before the building reopens should be taken.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengsong Ye
- College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, PR China
| | - Xuanxuan Xian
- College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, PR China
| | - Ruihan Bao
- College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, PR China
| | - Yiting Zhang
- College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, PR China; Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, PR China
| | - Mingbao Feng
- College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, PR China
| | - Wenfang Lin
- Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, PR China
| | - Xin Yu
- College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, PR China.
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Bodie AR, Dittoe DK, Feye KM, Knueven CJ, Ovall C, Ricke SC. Comparison of ready-to-eat “organic” antimicrobials, sodium bisulfate, and sodium lactate, on Listeria monocytogenes and the indigenous microbiome of organic uncured beef frankfurters stored under refrigeration for three weeks. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0262167. [PMID: 35051217 PMCID: PMC8775584 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes has been implicated in several ready-to-eat (RTE) foodborne outbreaks, due in part to its ability to survive under refrigerated conditions. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of sodium bisulfate (SBS), sodium lactate (SL), and their combination as short-duration antimicrobial dips (10-s) on L. monocytogenes and the microbiome of inoculated organic frankfurters (8 Log10 CFU/g). Frankfurters were treated with tap water (TW), SBS0.39%, SBS0.78%, SL0.78%, SL1.56%, SBS+SL0.39%, SBS+SL0.78%. In addition, frankfurters were treated with frankfurter solution water (HDW)+SBS0.78%, HDW+SL1.56%, and HDW+SBS+SL0.78%. After treatment, frankfurters were vacuum packaged and stored at 4°C. Bacterial enumeration and 16S rDNA sequencing occurred on d 0, 7, 14, 21. Counts were Log10 transformed and calculated as growth potential from d 0 to d 7, 14, and 21. Data were analyzed in R using mixed-effects model and One-Way ANOVA (by day) with differences separated using Tukey’s HSD at P ≤ 0.05. The 16S rDNA was sequenced on an Illumina MiSeq and analyzed in Qiime2-2018.8 with significance at P ≤ 0.05 and Q ≤ 0.05 for main and pairwise effects. An interaction of treatment and time was observed among the microbiological plate data with all experimental treatments reducing the growth potential of Listeria across time (P < 0.0001). Efficacy of treatments was inconsistent across time; however, on d 21, SBS0.39% treated franks had the lowest growth potential compared to the control. Among diversity metrics, time had no effect on the microbiota (P > 0.05), but treatment did (P < 0.05). Thus, the treatments potentially promoted a stable microbiota across time. Using ANCOM, Listeria was the only significantly different taxa at the genus level (P < 0.05, W = 52). Therefore, the results suggest incorporating SBS over SL as an alternative antimicrobial for the control of L. monocytogenes in organic frankfurters without negatively impacting the microbiota. However, further research using multiple L. monocytogenes strains will need to be utilized in order to determine the scope of SBS use in the production of RTE meat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron R. Bodie
- Meat Science and Animal Biologics Discovery, Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Dana K. Dittoe
- Meat Science and Animal Biologics Discovery, Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Kristina M. Feye
- Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States of America
| | - Carl J. Knueven
- Jones-Hamilton Co., Walbridge, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Christina Ovall
- Jones-Hamilton Co., Walbridge, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Steven C. Ricke
- Meat Science and Animal Biologics Discovery, Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Chen L, Wang Z, Wang P, Yu X, Ding H, Wang Z, Feng J. Effect of Long-Term and Short-Term Imbalanced Zn Manipulation on Gut Microbiota and Screening for Microbial Markers Sensitive to Zinc Status. Microbiol Spectr 2021; 9:e0048321. [PMID: 34730437 PMCID: PMC8567254 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00483-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Zinc (Zn) imbalance is a common single-nutrient disorder worldwide, but little is known about the short-term and long-term effects of imbalanced dietary zinc in the intestinal microbiome. Here, 3-week-old C57BL/6 mice were fed diets supplemented with Zn at the doses of 0 (low Zn), 30 (control Zn), 150 (high Zn), and 600 mg/kg of body weight (excess Zn) for 4 weeks (short term) and 8 weeks (long term). The gut bacterial composition at the phyla, genus, and species levels were changed as the result of the imbalanced Zn diet (e.g., Lactobacillus reuteri and Akkermansia muciniphila). Moreover, pathways including carbohydrate, glycan, and nucleotide metabolism were decreased by a short-term low-Zn diet. Valeriate production was suppressed by a long-term low-Zn diet. Pathways such as drug resistance and infectious diseases were upregulated in high- and excess-Zn diets over 4-week and 8-week intervals. Long-term zinc fortification doses, especially at the high-Zn level, suppressed the abundance of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-producing genera as well as the concentrations of metabolites. Finally, Melainabacteria (phylum) and Desulfovibrio sp. strain ABHU2SB (species) were identified to be potential markers for Zn status with high accuracy (area under the curve [AUC], >0.8). Collectively, this study identified significant changes in gut microbial composition and its metabolite concentration in altered Zn-fed mice and the relevant microbial markers for Zn status. IMPORTANCE Zn insufficiency is an essential health problem in developing countries. To prevent the occurrence of zinc deficit, zinc fortification and supplementation are widely used. However, in developed countries, the amounts of Zn consumed often exceed the tolerable upper intake limit. Our results demonstrated that dietary Zn is an essential mediator of microbial community structure and that both Zn deficiency and Zn overdose can generate a dysbiosis in the gut microbiota. Moreover, specific microbial biomarkers of Zn status were identified and correlated with serum Zn level. Our study found that a short-term low-Zn diet (0 mg/kg) and a long-term high-zinc diet (150 mg/kg) had obvious negative effects in a mouse model. Thus, these results indicate that the provision and duration of supplemental Zn should be approached with caution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingjun Chen
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhonghang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaonan Yu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haoxuan Ding
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zinan Wang
- Elpida Institute of Life Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jie Feng
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Lee D, Calendo G, Kopec K, Henry R, Coutts S, McCarthy D, Murphy HM. The Impact of Pipe Material on the Diversity of Microbial Communities in Drinking Water Distribution Systems. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:779016. [PMID: 34992587 PMCID: PMC8724538 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.779016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
As many cities around the world face the prospect of replacing aging drinking water distribution systems (DWDS), water utilities must make careful decisions on new pipe material (e.g., cement-lined or PVC) for these systems. These decisions are informed by cost, physical integrity, and impact on microbiological and physicochemical water quality. Indeed, pipe material can impact the development of biofilm in DWDS that can harbor pathogens and impact drinking water quality. Annular reactors (ARs) with cast iron and cement coupons fed with chloraminated water from a municipal DWDS were used to investigate the impact of pipe material on biofilm development and composition over 16 months. The ARs were plumbed as closely as possible to the water main in the basement of an academic building to simulate distribution system conditions. Biofilm communities on coupons were characterized using 16S rRNA sequencing. In the cast iron reactors, β-proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and α-proteobacteria were similarly relatively abundant (24.1, 22.5, and 22.4%, respectively) while in the cement reactors, α-proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were more relatively abundant (36.3 and 35.2%, respectively) compared to β-proteobacteria (12.8%). Mean alpha diversity (estimated with Shannon H and Faith's Phylogenetic Difference indices) was greater in cast iron reactors (Shannon: 5.00 ± 0.41; Faith's PD: 15.40 ± 2.88) than in cement reactors (Shannon: 4.16 ± 0.78; Faith's PD: 13.00 ± 2.01). PCoA of Bray-Curtis dissimilarities indicated that communities in cast iron ARs, cement ARs, bulk distribution system water, and distribution system pipe biofilm were distinct. The mean relative abundance of Mycobacterium spp. was greater in the cement reactors (34.8 ± 18.6%) than in the cast iron reactors (21.7 ± 11.9%). In contrast, the mean relative abundance of Legionella spp. trended higher in biofilm from cast iron reactors (0.5 ± 0.7%) than biofilm in cement reactors (0.01 ± 0.01%). These results suggest that pipe material is associated with differences in the diversity, bacterial composition, and opportunistic pathogen prevalence in biofilm of DWDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debbie Lee
- Water, Health and Applied Microbiology Laboratory (WHAM Lab), Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Gennaro Calendo
- Water, Health and Applied Microbiology Laboratory (WHAM Lab), Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Kristin Kopec
- Water, Health and Applied Microbiology Laboratory (WHAM Lab), Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Rebekah Henry
- Environmental and Public Health Microbiology Laboratory (EPHM Lab), Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Scott Coutts
- Micromon, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - David McCarthy
- Environmental and Public Health Microbiology Laboratory (EPHM Lab), Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Heather M. Murphy
- Water, Health and Applied Microbiology Laboratory (WHAM Lab), Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Water, Health and Applied Microbiology Laboratory (WHAM Lab), Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
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Hussain S, Liu H, Liu S, Yin Y, Yuan Z, Zhao Y, Cao H. Distribution and Assembly Processes of Soil Fungal Communities along an Altitudinal Gradient in Tibetan Plateau. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7121082. [PMID: 34947064 PMCID: PMC8706254 DOI: 10.3390/jof7121082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In soil ecosystems, fungi exhibit diverse biodiversity and play an essential role in soil biogeochemical cycling. Fungal diversity and assembly processes across soil strata along altitudinal gradients are still unclear. In this study, we investigated the structure and abundance of soil fungal communities among soil strata and elevational gradients on the Tibetan Plateau using Illumina MiSeq sequencing of internal transcribed spacer1 (ITS1). The contribution of neutral and niche ecological processes were quantified using a neutral community model and a null model-based methodology. Our results showed that fungal gene abundance increased along altitudinal gradients, while decreasing across soil strata. Along with altitudinal gradients, fungal α-diversity (richness) decreased from surface to deeper soil layers, while β-diversity showed weak correlations with elevations. The neutral community model showed an excellent fit for neutral processes and the lowest migration rate (R2 = 0.75). The null model showed that stochastic processes dominate in all samples (95.55%), dispersal limitations were dominated at the surface layer and decreased significantly with soil strata, while undominated processes (ecological drift) show a contrary trend. The log-normal model and the null model (βNTI) correlation analysis also neglect the role of niche-based processes. We conclude that stochastic dispersal limitations, together with ecological drifts, drive fungal communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarfraz Hussain
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (S.H.); (H.L.); (S.L.); (Y.Y.); (Z.Y.)
| | - Hao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (S.H.); (H.L.); (S.L.); (Y.Y.); (Z.Y.)
| | - Senlin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (S.H.); (H.L.); (S.L.); (Y.Y.); (Z.Y.)
| | - Yifan Yin
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (S.H.); (H.L.); (S.L.); (Y.Y.); (Z.Y.)
| | - Zhongyuan Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (S.H.); (H.L.); (S.L.); (Y.Y.); (Z.Y.)
| | - Yuguo Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China;
| | - Hui Cao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (S.H.); (H.L.); (S.L.); (Y.Y.); (Z.Y.)
- Correspondence:
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Webster TM, McFarland A, Gebert MJ, Oliverio AM, Nichols LM, Dunn RR, Hartmann EM, Fierer N. Structure and Functional Attributes of Bacterial Communities in Premise Plumbing Across the United States. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:14105-14114. [PMID: 34606240 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c03309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Microbes that thrive in premise plumbing can have potentially important effects on human health. Yet, how and why plumbing-associated microbial communities vary across broad spatial scales remain undetermined. We characterized the bacterial communities in 496 showerheads collected from across the continental United States. The overall community structure, determined by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, revealed high levels of bacterial diversity. Although a large fraction of the observed variation in community composition could not be explained, differences in bacterial community composition were associated with water supply (private well water vs public municipal water), water source (groundwater vs surface water), and associated differences in water chemistry (pH and chlorine). Most notably, showerheads in homes supplied with public water had higher abundances of Blastomonas, Mycobacterium, and Porphyrobacter, while Pseudorhodoplanes, Novosphingobium, and Nitrospira were more abundant in those receiving private well water. We conducted shotgun metagenomic analyses on 92 of these samples to assess differences in genomic attributes. Public water-sourced showerheads had communities enriched in genes related to lipid and xenobiotic metabolisms, virulence factors, and antibiotic resistance. In contrast, genes associated with oxidative stress and membrane transporters were over-represented in communities from private well water-sourced showerheads compared to those supplied by public water systems. These results highlight the broad diversity of bacteria found in premise plumbing across the United States and the role of the water source and treatment in shaping the microbial community structure and functional potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara M Webster
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Alexander McFarland
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Matthew J Gebert
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80302, United States
| | - Angela M Oliverio
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80302, United States
| | - Lauren M Nichols
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607, United States
| | - Robert R Dunn
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607, United States
- Center for Evolutionary Hologenomics, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 1050, Denmark
| | - Erica M Hartmann
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Noah Fierer
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80302, United States
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Chen X, Wang Y, Chen S, Sun Y, Tan Q, Ding Z, Lu Y, Yu Y. Microplastics as carbon-nutrient sources and shaper for microbial communities in stagnant water. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 420:126662. [PMID: 34329077 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are emerging pollutants as vectors for microbial colonization, but their role as nutrients sources for microbial communities has rarely been reported. This study explored the impact of six types of MPs on assimilable organic carbon (AOC) and microbial communities over eight weeks. The following were the primary conclusions: (1) MPs contributed to AOC increment and subsequently increased bacterial regrowth potential. The maximum AOC reached 722.03 μg/L. The increase in AOC formation corresponded to AOC NOX, except in PVC samples where AOC P17 primarily increased. (2) The MPs accelerated bacterial growth and changed the bacterial distribution between the biofilm and water phases. A high MP surface-area-to-volume ratio or low MPs density contributed to bacterial accumulation and biofilm formation around the plastisphere, thereby decreasing the relative microbial proportion in the water phase. (3) High-throughput sequencing and scanning electron microscope revealed that different MPs shaped various microbial communities temporally and spatially. (4) Biofilm formatting and formatted models were established and simulated to explain the kinetic interaction between the AOC and bacteria inhabiting the plastisphere. Finally, the challenges that plastic-deprived AOC represent in terms of anti-bacterial measures and chemical safety are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Chen
- College of Defense Engineering, The Army Engineering University of PLA, Nanjing 210007, China
| | - Yi Wang
- College of Defense Engineering, The Army Engineering University of PLA, Nanjing 210007, China.
| | - Sheng Chen
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yiran Sun
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Qiaowen Tan
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Zhibin Ding
- College of Defense Engineering, The Army Engineering University of PLA, Nanjing 210007, China.
| | - Yaofeng Lu
- College of Defense Engineering, The Army Engineering University of PLA, Nanjing 210007, China
| | - Yingjun Yu
- College of Defense Engineering, The Army Engineering University of PLA, Nanjing 210007, China
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