1
|
Moreno Y, Moreno-Mesonero L, Soler P, Zornoza A, Soriano A. Influence of drinking water biofilm microbiome on water quality: Insights from a real-scale distribution system. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 921:171086. [PMID: 38382601 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171086] [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: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Biofilms, constituting over 95 % of the biomass in drinking water distribution systems, form an ecosystem impacting both the aesthetic and microbiological quality of water. This study investigates the microbiome of biofilms within a real-scale drinking water distribution system in eastern Spain, utilizing amplicon-based metagenomics. Forty-one biofilm samples underwent processing and sequencing to analyze both bacterial and eukaryotic microbiomes, with an assessment of active biomass. Genus-level analysis revealed considerable heterogeneity, with Desulfovibrio, Ralstonia, Bradyrhizobium, Methylocystis, and Bacillus identified as predominant genera. Notably, bacteria associated with corrosion processes, including Desulfovibrio, Sulfuricella, Hyphomicrobium, and Methylobacterium, were prevalent. Potentially pathogenic bacteria such as Helicobacter, Pseudomonas, and Legionella were also detected. Among protozoa, Opisthokonta and Archaeplastida were the most abundant groups in biofilm samples, with potential pathogenic eukaryotes (Acanthamoeba, Naegleria, Blastocystis) identified. Interestingly, no direct correlation between microbiota composition and pipe materials was observed. The study suggests that the usual concentration of free chlorine in bulk water proved insufficient to prevent the presence of undesirable bacteria and protozoa in biofilms, which exhibited a high concentration of active biomass.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yolanda Moreno
- Research Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering (IIAMA), Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Laura Moreno-Mesonero
- Research Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering (IIAMA), Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022, Valencia, Spain
| | - Patricia Soler
- Empresa Mixta Valenciana de Aguas, S.A. (EMIVASA), Av. del Regne de València, 28, 46005, Valencia, Spain
| | - Andrés Zornoza
- Research Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering (IIAMA), Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022, Valencia, Spain; H2OCITIES, SL, Arte Mayor de la Seda, 15, 46950 Xirivella, Valencia, Spain
| | - Adela Soriano
- Empresa Mixta Valenciana de Aguas, S.A. (EMIVASA), Av. del Regne de València, 28, 46005, Valencia, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leili Abkar
- Civil Engineering Department, University of British Columbia, Canada.
| | | | - S Jane Fowler
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Spencer-Williams I, Meyer M, DePas W, Elliott E, Haig SJ. Assessing the Impacts of Lead Corrosion Control on the Microbial Ecology and Abundance of Drinking-Water-Associated Pathogens in a Full-Scale Drinking Water Distribution System. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:20360-20369. [PMID: 37970641 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c05272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Increases in phosphate availability in drinking water distribution systems (DWDSs) from the use of phosphate-based corrosion control strategies may result in nutrient and microbial community composition shifts in the DWDS. This study assessed the year-long impacts of full-scale DWDS orthophosphate addition on both the microbial ecology and density of drinking-water-associated pathogens that infect the immunocompromised (DWPIs). Using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and droplet digital PCR, drinking water microbial community composition and DWPI density were examined. Microbial community composition analysis suggested significant compositional changes after the orthophosphate addition. Significant increases in total bacterial density were observed after orthophosphate addition, likely driven by a 2 log 10 increase in nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). Linear effect models confirmed the importance of phosphate addition with phosphorus concentration explaining 17% and 12% of the variance in NTM and L. pneumophila density, respectively. To elucidate the impact of phosphate on NTM aggregation, a comparison of planktonic and aggregate fractions of NTM cultures grown at varying phosphate concentrations was conducted. Aggregation assay results suggested that higher phosphate concentrations cause more disaggregation, and the interaction between phosphate and NTM is species specific. This work reveals new insight into the consequences of orthophosphate application on the DWDS microbiome and highlights the importance of proactively monitoring the DWDS for DWPIs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isaiah Spencer-Williams
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, United States
| | - Mitchell Meyer
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, United States
| | - William DePas
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, United States
| | - Emily Elliott
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, United States
- Department of Geology and Environmental Science, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
| | - Sarah-Jane Haig
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, United States
- Department of Environmental & Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhang M, Xiong J, Zhou L, Li J, Fan J, Li X, Zhang T, Yin Z, Yin H, Liu X, Meng D. Community ecological study on the reduction of soil antimony bioavailability by SRB-based remediation technologies. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 459:132256. [PMID: 37567138 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) were effective in stabilizing Sb. However, the influence of electron donors and acceptors during SRB remediation, as well as the ecological principles involved, remained unclear. In this study, Desulfovibrio desulfuricans ATCC 7757 was utilized to stabilize soil Sb within microcosm. Humic acid (HA) or sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) were employed to enhance SRB capacity. The SRB+HA treatment exhibited the highest Sb stabilization rate, achieving 58.40%. Bacterial community analysis revealed that SRB altered soil bacterial diversity, community composition, and assembly processes, with homogeneous selection as the predominant assembly processes. When HA and Na2SO4 significantly modified the stimulated microbial community succession trajectories, shaped the taxonomic composition and interactions of the bacterial community, they showed converse effect in shaping bacterial community which were both helpful for promoting dissimilatory sulfate reduction. Na2SO4 facilitated SRB-mediated anaerobic reduction and promoted interactions between SRB and bacteria involved in nitrogen and sulfur cycling. The HA stimulated electron generation and storage, and enhanced the interactions between SRB and bacteria possessing heavy metal tolerance or carbohydrate degradation capabilities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhang
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China; Key laboratory of Biometallurgy, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Jing Xiong
- Hunan urban and Rural Environmental Construction Co., Ltd, Changsha 410118, China
| | - Lei Zhou
- Beijing Research Institute of Chemical Engineering and Metallurgy, Beijing 101148, China
| | - Jingjing Li
- Technology Center, China Tobacco Fujian Industrial Co., Ltd., Xiamen, Fujian 361000, China
| | - Jianqiang Fan
- Technology Center, China Tobacco Fujian Industrial Co., Ltd., Xiamen, Fujian 361000, China
| | - Xing Li
- Hunan HIKEE Environmental Technology CO., LTD, Changsha 410221, China
| | - Teng Zhang
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China; Hunan urban and Rural Environmental Construction Co., Ltd, Changsha 410118, China; Key laboratory of Biometallurgy, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Zhuzhong Yin
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China; Key laboratory of Biometallurgy, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Huaqun Yin
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China; Key laboratory of Biometallurgy, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Xueduan Liu
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China; Key laboratory of Biometallurgy, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Delong Meng
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China; Key laboratory of Biometallurgy, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410083, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Spencer-Williams I, Balangoda A, Dabundo R, Elliott E, Haig SJ. Exploring the Impacts of Full-Scale Distribution System Orthophosphate Corrosion Control Implementation on the Microbial Ecology of Hydrologically Connected Urban Streams. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0215822. [PMID: 36321898 PMCID: PMC9769763 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02158-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Many cities across the nation are plagued by lead contamination in drinking water. As such, many drinking water utilities have undertaken lead service line (LSL) replacement to prevent further lead contamination. However, given the urgency of lead mitigation, and the socioeconomic challenges associated with LSL replacement, cities have used phosphate-based corrosion inhibitors (i.e., orthophosphate) alongside LSL replacement. While necessary to ensure public health protection from lead contamination, the addition of orthophosphate into an aging and leaking drinking water system may increase the concentration of phosphate leaching into urban streams characterized by century-old failing water infrastructure. Such increases in phosphate availability may cascade into nutrient and microbial community composition shifts. The purpose of this study was to determine how this occurs and to understand whether full-scale distribution system orthophosphate addition impacts the microbial ecology of urban streams. Through monthly collection of water samples from five urban streams before and after orthophosphate addition, significant changes in microbial community composition (16S rRNA amplicon sequencing) and in the relative abundance of typical freshwater taxa were observed. In addition, key microbial phosphorus and nitrogen metabolism genes (e.g., two component regulatory systems) were predicted to change via BugBase. No significant differences in the absolute abundances of total bacteria, Cyanobacteria, and "Candidatus Accumulibacter" were observed. Overall, the findings from this study provide further evidence that urban streams are compromised by unintentional hydrologic connections with drinking water infrastructure. Moreover, our results suggest that infiltration of phosphate-based corrosion inhibitors can impact urban streams and have important, as-yet-overlooked impacts on urban stream microbial communities. IMPORTANCE Elevated lead levels in drinking water supplies are a public health risk. As such, it is imperative for cities to urgently address lead contamination from aging drinking water supplies by way of lead service line replacements and corrosion control methods. However, when applying corrosion control methods, it is also important to consider the chemical and microbiological effects that can occur in natural settings, given that our water infrastructure is aging and more prone to leaks and breaks. Here, we examine the impacts on the microbial ecology of five urban stream systems before and after full-scale distribution system orthophosphate addition. Overall, the results suggest that infiltration of corrosion inhibitors may impact microbial communities; however, future work should be done to ascertain the true impact to protect both public and environmental health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isaiah Spencer-Williams
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Anusha Balangoda
- Department of Geology and Environmental Science, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Richard Dabundo
- Department of Geology and Environmental Science, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Emily Elliott
- Department of Geology and Environmental Science, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sarah-Jane Haig
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Camara M, Filloux A. Supporting the strategic pillars of translational research in biofilms. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2022; 8:90. [PMID: 36372799 PMCID: PMC9659558 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-022-00354-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
|
7
|
Bhagwat G, Zhu Q, O'Connor W, Subashchandrabose S, Grainge I, Knight R, Palanisami T. Exploring the Composition and Functions of Plastic Microbiome Using Whole-Genome Sequencing. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:4899-4913. [PMID: 33686859 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c07952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Besides the ecotoxicological consequences of microplastics and associated chemicals, the association of microbes on plastics has greater environmental implications as microplastics may select for unique microbiome participating in environmentally significant functions. Despite this, the functional potential of the microbiome associated with different types of plastics is understudied. Here, we investigate the interaction between plastic and marine biofilm-forming microorganisms through a whole-genome sequencing approach on four types of microplastics incubated in the marine environment. Taxonomic analysis suggested that the microplastic surfaces exhibit unique microbial profiles and niche partitioning among the substrates. In particular, the abundance of Vibrio alginolyticus and Vibrio campbellii suggested that microplastic pollution may pose a potential risk to the marine food chain and negatively impact aquaculture industries. Microbial genera involved in xenobiotic compound degradation, carbon cycling, and genes associated with the type IV secretion system, conjugal transfer protein TraG, plant-pathogen interaction, CusA/CzcA family heavy metal efflux transfer proteins, and TolC family proteins were significantly enriched on all the substrates, indicating the variety of processes operated by the plastic-microbiome. The present study gives a detailed characterization of the rapidly altering microbial composition and gene pools on plastics and adds new knowledge surrounding the environmental ramifications of marine plastic pollution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Geetika Bhagwat
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia
| | - Qiyun Zhu
- Biodesign Centre for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287-1004, United States
| | - Wayne O'Connor
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, Port Stephens Fisheries Institute, Port Stephens, Taylors Beach 2316, Australia
| | | | - Ian Grainge
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia
| | - Rob Knight
- Centre for Microbiome Innovation, and Departments of Pediatrics, Bioengineering, and Computer Science & Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla 92093-0021, California, United States
| | - Thava Palanisami
- Global Innovative Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials, School of Engineering, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia
| |
Collapse
|