1
|
Paar J, Willis JR, Sette L, Wood SA, Bogomolni A, Dulac M, Sivaganesan M, Shanks OC. Occurrence of recreational water quality monitoring general fecal indicator bacteria and fecal source identification genetic markers in gray seal scat. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 934:173220. [PMID: 38761521 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173220] [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: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
The number of gray seals (Halichoerus grypus) observed along the United States Northwest Atlantic region has been increasing for decades. These colonial animals often haul-out on beaches seasonally in numbers ranging from a few individuals to several thousands. While these larger aggregations are an important part of gray seal behavior, there is public concern that haul-outs could lead to large amounts of fecal waste in recreational areas, potentially resulting in beach closures. Yet, data to confirm whether these animals contribute to beach closures is lacking and minimal information is available on the occurrence of key water quality monitoring genetic markers in gray seal scat. This study evaluates the concentration of E. coli (EC23S857), enterococci (Entero1a), and fecal Bacteroidetes (GenBac3) as well as six fecal source identification genetic markers (HF183/BacR287, HumM2, CPQ_056, Rum2Bac, DG3, and GFD) measured by qPCR in 48 wild gray seal scat samples collected from two haul-out areas in Cape Cod (Massachusetts, U.S.A.). Findings indicate that FIB genetic markers are shed in gray seal scat at significantly different concentrations with the Entero1a genetic marker exhibiting the lowest average concentration (-0.73 log10 estimated mean copies per nanogram of DNA). In addition, systematic testing of scat samples demonstrated that qPCR assays targeting host-associated genetic markers indicative of human, ruminant, and canine fecal pollution sources remain highly specific in waters frequented by gray seals (>97 % specificity).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jack Paar
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, New England Regional Laboratory, North Chelmsford, MA 01863, USA
| | - Jessica R Willis
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA
| | - Lisa Sette
- Center for Coastal Studies, 5 Holway Avenue, Provincetown, MA 02657, USA
| | - Stephanie A Wood
- University of Massachusetts, Boston, Biology Department, 100 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, MA 02125, USA
| | - Andrea Bogomolni
- Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Marine Science, Safety and Environmental Protection, 101 Academy Drive, Buzzards Bay, MA 02532, USA
| | - Monique Dulac
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, New England Regional Laboratory, North Chelmsford, MA 01863, USA
| | - Mano Sivaganesan
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA
| | - Orin C Shanks
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhang B, Fu Y, Wang F, Jin P, Xu P, Li H, Xu X, Shen C. The risk of viable but non-culturable (VBNC) enterococci and antibiotic resistance transmission during simulated municipal sludge composting. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2024; 183:1-9. [PMID: 38703551 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2024.04.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Sludge composting is a sludge resource utilization method that can reduce pollutants, such as pathogens. Enterococci are regarded as more reliable and conservative indicators of pathogen inactivation than fecal coliforms, which are typically used as indicators of fecal pollution. Non-spore pathogenic bacteria may enter a viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state during composting, leading to residual risk. The VBNC status of bacteria is related to their survival during composting. However, the survival mechanisms of enterococci during sludge composting remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the VBNC state of enterococci in different phases of simulated sludge composting and the fate of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) during the composting process. This study is expected to provide a basis for subsequent exploration of possible methods to completely inactivate enterococci and reduce ARGs during sludge composting. Culturable enterococci were reduced in the thermophilic phase of sludge composting, but the proportion of VBNC subpopulation increased. It was reported for the first time that most VBNC enterococci were killed by extending the cooling phase of sludge compost, and by prolonging the cooling phase the types of ARG were reduced. However, there was a certain quantity (approximately 104/g dry weight) of culturable and VBNC enterococci in the compost products. In addition, MGEs and ARGs exist in both bacteria and compost products, leading to the risk of spreading antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance when sludge compost products are used.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bingni Zhang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yulong Fu
- Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta, Zhejiang University, Jiaxing 314100, China
| | - Feiyu Wang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Pingri Jin
- Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Beijing Enterprises Water Group (CHINA) Investment Limited, Beijing 100102, China
| | - Pengcheng Xu
- Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Haoming Li
- Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xiaojie Xu
- Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Chaofeng Shen
- Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta, Zhejiang University, Jiaxing 314100, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ahmed W, Korajkic A, Gabrewold M, Payyappat S, Cassidy M, Harrison N, Besley C. Assessing the nucleic acid decay of human wastewater markers and enteric viruses in estuarine waters in Sydney, Australia. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 926:171389. [PMID: 38432386 PMCID: PMC11070875 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
This research investigated the in-situ decay rates of four human wastewater-associated markers (Bacteroides HF183 (HF183), Lachnospiraceae Lachno3 (Lachno3), cross-assembling phage (crAssphage), pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) and three enteric viruses (human adenovirus 40/41 (HAdV 40/41), enterovirus (EV) and human norovirus GII (HNoV GII) in two estuarine water environments (Davidson Park (DP) and Hen and Chicken Bay (HCB) in temperate Sydney, NSW, Australia, employing qPCR and RT-qPCR assays. The study also aimed to compare decay rates observed in mesocosms with previously published laboratory microcosms, providing insights into the persistence of markers and viruses in estuarine environments. Results indicated varying decay rates between DP and HCB mesocosms, with HF183 exhibiting relatively faster decay rates compared to other markers and enteric viruses in sunlight and dark mesocosms. In DP mesocosms, HF183 decayed the fastest, contrasting with PMMoV, which exhibited the slowest. Sunlight induced higher decay rates for all markers and viruses in DP mesocosms. In HCB sunlight mesocosms, HF183 nucleic acid decayed most rapidly compared to other markers and enteric viruses. In dark mesocosms, crAssphage showed the fastest decay, while PMMoV decayed at the slowest rate in both sunlight and dark mesocosms. Comparisons with laboratory microcosms revealed faster decay of markers and enteric viruses in laboratory microcosms than the mesocosms, except for crAssphage and HAdV 40/41 in dark, and PMMoV in sunlight mesocosms. The study concludes that decay rates of markers and enteric viruses vary between estuarine mesocosms, emphasizing the impact of sunlight exposure, which was potentially influenced by the elevated turbidity at HCB estuarine waters. The generated decay rates contribute valuable insights for establishing site-specific risk-based thresholds of human wastewater-associated markers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Warish Ahmed
- CSIRO Environment, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia.
| | - Asja Korajkic
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, 26W Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45268, United States
| | - Metasebia Gabrewold
- CSIRO Environment, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Sudhi Payyappat
- Sydney Water, 1 Smith Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia
| | - Michele Cassidy
- Sydney Water, 1 Smith Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia
| | - Nathan Harrison
- Sydney Water, 1 Smith Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia
| | - Colin Besley
- Sydney Water, 1 Smith Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Montas Bravo L, Chen Y, Zhang H, Abdool-Ghany AA, Lamm E, Quijada A, Reiner R, Ortega Castineiras C, Knowles A, Precht L, Solo-Gabriele H. Enterococci pathways to coastal waters and implications of sea level rise. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 254:121341. [PMID: 38422693 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121341] [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: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Highly urban coastal communities in low lying areas and with high water tables are vulnerable to sea-level rise and to corresponding increases in coastal groundwater levels. Stormwater conveyance systems are under increased risk. Rising groundwater levels affect the hydraulics of the stormwater system thereby increasing contaminant transport, for example the fecal indicator bacteria enterococci, to coastal waters. This study offers a unique opportunity to evaluate the impacts of increased contaminant transport on marine coastal environments. Here we assessed historic and recent coastal water quality, stormwater sampling data, groundwater monitoring and tidal elevations near the coastline, in the context of altered hydraulics within the system. Two pathways of enterococci to marine waters were identified. Direct discharge of contaminated stormwater runoff via the stormwater outfalls and tidally driven contaminated groundwater discharge. As sea level continues to rise, we hypothesize that a diminished unsaturated zone coupled with altered hydraulic conditions at the coastal groundwater zone will facilitate the transport of enterococci from urban sediments to the study site (Park View Waterway in Miami Beach, FL USA). We recommend improvements to the stormwater conveyance system, and maintenance of the sanitary sewer system to mitigate these impacts and minimize transport of enterococci, and other stormwater pollutants to coastal waters. The results of this study can be useful to interpret high enterococci levels in low lying coastal areas where groundwater is influenced by rising sea water levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Montas Bravo
- Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, University of Miami, 1251 Memorial Drive, McArthur Engineering Building, 1251 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States.
| | - Yutao Chen
- Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States
| | - Hekai Zhang
- Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States
| | - Afeefa A Abdool-Ghany
- Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, University of Miami, 1251 Memorial Drive, McArthur Engineering Building, 1251 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States
| | - Erik Lamm
- Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States
| | - Ashley Quijada
- Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, University of Miami, 1251 Memorial Drive, McArthur Engineering Building, 1251 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States
| | - Rivka Reiner
- Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, University of Miami, 1251 Memorial Drive, McArthur Engineering Building, 1251 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States
| | - Cristina Ortega Castineiras
- City of Miami Beach, Department of Public Works, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139, United States
| | - Amy Knowles
- City of Miami Beach, Environment and Sustainability Department, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139, United States
| | - Lindsey Precht
- City of Miami Beach, Environment and Sustainability Department, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139, United States
| | - Helena Solo-Gabriele
- Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, University of Miami, 1251 Memorial Drive, McArthur Engineering Building, 1251 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States; Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Tang MLY, Lau SCK. Effects of chlorination on the survival of sewage bacteria in seawater microcosms. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2024; 16:e13216. [PMID: 37990630 PMCID: PMC10866060 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.13216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Chlorination is a commonly used disinfection method in sewage treatment process. However, resistant bacteria may survive chlorination and enter the receiving aquatic environment upon effluent discharge. There has been limited research on the effects of chlorination on bacterial survival in seawater. To address this knowledge gap, microcosm experiments were conducted to simulate the discharge of chlorinated effluents into coastal seawater. The results revealed that bacterial communities in seawater-based effluents survived better in seawater than those in freshwater-based effluents. High chlorine dosages could significantly reduce the viable bacterial populations and their chance of regrowth in seawater. Additionally, faecal indicator bacteria (FIB) that entered the viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state under chlorination tended to persist in the VBNC state without resuscitation during seawater incubation. Because of the prevalence of VBNC indicator bacteria, qPCR quantification of FIB was more effective than conventional culture-based methods in tracing viable pathogenic chlorine-resistant bacteria, although the correlation strength varied depending on the type of effluent. This study sheds light on how chlorine dosages and the intrinsic properties of effluents affect bacterial survival in seawater and highlights the potential and limitations of using FIB in monitoring the health risks associated with the discharge of chlorinated effluents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mandy Lok Yi Tang
- Department of Ocean ScienceHong Kong University of Science and TechnologyHong KongChina
| | - Stanley Chun Kwan Lau
- Department of Ocean ScienceHong Kong University of Science and TechnologyHong KongChina
- Center for Ocean Research in Hong Kong and MacauHong Kong University of Science and TechnologyHong KongChina
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhao S, Rogers MJ, Liu Y, Andersen GL, He J. Anthropogenic activity remains the main contributor to fecal pollution in managed tropical watersheds as unraveled by PhyloChip microarray-based microbial source tracking. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 461:132474. [PMID: 37717440 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132474] [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: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
The spread of disease by enteric pathogens associated with fecal contamination is a major concern for the management of urban watersheds. So far, the relative contribution of natural and anthropogenic sources to fecal pollution in managed tropical watersheds remains poorly evaluated. In this study, the microbiomes of water samples collected from managed watersheds in Singapore were elicited using the PhyloChip, a dense 16S rRNA gene-based DNA microarray, and fecal impairment was inferred using a machine-learning classification algorithm (SourceTracker). The predicted contribution of wildlife fecal sources to environmental samples was generally negligible (< 0.01 ± 0.01), indicating a low likelihood of fecal impairment from natural sources. However, sewage showed considerably higher contribution (0.09 ± 0.05) to microbial communities in a subset of watershed samples from canals and rivers, suggesting persistent impairment of certain areas by anthropogenic activity although being managed. Interestingly, the contribution of sewage microbial communities showed decreasing trends from canals/rivers to the connected reservoirs, indicating meaningful auto-mitigation of fecal pollution in canals and rivers. Notably, exclusion of locally derived fecal samples and source categories from the training data set impaired the predictive performance of the classification algorithm despite a high degree of similarity in the phylogenetic composition of microbiomes in biologically similar but geographically distinct sources.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Siyan Zhao
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117576, Singapore
| | - Matthew J Rogers
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117576, Singapore
| | - Yuda Liu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117576, Singapore
| | - Gary L Andersen
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Jianzhong He
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117576, Singapore.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Monteiro S, Machado-Moreira B, Linke R, Blanch AR, Ballesté E, Méndez J, Maunula L, Oristo S, Stange C, Tiehm A, Farnleitner AH, Santos R, García-Aljaro C. Performance of bacterial and mitochondrial qPCR source tracking methods: A European multi-center study. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2023; 253:114241. [PMID: 37611533 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114241] [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: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
With the advent of molecular biology diagnostics, different quantitative PCR assays have been developed for use in Source Tracking (ST), with none of them showing 100% specificity and sensitivity. Most studies have been conducted at a regional level and mainly in fecal slurry rather than in animal wastewater. The use of a single molecular assay has most often proven to fall short in discriminating with precision the sources of fecal contamination. This work is a multicenter European ST study to compare bacterial and mitochondrial molecular assays and was set to evaluate the efficiency of nine previously described qPCR assays targeting human-, cow/ruminant-, pig-, and poultry-associated fecal contamination. The study was conducted in five European countries with seven fecal indicators and nine ST assays being evaluated in a total of 77 samples. Animal fecal slurry samples and human and non-human wastewater samples were analyzed. Fecal indicators measured by culture and qPCR were generally ubiquitous in the samples. The ST qPCR markers performed at high levels in terms of quantitative sensitivity and specificity demonstrating large geographical application. Sensitivity varied between 73% (PLBif) and 100% for the majority of the tested markers. On the other hand, specificity ranged from 53% (CWMit) and 97% (BacR). Animal-associated ST qPCR markers were generally detected in concentrations greater than those found for the respective human-associated qPCR markers, with mean concentration for the Bacteroides qPCR markers varying between 8.74 and 7.22 log10 GC/10 mL for the pig and human markers, respectively. Bacteroides spp. and mitochondrial DNA qPCR markers generally presented higher Spearman's rank coefficient in the pooled fecal samples tested, particularly the human fecal markers with a coefficient of 0.79. The evaluation of the performance of Bacteroides spp., mitochondrial DNA and Bifidobacterium spp. ST qPCR markers support advanced pollution monitoring of impaired aquatic environments, aiming to elaborate strategies for target-oriented water quality management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sílvia Monteiro
- Laboratório de Análises, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais 1, 1049-001, Lisboa, Portugal; CERIS, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais 1, 1049-001, Lisboa, Portugal; Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, EN. 10, 2695-066, Bobadela, Portugal.
| | - Bernardino Machado-Moreira
- Laboratório de Análises, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais 1, 1049-001, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Rita Linke
- Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, Research Group Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics 166/5/3, TU Wien, Gumpendorferstr. 1a, 1060, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anicet R Blanch
- Dept. Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Elisenda Ballesté
- Dept. Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Javier Méndez
- Dept. Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Leena Maunula
- Dept. Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Satu Oristo
- Dept. Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Claudia Stange
- Dept. Water Microbiology, DVGW-Technologiezentrum Wasser, Germany
| | - Andreas Tiehm
- Dept. Water Microbiology, DVGW-Technologiezentrum Wasser, Germany
| | - Andreas H Farnleitner
- Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, Research Group Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics 166/5/3, TU Wien, Gumpendorferstr. 1a, 1060, Vienna, Austria; Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Research Division Water Quality and Health, Dr.- Karl-Dorrek-Straße 30, 3500, Krems an der Donau, Austria
| | - Ricardo Santos
- Laboratório de Análises, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais 1, 1049-001, Lisboa, Portugal; CERIS, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais 1, 1049-001, Lisboa, Portugal; Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, EN. 10, 2695-066, Bobadela, Portugal
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Alegbeleye O, Sant'Ana AS. Survival behavior of six enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains in soil and biochar-amended soils. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 223:115443. [PMID: 36781014 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115443] [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: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Some Escherichia coli serotypes are important human pathogens causing diarrhea or in some cases, life threatening diseases. E. coli is also a typical indicator microorganism, routinely used for assessing the microbiological quality of water especially to indicate fecal contamination. The soil is a sink and route of transmission to water and food resources and it is thus important to understand the survival of enterotoxigenic E. coli strains in soil. This study monitored the survival of six E. coli strains in sandy and loam soil. Furthermore, since biochar is a commonly used soil conditioner, the study investigated the impact of biochar amendment (15%) on the survival of the E. coli strains in (biochar-amended) sandy and loam soils. Addition of biochar affected the physicochemical properties of both soils, altering potassium levels, calcium, magnesium, sodium as well as levels of other metal ions. It increased the organic matter of loam soil from 44 g/dm3 to 52 g/dm3, and increased the pH of both sandy and loam soils. Survival and persistence of the E. coli strains generally varied according to soil type, with strains generally surviving better (P ≤ 0.05) in loam soil compared to in sandy soil. In loam soil and biochar amended loam soils, E. coli strains remained culturable until the 150th day with counts ranging between 3.00 and 5.94 ± 0.04 log CFU/g. The effects of biochar on the physicochemical properties of soil and the response of the E. coli strains to biochar amendment was variable depending on soil type.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oluwadara Alegbeleye
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Food Engineering, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Anderson S Sant'Ana
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Food Engineering, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
González-Fernández A, Symonds EM, Gallard-Gongora JF, Mull B, Lukasik JO, Rivera Navarro P, Badilla Aguilar A, Peraud J, Mora Alvarado D, Cantor A, Breitbart M, Cairns MR, Harwood VJ. Risk of Gastroenteritis from Swimming at a Wastewater-Impacted Tropical Beach Varies across Localized Scales. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0103322. [PMID: 36847564 PMCID: PMC10057883 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01033-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Population growth and changing climate are expected to increase human exposure to pathogens in tropical coastal waters. We examined microbiological water quality in three rivers within 2.3 km of each other that impact a Costa Rican beach and in the ocean outside their plumes during the rainy and dry seasons. We performed quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) to predict the risk of gastroenteritis associated with swimming and the amount of pathogen reduction needed to achieve safe conditions. Recreational water quality criteria based on enterococci were exceeded in >90% of river samples but in only 13% of ocean samples. Multivariate analysis grouped microbial observations by subwatershed and season in river samples but only by subwatershed in the ocean. The modeled median risk from all pathogens in river samples was between 0.345 and 0.577, 10-fold above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) benchmark of 0.036 (36 illnesses/1,000 swimmers). Norovirus genogroup I (NoVGI) contributed most to risk, but adenoviruses raised risk above the threshold in the two most urban subwatersheds. The risk was greater in the dry compared to the rainy season, due largely to the greater frequency of NoVGI detection (100% versus 41%). Viral log10 reduction needed to ensure safe swimming conditions varied by subwatershed and season and was greatest in the dry season (3.8 to 4.1 dry; 2.7 to 3.2 rainy). QMRA that accounts for seasonal and local variability of water quality contributes to understanding the complex influences of hydrology, land use, and environment on human health risk in tropical coastal areas and can contribute to improved beach management. IMPORTANCE This holistic investigation of sanitary water quality at a Costa Rican beach assessed microbial source tracking (MST) marker genes, pathogens, and indicators of sewage. Such studies are still rare in tropical climates. Quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) found that rivers impacting the beach consistently exceeded the U.S. EPA risk threshold for gastroenteritis of 36/1,000 swimmers. The study improves upon many QMRA studies by measuring specific pathogens, rather than relying on surrogates (indicator organisms or MST markers) or estimating pathogen concentrations from the literature. By analyzing microbial levels and estimating the risk of gastrointestinal illness in each river, we were able to discern differences in pathogen levels and human health risks even though all rivers were highly polluted by wastewater and were located less than 2.5 km from one another. This variability on a localized scale has not, to our knowledge, previously been demonstrated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Erin M. Symonds
- College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, Saint Petersburg, Florida, USA
- Department of Anthropology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | | | - Bonnie Mull
- BCS Laboratories, Inc., Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | | | - Pablo Rivera Navarro
- Laboratorio Nacional de Aguas, Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, Tres Ríos, Cartago, Costa Rica
| | - Andrei Badilla Aguilar
- Laboratorio Nacional de Aguas, Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, Tres Ríos, Cartago, Costa Rica
| | - Jayme Peraud
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Darner Mora Alvarado
- Laboratorio Nacional de Aguas, Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, Tres Ríos, Cartago, Costa Rica
| | - Allison Cantor
- Department of Anthropology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Mya Breitbart
- College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, Saint Petersburg, Florida, USA
| | - Maryann R. Cairns
- Department of Anthropology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Valerie J. Harwood
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Yoneda I, Rozanah UN, Nishiyama M, Mith H, Watanabe T. Detection and genetic analysis of Escherichia coli from Tonle Sap Lake and its tributaries in Cambodia: Spatial distribution, seasonal variation, pathogenicity, and antimicrobial resistance. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 315:120406. [PMID: 36252883 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
As an indicator of fecal contamination, Escherichia coli was monitored in Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia, and its tributaries during low- and high-water seasons, focusing on the impacts on floating villagers inhabiting boathouses. E. coli concentrations in the floating villages (3.6 × 103 and 5.7 × 103 CFU/100 mL during the low- and high-water seasons, respectively) were significantly higher than those in other lake sites (4.0 × 101 and 7.0 × 100 CFU/100 mL during the low- and high-water seasons, respectively) and rivers (3.3 × 102 and 8.9 × 102 CFU/100 mL during the low- and high-water seasons, respectively), most likely because fecal materials from the boathouses were discharged without treatment. At most of the lake sampling sites remote from the boathouses, the E. coli concentration was lower during the high-water season than that during the low-water season, due to dilution by lake water. E. coli colonies detected during monitoring were isolated for pathotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, beta-lactamase gene detection, and multilocus sequencing typing (MLST). Of the 659 E. coli isolates, 101 (15.3%) were diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC). The prevalence of DEC (52.2%) in the floating villages during the low-water season was higher than that during the high-water season (4.2%) and that in other sites during both seasons (10.6-21.3%). The DEC isolates from the floating villages during the low-water season showed high antimicrobial resistance, including ampicillin (83.4%) and ciprofloxacin (83.4%), and frequently possessed a beta-lactamase gene (blaTEM) (83.4%). MLST analysis indicated that the predominant sequence type (ST) of DEC isolates from the floating villages possibly originated from humans, whereas more diverse STs were detected in isolates from other sites. We revealed the wide presence of diarrheagenic and antimicrobial-resistant E. coli in Tonle Sap Lake and identified a considerable infection risk in floating villages, especially during the low-water season.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ichiro Yoneda
- Department of Regional Environment Creation, United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Iwate University, 18-8 Ueda 3-Chome, Morioka, 020-8850, Japan.
| | - Ulya Nur Rozanah
- Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Gadjah Mada University, Bulaksumur, Yogyakarta, 55281, Indonesia
| | - Masateru Nishiyama
- Department of Food, Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Yamagata University, 1-23 Wakaba-Machi, Tsuruoka, 997-8555, Japan
| | - Hasika Mith
- Faculty of Chemical and Food Engineering, Institute of Technology of Cambodia, Russian Federation Blvd., P.O. Box 86, Phnom Penh, 12156, Cambodia
| | - Toru Watanabe
- Department of Food, Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Yamagata University, 1-23 Wakaba-Machi, Tsuruoka, 997-8555, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Abdool-Ghany AA, Sahwell PJ, Klaus J, Gidley ML, Sinigalliano CD, Solo-Gabriele HM. Fecal indicator bacteria levels at a marine beach before, during, and after the COVID-19 shutdown period and associations with decomposing seaweed and human presence. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 851:158349. [PMID: 36041612 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Studies are limited that evaluate seaweed as a source of bacteria to beach waters. The objective of the current study was to evaluate whether seaweed, along with humans and other animals, could be the cause of beach advisories due to elevated levels of enterococci. The monitoring period occurred a year prior to and through the COVID-19 beach shutdown period, which provided a unique opportunity to evaluate bacteria levels during prolonged periods without recreational activity. Samples of water, sediment, and seaweed were measured for enterococci by culture and qPCR, in addition to microbial source tracking by qPCR of fecal bacteria markers from humans, dogs, and birds. During periods of elevated enterococci levels in water, these analyses were supplemented by chemical source tracking of human-associated excretion markers (caffeine, sucralose, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen). Results show that enterococci with elevated levels of human fecal markers persist in the seaweed and sediment and are the likely contributor to elevated levels of bacteria to the nearshore waters. During the shutdown period the elevated levels of enterococci in the sediment were isolated to the seaweed stranding areas. During periods when the beaches were open, enterococci were distributed more uniformly in sediment across the supratidal and intertidal zones. It is hypothesized from this study that human foot traffic may be responsible for the spread of enterococci throughout these areas. Overall, this study found high levels of enterococci in decomposing seaweed supporting the hypothesis that decomposing seaweed provides an additional substrate for enterococci to grow.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Afeefa A Abdool-Ghany
- Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Peter J Sahwell
- Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - James Klaus
- Department of Marine Geosciences, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Miami, Key Biscayne, FL, USA
| | - Maribeth L Gidley
- University of Miami, Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS), Miami, FL, USA; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML), Miami, FL, USA
| | - Christopher D Sinigalliano
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML), Miami, FL, USA
| | - Helena M Solo-Gabriele
- Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Wong YY, Lee CW, Chai SCY, Lim JH, Bong CW, Sim EUH, Narayanan K, Hii YS, Wang AJ. Distribution of faecal indicator bacteria in tropical waters of Peninsular Malaysia and their decay rates in tropical seawater. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 185:114297. [PMID: 36327936 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114297] [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: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the appropriateness of faecal indicator bacteria in tropical waters. We compared total coliform (undetectable to 7.2 × 105 cfu 100 mL-1), faecal coliform (undetectable to 6.1 × 105 cfu 100 mL-1) and enterococci (undetectable to 3.1 × 104 cfu 100 mL-1) distribution in Peninsular Malaysia. Faecal indicator bacteria was highest in freshwater, and lowest in seawater (q > 4.18, p < 0.01). We also measured the decay rates of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecium in microcosms. In seawater, average decay rate for E. coli was 0.084 ± 0.029 h-1, and higher than E. faecium (0.048 ± 0.024 h-1) (t = 2.527, p < 0.05). Grazing accounted for 54 % of both E. coli and E. faecium decay. E. coli decayed in the <0.02 μm seawater fraction (0.023 ± 0.012 h-1) but E. faecium sometimes grew. Seawater warming further uncoupled the response from both E. coli and E. faecium as E. faecium grew and E. coli decayed with warming. Our results suggested that the prevalence of faecal indicator bacteria in tropical waters was not due to faecal pollution alone, and this will have serious implications towards the use of these faecal indicator bacteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi You Wong
- Laboratory of Microbial Ecology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Institute for Advanced Studies, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Choon Weng Lee
- Laboratory of Microbial Ecology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Stanley Choon Yip Chai
- Laboratory of Microbial Ecology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Institute for Advanced Studies, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Joon Hai Lim
- Laboratory of Microbial Ecology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Institute for Advanced Studies, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Chui Wei Bong
- Laboratory of Microbial Ecology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Edmund Ui Hang Sim
- Faculty of Resource Sciences and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Kumaran Narayanan
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Yii Siang Hii
- Pakar Scieno TW Pte. Ltd., 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Ai-Jun Wang
- Laboratory of Coastal and Marine Geology, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Physical and Geological Processes, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Zhan Q, Babler KM, Sharkey ME, Amirali A, Beaver CC, Boone MM, Comerford S, Cooper D, Cortizas EM, Currall BB, Foox J, Grills GS, Kobetz E, Kumar N, Laine J, Lamar WE, Mantero AM, Mason CE, Reding BD, Robertson M, Roca MA, Ryon K, Schürer SC, Shukla BS, Solle NS, Stevenson M, Tallon Jr JJ, Thomas C, Thomas T, Vidović D, Williams SL, Yin X, Solo-Gabriele HM. Relationships between SARS-CoV-2 in Wastewater and COVID-19 Clinical Cases and Hospitalizations, with and without Normalization against Indicators of Human Waste. ACS ES&T WATER 2022; 2:1992-2003. [PMID: 36398131 PMCID: PMC9664448 DOI: 10.1021/acsestwater.2c00045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in wastewater has been used to track community infections of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), providing critical information for public health interventions. Since levels in wastewater are dependent upon human inputs, we hypothesize that tracking infections can be improved by normalizing wastewater concentrations against indicators of human waste [Pepper Mild Mottle Virus (PMMoV), β-2 Microglobulin (B2M), and fecal coliform]. In this study, we analyzed SARS-CoV-2 and indicators of human waste in wastewater from two sewersheds of different scales: a University campus and a wastewater treatment plant. Wastewater data were combined with complementary COVID-19 case tracking to evaluate the efficiency of wastewater surveillance for forecasting new COVID-19 cases and, for the larger scale, hospitalizations. Results show that the normalization of SARS-CoV-2 levels by PMMoV and B2M resulted in improved correlations with COVID-19 cases for campus data using volcano second generation (V2G)-qPCR chemistry (r s = 0.69 without normalization, r s = 0.73 with normalization). Mixed results were obtained for normalization by PMMoV for samples collected at the community scale. Overall benefits from normalizing with measures of human waste depend upon qPCR chemistry and improves with smaller sewershed scale. We recommend further studies that evaluate the efficacy of additional normalization targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qingyu Zhan
- Department
of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, United States
| | - Kristina M. Babler
- Department
of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, United States
| | - Mark E. Sharkey
- Department
of Medicine, University of Miami Miller
School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Ayaaz Amirali
- Department
of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, United States
| | - Cynthia C. Beaver
- Sylvester
Comprehensive Cancer Center, University
of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Melinda M. Boone
- Sylvester
Comprehensive Cancer Center, University
of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Samuel Comerford
- Department
of Medicine, University of Miami Miller
School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Daniel Cooper
- DataGrade
Solutions, LLC, Miami, Florida 33173, United
States
| | - Elena M. Cortizas
- Sylvester
Comprehensive Cancer Center, University
of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Benjamin B. Currall
- Sylvester
Comprehensive Cancer Center, University
of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Jonathan Foox
- Department
of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell
Medical College, New York
City, New York 10021, United States
| | - George S. Grills
- Sylvester
Comprehensive Cancer Center, University
of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Erin Kobetz
- Department
of Medicine, University of Miami Miller
School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
- Sylvester
Comprehensive Cancer Center, University
of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Naresh Kumar
- Department
of Public Health Sciences, University of
Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Jennifer Laine
- Environmental
Health and Safety, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33146, United States
| | - Walter E. Lamar
- Facilities
Safety & Compliance, University of Miami
Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Alejandro M.A. Mantero
- Department
of Public Health Sciences, University of
Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Christopher E. Mason
- Department
of Physiology and Biophysics and the WorldQuant Initiative for Quantitative
Prediction, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City, New York 10021, United States
| | - Brian D. Reding
- Environmental
Health and Safety, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33146, United States
| | - Maria Robertson
- Department
of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, United States
| | - Matthew A. Roca
- Department
of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, United States
| | - Krista Ryon
- Department
of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell
Medical College, New York
City, New York 10021, United States
| | - Stephan C. Schürer
- Sylvester
Comprehensive Cancer Center, University
of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
- Department
of Molecular & Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicines, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
- Institute
for Data Science & Computing, University
of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, United
States
| | - Bhavarth S. Shukla
- Department
of Medicine, University of Miami Miller
School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Natasha Schaefer Solle
- Department
of Medicine, University of Miami Miller
School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
- Sylvester
Comprehensive Cancer Center, University
of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Mario Stevenson
- Department
of Medicine, University of Miami Miller
School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - John J. Tallon Jr
- Facilities
and Operations, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, United States
| | - Collette Thomas
- Department
of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, United States
| | - Tori Thomas
- Department
of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, United States
| | - Dušica Vidović
- Department
of Molecular & Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicines, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Sion L. Williams
- Sylvester
Comprehensive Cancer Center, University
of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Xue Yin
- Department
of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, United States
| | - Helena M. Solo-Gabriele
- Department
of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, United States
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Hilaire SS, Chen C, Radolinski J, Leventhal T, Preisendanz H, Kleinman PJA, Maguire R, Stewart RD, Saporito LS, Xia K. Culturable antibiotic-resistant fecal coliform bacteria in soil and surface runoff after liquid dairy manure surface application and subsurface injection. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 2022; 51:288-300. [PMID: 35122692 DOI: 10.1002/jeq2.20332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Land application of manure, while beneficial to soil health and plant growth, can lead to an overabundance of nutrients and introduction of emerging contaminants into agricultural fields. Compared with surface application of manure, subsurface injection has been shown to reduce nutrients and antibiotics in surface runoff. However, less is known about the influence of subsurface injection on the transport and persistence of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms. We simulated rainfall to field plots at two sites (one in Virginia and one in Pennsylvania) 1 or 7 d after liquid dairy manure surface and subsurface application (56 Mg ha-1 ) and monitored the abundance of culturable antibiotic-resistant fecal coliform bacteria (ARFCB) in surface runoff and soils for 45 d. We performed these tests at both sites in spring 2018 and repeated the test at the Virginia site in fall 2019. Manure subsurface injection, compared with surface application, resulted in less ARFCB in surface runoff, and this reduction was greater at Day 1 after application compared with Day 7. The reductions of ARFCB in surface runoff because of manure subsurface injection were 2.5-593 times at the Virginia site in spring 2018 and fall 2019 and 4-5 times at the Pennsylvania site in spring 2018. The ARFCB were only detectable in the 0-to-5-cm soil depth within 14 d of manure surface application but remained detectable in the injection slits of manure subsurface-injected plots even at Day 45. This study demonstrated that subsurface injection can significantly reduce surface runoff of ARFCB from manure-applied fields.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Chaoqi Chen
- School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
- School of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Jesse Radolinski
- School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
- Dep. of Ecology, Univ. of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria
| | - Talia Leventhal
- Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Penn State, State College, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Heather Preisendanz
- Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Penn State, State College, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Peter J A Kleinman
- Pasture Systems and Watershed Management Research Unit, USDA-ARS, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Rory Maguire
- School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Ryan D Stewart
- School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Lou S Saporito
- Pasture Systems and Watershed Management Research Unit, USDA-ARS, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Kang Xia
- School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Ndione M, Ory P, Agion T, Treilles M, Vacher L, Simon-Bouhet B, Le Beguec M, Pineau P, Montanié H, Agogué H. Temporal variations in fecal indicator bacteria in bathing water and sediment in a coastal ecosystem (Aytré Bay, Charente-Maritime, France). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 175:113360. [PMID: 35134737 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This study presents the fecal contamination dynamic at the two bathing sites of Aytré Bay (Charente Maritime, France). We quantified fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) abundances (Escherichia coli and enterococci) from water and sediment samples over one-year survey. Then we measured biological (bacterial abundance, chlorophyll-a), physico-chemical (dissolved nutrients and oxygen, salinity, pH …) and climatic (temperatures, rainfall and tidal coefficient) parameters. Results showed that FIB abundances were occasionally higher than the European regulatory threshold during winter, summer and fall. The "poor quality" of the bathing water was due to high enterococci abundance. We found negative significant correlations between FIB and water temperature and salinity, and positive significant correlations between FIB and rainfall, PO4, NO3, NO2, and SiO2 mainly in water. Relationships between parameters showed that during summer and spring the main environmental drivers were temperature and salinity, while in fall and winter they were rainfall and dissolved nutrients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Méry Ndione
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs) UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, La Rochelle, France
| | - Pascaline Ory
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs) UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, La Rochelle, France
| | - Tony Agion
- QUALYSE, Laboratoire d'analyses, La Rochelle, France
| | | | - Luc Vacher
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs) UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, La Rochelle, France
| | - Benoit Simon-Bouhet
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, Chizé, France
| | - Maëlig Le Beguec
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs) UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, La Rochelle, France
| | - Philippe Pineau
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs) UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, La Rochelle, France
| | - Hélène Montanié
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs) UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, La Rochelle, France
| | - Hélène Agogué
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs) UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, La Rochelle, France.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Nagarajan V, Chen J, Hsu B, Hsu G, Wang J, Hussain B. Prevalence, Distribution, and Genotypes of Adenovirus and Norovirus in the Puzi River and Its Tributaries and the Surrounding Areas in Taiwan. GEOHEALTH 2021; 5:e2021GH000465. [PMID: 34977444 PMCID: PMC8686652 DOI: 10.1029/2021gh000465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the prevalence, distribution, and genotypes of adenoviruses (AdVs) and noroviruses (NoVs) in the Puzi River and surrounding areas in Taiwan. The viruses in the water samples were isolated using the membrane filtration method and the viral nucleic acids were extracted. The RNA of NoVs was reverse-transcribed into complementary DNA using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. AdVs and NoVs were detected using nested PCR. Genotyping and phylogenetic analyses were performed to identify the various viral genotypes in the water samples. Human adenovirus (HAdVs) and porcine adenovirus (PAdVs) were the predominant genotypes in the water samples. The prevalence of F species HAdVs serotype 41 (79.2%) and C species PAdVs serotype 5 (18.1%) was higher than that of other serotypes. Among NoVs, genogroup GII was more prevalent than GI. In particular, GII.4 (21.2%) and GII.17 (18.2%) were the predominant genotypes, which was consistent with the clinical findings. The prevalence of both AdVs and NoVs was higher in the winter than spring, summer and autumn seasons. AdVs and NoVs detection results were statistically analyzed by investigating their association with water quality indicators. The results revealed that the presence of AdVs was significantly correlated with the heterotrophic bacterial count, total coliform Escherichia coli, turbidity, salinity, and dissolved oxygen. Meanwhile, the presence of NoVs was only significantly correlated with temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen. Microbial pollution sources may include urban runoff and discharge of water from livestock farms situated near the river and tributaries within this region of Taiwan. Future studies should include comparisons of the presence of AdVs and NoVs in these known pollution sources and water quality monitoring of these watersheds, as this will allow potential identification of pollution sources. Additionally, remediation strategies must be developed to minimize viral contamination in the river ecosystem.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Viji Nagarajan
- Department of Earth and Environmental SciencesNational Chung Cheng UniversityChiayi CountyTaiwan
| | | | - Bing‐Mu Hsu
- Department of Earth and Environmental SciencesNational Chung Cheng UniversityChiayi CountyTaiwan
| | - Gwo‐Jong Hsu
- Division of Infectious DiseasesDitmanson Medical FoundationChia‐Yi Christian HospitalChiayi CountyTaiwan
| | - Jiun‐Ling Wang
- Department of Internal MedicineNational Cheng Kung University HospitalTainanTaiwan
| | - Bashir Hussain
- Department of Earth and Environmental SciencesNational Chung Cheng UniversityChiayi CountyTaiwan
- Department of Biomedical SciencesNational Chung Cheng UniversityChiayi CountyTaiwan
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Transcriptomic and rRNA:rDNA Signatures of Environmental versus Enteric Enterococcus faecalis Isolates under Oligotrophic Freshwater Conditions. Microbiol Spectr 2021; 9:e0081721. [PMID: 34668732 PMCID: PMC8528121 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00817-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of enterococci as a fecal indicator bacterial group for public health risk assessment has been brought into question by recent studies showing that “naturalized” populations of Enterococcus faecalis exist in the extraenteric environment. The extent to which these naturalized E. faecalis organisms can confound water quality monitoring is unclear. To determine if strains isolated from different habitats display different survival strategies and responses, we compared the decay patterns of three E. faecalis isolates from the natural environment (environmental strains) against three human gut isolates (enteric strains) in laboratory mesocosms that simulate an oligotrophic, aerobic freshwater environment. Our results showed similar overall decay rates between enteric and environmental isolates based on viable plate and quantitative PCR (qPCR) counts. However, the enteric isolates exhibited a spike in copy number ratios of 16S rRNA gene transcripts to 16S rRNA gene DNA copies (rRNA:rDNA ratios) between days 1 and 3 of the mesocosm incubations that was not observed in environmental isolates, which could indicate a different stress response. Nevertheless, there was no strong evidence of differential gene expression between environmental and enteric isolates related to habitat adaptation in the accompanying mesocosm metatranscriptomes. Overall, our results provide novel information on how rRNA levels may vary over different growth conditions (e.g., standard lab versus oligotrophic) for this important indicator bacteria. We also observed some evidence for habitat adaptation in E. faecalis; however, this adaptation may not be substantial or consistent enough for integration in water quality monitoring. IMPORTANCE Enterococci are commonly used worldwide to monitor environmental fecal contamination and public health risk for waterborne diseases. However, closely related enterococci strains adapted to living in the extraenteric environment may represent a lower public health risk and confound water quality estimates. We developed an rRNA:rDNA viability assay for E. faecalis (a predominant species within this fecal group) and tested it against both enteric and environmental isolates in freshwater mesocosms to assess whether this approach can serve as a more sensitive water quality monitoring tool. We were unable to reliably distinguish the different isolate types using this assay under the conditions tested; thus, environmental strains should continue to be counted during routine water monitoring. However, this assay could be useful for distinguishing more recent (i.e., higher-risk) fecal pollution because rRNA levels significantly decreased after 1 week in all isolates.
Collapse
|
18
|
Yasar SA, Mills TJT, Uluturk ZI, Ruszczyk JMS, LeBard RJ, Neilan BA. Quantitative detection of human- and canine-associated Bacteroides genetic markers from an urban coastal lagoon. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2021; 84:1732-1744. [PMID: 34662309 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2021.341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The contamination of water catchments by nonpoint source faecal pollution is a major issue affecting the microbial quality of receiving waters and is associated with the occurrence of a range of enteric illnesses in humans. The potential sources of faecal pollution in surface waters are diverse, including urban sewage leaks, surface runoff and wildlife contamination originating from a range of hosts. The major contributing hosts require identification to allow targeted management of this public health concern. In this study, two high-performing Microbial Source Tracking (MST) assays, HF183/Bac242 and BacCan-UCDmodif, were used for their ability to detect host-specific Bacteroides 16Sr RNA markers for faecal pollution in a 12-month study on an urban coastal lagoon in Sydney, Australia. The lagoon was found to contain year-round high numbers of human and canine faecal markers, as well as faecal indicator bacteria counts, suggesting considerable human and animal faecal pollution. The high sensitivity and specificity of the HF183/Bac242 and BacCan-UCDmodif assays, together with the manageable levels of PCR inhibition and high level DNA extraction efficiency obtained from lagoon water samples make these markers candidates for inclusion in an MST 'toolbox' for investigating host origins of faecal pollution in urban surface waters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Serhat A Yasar
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Toby J T Mills
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia E-mail:
| | - Zehra I Uluturk
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Rebecca J LeBard
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Brett A Neilan
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Salam S, McDaniel R, Bleakley B, Amegbletor L, Mardani S. Variability of E. coli in streambed sediment and its implication for sediment sampling. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY 2021; 242:103859. [PMID: 34343844 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2021.103859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
E. coli is the number one cause for water quality impairments in rivers and streams in South Dakota and the United States. Stream bottom sediments can be a reservoir for bacteria, including pathogenic organisms and fecal indicator bacteria (FIB), due to the favorable conditions provided by sediments for survival. Despite this, little is known about the variability of E. coli in sediments which should be considered when developing a sampling regime. This study examines the spatial variability of E. coli in sediment across the stream cross-section, the temporal stability of E. coli in sediment samples, and the implications for sediment sampling and processing. Five locations were sampled for sediment E. coli along two tributaries to the Big Sioux River in eastern South Dakota, four along Skunk Creek (Sk1, Sk2, Sk3, and Sk4), and one in Sixmile Creek (SM). In Skunk Creek, site Sk1 has direct cattle access where the other three sites (Sk2, Sk3, and Sk4) are under Seasonal Riparian Area Management (SRAM), a strategy that limits the cattle access to the stream. E. coli concentrations in the sediment ranged from 4 to 997 CFU g-1 (8.5 × 102 to 2.1 × 105 CFU 100 mL-1). The highest and lowest E. coli concentrations observed were at sites Sk1 and Sk4, respectively. The E. coli concentration decreased from the upstream cattle crossing site (Sk1) through the downstream SRAM sites. Analyzing the stream cross-section analysis revealed no significant difference in E. coli concentration between the edge and the middle of the stream. Sediment samples can be held up to 24 h after sample collection in refrigerated conditions (37 °F) in the majority of cases (80%) without significant changes in E. coli concentrations. The sample size analysis indicated the spatial variability of E. coli across the stream cross-section is high and a single grab sample may not be able to provide adequate representation of E. coli concentrations in sediment without substantial error. The findings provide insight for designing E. coli monitoring projects and promote the awareness of unconventional sources of microbiological water quality impairment which are often overlooked.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sadia Salam
- Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, South Dakota State University, 1400 N Campus Drive, Ag & biosystems Engineering-Box 2120 University Station, Brookings, SD 57007, USA.
| | - Rachel McDaniel
- Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, South Dakota State University, 1400 N Campus Drive, Ag & biosystems Engineering-Box 2120 University Station, Brookings, SD 57007, USA
| | - Bruce Bleakley
- Department of Biology and Microbiology, South Dakota State University, Alfred Dairy Science Hall 220 Biology & Microbiology-Box 2104A, University Station, Brookings, SD 57007, USA
| | - Louis Amegbletor
- Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, South Dakota State University, 1400 N Campus Drive, Ag & biosystems Engineering-Box 2120 University Station, Brookings, SD 57007, USA
| | - Sara Mardani
- Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, South Dakota State University, 1400 N Campus Drive, Ag & biosystems Engineering-Box 2120 University Station, Brookings, SD 57007, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Mushi D, Kebede G, Linke RB, Lakew A, Hayes DS, Graf W, Farnleitner AH. Microbial faecal pollution of river water in a watershed of tropical Ethiopian highlands is driven by diffuse pollution sources. JOURNAL OF WATER AND HEALTH 2021; 19:575-591. [PMID: 34371495 DOI: 10.2166/wh.2021.269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Tropical communities in the developing world depend heavily on riverine systems for their socioeconomic development. However, these resources are poorly protected from diffuse pollution, and there is a lack of quantitative information regarding the microbial pollution characteristics of riverine water, despite frequently reported gastrointestinal diseases. The aim of our study was to apply faecal taxation (i.e., faecal pellet counting in representative test areas to estimate the potential availability of diffuse pollution sources) in combination with a detailed microbiological faecal pollution analysis in a riverine environment to elucidate the importance of diffuse pollution. To realize this approach, ambient faecal pellets, a multiparametric data set for standard faecal indicator bacteria (SFIB), including Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens spores and enterococci from catchment soil and river water, and a number of riverine water physicochemical variables were analysed during a one-year cycle. We demonstrated that the abundance of ambient faecal pellets, which were consistently counted at reference sites in the catchment, was associated with faecal pollution in the river water. Water SFIB, dissolved oxygen, nutrients, conductivity and total suspended solids were strongly linked with the abundance of ambient faecal pellets in the river catchment, as demonstrated by principal component analysis (PCA). Elevated concentrations of SFIB in the riverine water in the absence of rainfall also suggested the direct input of faecal bacteria into the riverine water by livestock (e.g., during watering) and humans (e.g., during bathing). Statistical analyses further revealed that the microbiological water quality of the investigated riverine water was not influenced by SFIB potentially occurring in the soil. This study demonstrates the importance of diffuse faecal pollution sources as major drivers of the microbiological quality of riverine water in the Ethiopian highlands. In addition, the new successfully applied integrated approach could be very useful for developing predictive models, which would aid in forecasting riverine microbiological quality in tropical developing countries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Douglas Mushi
- Department of Biosciences, Solomon Mahlangu College of Science and Education, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3038, Morogoro, Tanzania E-mail: ; Douglas Mushi and Geda Kebede contributed equally to this article
| | - Geda Kebede
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ambo University, P.O. Box 95, Ambo, Ethiopia; Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management (IHG), BOKU, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 33, 1180 Vienna, Austria; Douglas Mushi and Geda Kebede contributed equally to this article
| | - Rita B Linke
- Research Group of Environmental Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics 166/5/3, Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, TU Wien, Gumpendorferstrasse 1A/166, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - Aschalew Lakew
- National Fishery and Aquatic Life Research Centre, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), P.O. Box 64, Sebeta, Ethiopia
| | - Daniel S Hayes
- Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management (IHG), BOKU, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 33, 1180 Vienna, Austria; Centro de Estudos Florestais (CEF), University of Lisbon, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Wolfram Graf
- Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management (IHG), BOKU, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 33, 1180 Vienna, Austria
| | - Andreas H Farnleitner
- Research Group of Environmental Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics 166/5/3, Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, TU Wien, Gumpendorferstrasse 1A/166, 1060 Vienna, Austria; Research Division Water Quality and Health, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Microbiology, Karl Landsteiner University for Health Sciences, Dr.-Karl-Dorrek-Straße 30, 3500 Krems an der Donau, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Goshu G, Koelmans AA, de Klein JJM. Performance of faecal indicator bacteria, microbial source tracking, and pollution risk mapping in tropical water. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 276:116693. [PMID: 33631685 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Faecal indicator bacteria (FIB) are used for the assessment of faecal pollution and possible water quality deterioration. There is growing evidence that FIB used in temperate regions are not adequate and reliable to detect faecal pollution in tropical regions. Hence, this study evaluated the adequacy of FIB, including total coliforms (TC), Escherichia coli (EC), Enterococci (IEC), and Clostridium perfringens (CP) in the high-altitude, tropical country of Ethiopia. In addition to FIB, for microbial source tracking (MST), a ruminant-associated molecular marker was applied at different water types and altitudes, and faecal pollution risk mapping was conducted based on consensus FIB. The performances of the indicators were evaluated at 22 sites from different water types. The results indicate that EC cell enumeration and CP spore determination perform well for faecal contamination monitoring. Most of the sub-basins of Lake Tana were found to be moderately to highly polluted, and the levels of pollution were demonstrated to be higher in the rainy season than in the post-rainy season. Markers associated with ruminants (BacR) were identified in more than three quarters of the sites. A bacterial pollution risk map was developed for sub-basins of Lake Tana, including the un-gauged sub-basins. We demonstrate how bacterial pollution risk mapping can aid in improvements to water quality testing and reduce risk to the general population from stream bacteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Goraw Goshu
- Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management Group, Department of Environmental Sciences, Wageningen University &Research, P.O. Box, 47,6700AA, Wageningen, the Netherlands; College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences and Blue Nile Water Institute, Bahir Dar University, P.O. Box 1701, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
| | - A A Koelmans
- Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management Group, Department of Environmental Sciences, Wageningen University &Research, P.O. Box, 47,6700AA, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - J J M de Klein
- Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management Group, Department of Environmental Sciences, Wageningen University &Research, P.O. Box, 47,6700AA, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
González-Fernández A, Symonds EM, Gallard-Gongora JF, Mull B, Lukasik JO, Rivera Navarro P, Badilla Aguilar A, Peraud J, Brown ML, Mora Alvarado D, Breitbart M, Cairns MR, Harwood VJ. Relationships among microbial indicators of fecal pollution, microbial source tracking markers, and pathogens in Costa Rican coastal waters. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 188:116507. [PMID: 33126000 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Tropical coastal waters are understudied, despite their ecological and economic importance. They also reflect projected climate change scenarios for other climate zones, e.g., increased rainfall and water temperatures. We conducted an exploratory microbial water quality study at a tropical beach influenced by sewage-contaminated rivers, and tested the hypothesis that fecal microorganisms (fecal coliforms, enterococci, Clostridium perfringens, somatic and male-specific coliphages, pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV), Bacteroides HF183, norovirus genogroup I (NoVGI), Salmonella, Cryptosporidium and Giardia) would vary by season and tidal stage. Most microorganisms' concentrations were greater in the rainy season; however, NoVGI was only detected in the dry season and Cryptosporidium was the only pathogen most frequently detected in rainy season. Fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) levels exceeded recreational water quality criteria standards in >85% of river samples and in <50% of ocean samples, regardless of the FIB or regulatory criterion. Chronic sewage contamination was demonstrated by detection of HF183 and PMMoV in 100% of river samples, and in >89% of ocean samples. Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Salmonella, and NoVGI were frequently detected in rivers (39%, 39%, 26%, and 39% of samples, respectively), but infrequently in ocean water, particularly during the dry season. Multivariate analysis showed that C. perfringens, somatic coliphage, male-specific coliphage, and PMMoV were the subset of indicators that maximized the correlation with pathogens in the rivers. In the ocean, the best subset of indicators was enterococci, male-specific coliphage, and PMMoV. We also executed redudancy analyses on environmental parameters and microorganim concentrations, and found that rainfall best predicted microbial concentrations. The seasonal interplay of rainfall and pathogen prevalence undoubtedly influences beach users' health risks. Relationships are likely to be complex, with some risk factors increasing and others decreasing each season. Future use of multivariate approaches to better understand linkages among environmental conditions, microbial predictors (fecal indicators and MST markers), and pathogens will improve prediction of high-risk scenarios at recreational beaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Erin M Symonds
- College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
| | | | - Bonnie Mull
- Biological Consulting Services of North Central Floida, Inc., Gainesville, FL 32609, USA
| | - Jerzy O Lukasik
- Biological Consulting Services of North Central Floida, Inc., Gainesville, FL 32609, USA
| | - Pablo Rivera Navarro
- Laboratorio Nacional de Aguas, Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, Tres Ríos, Cartago, Costa Rica
| | - Andrei Badilla Aguilar
- Laboratorio Nacional de Aguas, Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, Tres Ríos, Cartago, Costa Rica
| | - Jayme Peraud
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
| | - Megan L Brown
- Department of Anthropology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX 75205, USA
| | - Darner Mora Alvarado
- Laboratorio Nacional de Aguas, Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, Tres Ríos, Cartago, Costa Rica
| | - Mya Breitbart
- College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
| | - Maryann R Cairns
- Department of Anthropology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX 75205, USA
| | - Valerie J Harwood
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Devane ML, Moriarty E, Weaver L, Cookson A, Gilpin B. Fecal indicator bacteria from environmental sources; strategies for identification to improve water quality monitoring. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 185:116204. [PMID: 32745743 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In tropical to temperate environments, fecal indicator bacteria (FIB), such as enterococci and Escherichia coli, can persist and potentially multiply, far removed from their natural reservoir of the animal gut. FIB isolated from environmental reservoirs such as stream sediments, beach sand and vegetation have been termed "naturalized" FIB. In addition, recent research suggests that the intestines of poikilothermic animals such as fish may be colonized by enterococci and E. coli, and therefore, these animals may contribute to FIB concentrations in the aquatic environment. Naturalized FIB that are derived from fecal inputs into the environment, and subsequently adapted to maintain their population within the non-host environment are termed "naturalized enteric FIB". In contrast, an additional theory suggests that some "naturalized" FIB diverged from enteric FIB many millions of years ago and are now normal inhabitants of the environment where they are referred to as "naturalized non-enteric FIB". In the case of the Escherichia genus, the naturalized non-enteric members are identified as E. coli during routine water quality monitoring. An over-estimation of the health risk could result when these naturalized, non-enteric FIB, (that is, not derived from avian or mammalian fecal contamination), contribute to water quality monitoring results. It has been postulated that these environmental FIB belonging to the genera Escherichia and Enterococcus can be differentiated from enteric FIB by genetic methods because they lack some of the genes required for colonization of the host intestine, and have acquired genes that aid survival in the environment. Advances in molecular tools such as next generation sequencing will aid the identification of genes peculiar or "enriched" in particular habitats to discriminate between enteric and environmental FIB. In this appraisal, we have reviewed the research studying "naturalized" FIB, and discussed the techniques for their differentiation from enteric FIB. This differentiation includes the important distinction between enteric FIB derived from fresh and non-recent fecal inputs, and those truly non-enteric environmental microbes, which are currently identified as FIB during routine water quality monitoring. The inclusion of tools for the identification of naturalized FIB (enteric or environmental) would be a valuable resource for future studies assessing water quality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Megan L Devane
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd., 27 Creyke Rd, Ilam, Christchurch, New Zealand.
| | - Elaine Moriarty
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd., 27 Creyke Rd, Ilam, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Louise Weaver
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd., 27 Creyke Rd, Ilam, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Adrian Cookson
- AgResearch Ltd., Hopkirk Research Institute, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand; mEpiLab, School of Veterinary Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Brent Gilpin
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd., 27 Creyke Rd, Ilam, Christchurch, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Stapleton GS, Cazer CL, Gröhn YT. Modeling the Effect of Tylosin Phosphate on Macrolide-Resistant Enterococci in Feedlots and Reducing Resistance Transmission. Foodborne Pathog Dis 2020; 18:85-96. [PMID: 33006484 DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2020.2835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tylosin phosphate (TYL) is administered to more than 50% of U.S. beef cattle to reduce the incidence of liver abscesses but may increase the risk of macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin-resistant bacteria disseminating from the feedlot. Limited evidence has been collected to understand how TYL affects the proportion of resistant bacteria in cattle or the feedlot environment. We created a mathematical model to investigate the effects of TYL administration on Enterococcus dynamics and examined preharvest strategies to mitigate the impact of TYL administration on resistance. The model simulated the physiological pharmacokinetics of orally administered TYL and estimated the pharmacodynamic effects of TYL on populations of resistant and susceptible Enterococcus within the cattle large intestine, feedlot pen, water trough, and feed bunk. The model parameters' population distributions were based on the available literature; 1000 Monte Carlo simulations were performed to estimate the likely distribution of outcomes. At the end of the simulated treatment period, the median estimated proportion of macrolide-resistant enterococci was only 1 percentage point higher within treated cattle compared with cattle not fed TYL, in part because the TYL concentrations in the large intestine were substantially lower than the enterococci minimum inhibitory concentrations. However, 25% of the simulated cattle had a >10 percentage point increase in the proportion of resistant enterococci associated with TYL administration, termed the TYL effect. The model predicts withdrawing TYL treatment and moving cattle to an antimicrobial-free terminal pen with a low prevalence of resistant environmental enterococci for as few as 6 days could reduce the TYL effect by up to 14 percentage points. Additional investigation of the importance of this subset of cattle to the overall risk of resistance transmission from feedlots will aid in the interpretation and implementation of resistance mitigation strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Casey L Cazer
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Yrjö T Gröhn
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Letshwenyo MW, Lebogang L. Assessment of roughing and slow sand filter modified with slag and clinker ash for removal of microorganisms from secondary effluent. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY 2020; 41:3004-3015. [PMID: 30871421 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2019.1593513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Slow sand filtration has been used for decades for the removal of pathogens from water. A combination of roughing and slow sand filters has been evaluated for the removal of pathogen indicators from secondary effluent. The filter system was modified with the addition of slag and coal clinker ash. The filter system reached up to 100% removal of faecal coliforms, faecal streptococci, Escherichia coli and total coliforms after 17 weeks of treatment. Log reductions ranged between 0.0-4.1, 1.33-2.0, 1.34-2.37 and 1.4-4.5 for E. coli, faecal streptococci, faecal coliforms and total coliforms respectively. There was no strong correlation between pH and the bacterial counts as correlation coefficients were -0.15, 0.15, 0.38 and -0.07 in respect to E. coli, faecal coliforms, faecal streptococci and total coliforms. The correlation coefficients for temperature were -0.18, -0.14, 0.10, and -0.39 for E. coli, faecal coliforms, faecal streptococci and total coliforms respectively, suggesting that temperature did not influence the bacterial removal efficiency. For turbidity, the correlation coefficients were 0.64, 0.70, 0.68 and -0.06 respectively, for E. coli, faecal coliforms, faecal streptococci and total coliforms. Only total coliforms had no correlation with turbidity. There was a significant difference between effluent from holding tank and slow sand filter as p values of 0.008, 0.0006, 0.00000, and 0.00008 were observed for faecal coliforms, faecal streptococci, E. coli and total coliforms counts, respectively. The results obtained indicate that the combination of roughing and slow sand filters can successfully reduce microorganisms from secondary wastewater.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Moatlhodi Wise Letshwenyo
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Palapye, Botswana
| | - Lesedi Lebogang
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Palapye, Botswana
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Palmer JA, Law JY, Soupir ML. Spatial and temporal distribution of E. coli contamination on three inland lake and recreational beach systems in the upper Midwestern United States. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 722:137846. [PMID: 32197161 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Swimming advisories are commonly posted at public beaches across the United States every year. In Iowa, weekly monitoring of public swimming areas at state and county beaches have resulted in the impairment of numerous lakes for fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) contamination, as detected by E. coli. An extensive study was established to assess the relationships between E. coli contamination of nearshore beach water environments, open lake conditions and beach sands in three recreational beach/lake systems currently impaired for FIB contamination across Iowa. A transect/grab sample based sampling design was implemented across the systems with collections spanning from April through October of 2015 and 2016. Collections of E. coli along water transects identified strong near to far shore gradients of decreasing concentrations in all systems. Results indicate that concentrations of E. coli observed in swimming waters consistently disassociate with concentrations in the broader lake environment. Swimming water E. coli concentrations correlated with elevated beach sand E. coli, samples collected from beach sands uncovered concentrations up to 86,500 times higher than adjacent swimming waters. Results from this study indicate that foreshore beach sands and other beach proximate FIB sources serve as the major contributing source for swimming zone advisories. The current methodology used by state and federal officials includes impairing entire lake waterbodies for FIB contamination of the swimming area. These impairment listings do not accurately reflect the condition(s) of the larger lake environment outside the swimming area and fail to account for beach proximate conditions in the assessment process. Further, this approach provides potentially misleading information to the public and may undermine implementation strategies deployed by resource managers aimed at addressing FIB contamination at recreational swimming areas. Views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason A Palmer
- Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 502 E 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319, USA.
| | - Ji-Yeow Law
- Department of Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering, Iowa State University, 3358 Elings Hall, Bissell Rd, Ames, IA 50011, USA.
| | - Michelle L Soupir
- Department of Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering, Iowa State University, 3358 Elings Hall, Bissell Rd, Ames, IA 50011, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Kelly E, Gidley M, Sinigalliano C, Kumar N, Brand L, Harris RJ, Solo-Gabriele HM. Proliferation of microalgae and enterococci in the Lake Okeechobee, St. Lucie, and Loxahatchee watersheds. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 171:115441. [PMID: 31927090 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2019.115441] [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: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This study is an analysis of relationships between microalgae (measured as chlorophyll a) and the fecal indicator bacteria enterococci. Microalgae blooms and enterococci exceedances have been occurring in Florida's recreational waterways for years. More recently, this has become a management concern as microalgae blooms have been attributed to potentially toxic cyanobacteria, and enterococci exceedances link to human infection/illness. Since both the microalgal blooms and bacterial exceedances occur in regions that receive managed freshwater releases from Lake Okeechobee, we hypothesized that both the blooms and exceedances are related to excess nutrients from the lake. Two experimental sites, on Lake Okeechobee and the St. Lucie River (downstream of the lake), plus a control site on the Loxahatchee River (which does not receive lake flow) were evaluated. The hypothesis was evaluated through three study components: 1) analysis of available long-term data from local environmental databases, 2) a year-long monthly sampling and analysis of chlorophyll a, enterococci, nutrients, and physical-chemical data, and 3) microcosm experiments with altered water/sediment conditions. Results support the hypothesis that excess nutrients play a role in both chlorophyll a and enterococci levels. For the St. Lucie River, analyses indicate that chlorophyll a correlated significantly with total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) (R2 = 0.30, p = 0.008) and the strongest model for enterococci included nitrate-nitrite, TKN, total phosphorus, orthophosphorus, and turbidity in our long-term analysis (n = 39, R2 = 0.83, p ≤ 0.001). The microcosm results indicated that chlorophyll a and enterococci only persisted for 36 h in water from all sources, and that sediments from Lake Okeechobee may have allowed for sustained levels of chlorophyll a and enterococci levels. Overall similarities were observed in chlorophyll a and enterococci relationships with nutrient concentrations regardless of a Lake Okeechobee connection, as underscored by a study of flow out of the lake and downstream areas. This suggests that both nutrient-rich lake water and untreated surface water runoff contribute to microalgae blooms and enterococci exceedances in southeast Florida.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Kelly
- University of Miami Leonard and Jayne Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy, Coral Gables, FL, USA; University of Miami Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Coral Gables, FL, USA; NSF NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - M Gidley
- NSF NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) Environmental Microbiology, Miami, USA; University of Miami Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS), Miami, USA
| | - C Sinigalliano
- NSF NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) Environmental Microbiology, Miami, USA
| | - N Kumar
- University of Miami Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of Environment & Public Health, Miami, FL, USA
| | - L Brand
- NSF NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA; University of Miami Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS), Miami, FL, USA
| | - R J Harris
- Loxahatchee River District, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - H M Solo-Gabriele
- University of Miami Leonard and Jayne Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy, Coral Gables, FL, USA; University of Miami Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Coral Gables, FL, USA; NSF NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Rodrigues Peres M, Ebdon J, Purnell S, Taylor H. Potential microbial transmission pathways in rural communities using multiple alternative water sources in semi-arid Brazil. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2020; 224:113431. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2019.113431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/07/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
|
29
|
Siddiqee MH, Henry R, Deletic A, Bulach DM, Coleman RA, McCarthy DT. Salmonella from a Microtidal Estuary Are Capable of Invading Human Intestinal Cell Lines. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2020; 79:259-270. [PMID: 31384980 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-019-01419-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Faecal contamination poses health risks for the recreational users of urban estuaries. However, our understanding of the potential pathogenicity of faecal microbes in these environments is limited. To this end, a study was conducted to understand the spatial and seasonal distribution of Salmonella in water and sediments of the Yarra River estuary, Melbourne, Australia. Among 210 samples in total, culturable Salmonella were recovered from 27%, 17%, and 19% of water, bank, and bed sediment samples, respectively. The combined detection increased from 15% in winter to 32% in summer (p < 0.05) indicating seasonal variation as potential part of public health risk assessments. Further, pathogenic potential of the Salmonella isolates was characterised via the quantification of attachment and invasion capacity using human epithelial colorectal cell line Caco-2 on a subset of isolates (n = 62). While all of these isolates could attach and invade Caco-2 cells, 52% and 13% of these showed greater attachment and invasiveness, respectively, than the corresponding mean values for S. Typhimurium ATCC14028 control. Isolates from winter were on average more invasive (seven out of eight isolates with the highest invasiveness recovered from the colder sampling period) than the isolates from summer, and Salmonella collected during summer showed lower invasion (p < 0.05) compared with the control. Similar low invasion compared with the same control was observed for isolates recovered from bank sediment (p < 0.05). While the higher prevalence in summer may imply higher risks during these peak recreational periods, it is essential that this information is used in combination with quantitative microbial risk assessments to fully understand the health risks posed by Salmonella in microtidal estuaries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahbubul H Siddiqee
- Environmental and Public Health Microbiology Laboratory (EPHM LAB), Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Molecular and Environmental Microbiology Laboratory (MEM LAB), Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Rebekah Henry
- Environmental and Public Health Microbiology Laboratory (EPHM LAB), Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ana Deletic
- Environmental and Public Health Microbiology Laboratory (EPHM LAB), Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Dieter M Bulach
- The Doherty Institute and Melbourne Bioinformatics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Rhys A Coleman
- Melbourne Water Corporation, Docklands, VIC, 3008, Australia
| | - David T McCarthy
- Environmental and Public Health Microbiology Laboratory (EPHM LAB), Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Huda TMN, Schmidt WP, Pickering AJ, Unicomb L, Mahmud ZH, Luby SP, Biran A. Effect of Neighborhood Sanitation Coverage on Fecal Contamination of the Household Environment in Rural Bangladesh. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 100:717-726. [PMID: 30675846 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.16-0996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Enteric pathogens can be transmitted within the household and the surrounding neighborhood. The objective of this study was to understand the effect of neighborhood-level sanitation coverage on contamination of the household environment with levels of fecal indicator bacteria in rural Bangladesh. We conducted spot-check observations of sanitation facilities in neighboring households (NHs) within a 20-m radius of target households with children aged 6-24 months. Sanitation facilities were defined as improved (a private pit latrine with a slab or better) or unimproved. Fecal coliforms (FCs) on children's hands and sentinel toy balls were measured and used as indicators of household-level fecal contamination. We visited 1,784 NHs surrounding 428 target households. On average, sentinel toy balls had 2.11(standard deviation [SD] = 1.37) log10 colony-forming units (CFUs) of FCs/toy ball and children's hands had 2.23 (SD = 1.15) log10 CFU of FCs/two hands. Access to 100% private improved sanitation coverage in the neighborhood was associated with a small and statistically insignificant difference in contamination of sentinel toy balls (difference in means = -0.13 log10 CFU/toy ball; 95% confidence intervals [CI]: -0.64, 0.39; P = 0.63) and children's hands (difference in means = -0.11 log10 CFU/two hands; 95% CI: -0.53, 0.32; P = 0.62). Improved sanitation coverage in the neighborhood had limited measurable effect on FCs in the target household environment. Other factors such as access to improved sanitation in the household, absence of cow dung, presence of appropriate water drainage, and optimal handwashing practice may be more important in reducing FCs in the household environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tarique Md Nurul Huda
- icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh.,London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Adam Biran
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Miller-Pierce MR, Rhoads NA. Clostridium perfringens testing improves the reliability of detecting non-point source sewage contamination in Hawaiian coastal waters compared to using Enterococci alone. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2019; 144:36-47. [PMID: 31180005 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.04.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Revised: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/20/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Non-point sources of sewage-related pollution in tropical marine waters are difficult to ascertain. Enterococci (ENT) are widely used as indicators of human waste but their efficacy in tropical waters is highly debated due to natural presence in tropical soils. Clostridium perfringens (CP) is often used as a secondary indicator of fecal contamination because its presence indicates sewage, and in tropical waters environmental sources are unlikely. We analyzed a 27-year dataset containing over 29,000 samples collected by the State of Hawaii, to determine a proposed CP standard for detecting human sewage, which has applicability throughout tropical marine waters globally. Measured ENT concentrations were highly correlated with turbidity. In three instances, sewage contamination was not detected by ENT samples alone, and impairments from non-point pollution may be highly misinformed in Hawaii. The EPA should examine relationships between CP and human health and implement CP as the primary FIB in tropical marine waters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mailea R Miller-Pierce
- School of Biological Sciences and NSPIRE IGERT, Washington State University, 14204 NE Salmon Creek Avenue, Vancouver, WA 98686, USA.
| | - Neil A Rhoads
- School of Biological Sciences and NSPIRE IGERT, Washington State University, 14204 NE Salmon Creek Avenue, Vancouver, WA 98686, USA
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Lamori JG, Xue J, Rachmadi AT, Lopez GU, Kitajima M, Gerba CP, Pepper IL, Brooks JP, Sherchan S. Removal of fecal indicator bacteria and antibiotic resistant genes in constructed wetlands. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:10188-10197. [PMID: 30758793 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-04468-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater discharge evidently increased bacterial diversity in the receiving waterbodies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a constructed wetland in reducing fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) and antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs). We determined the prevalence and attenuation of fecal indicator bacteria including Escherichia coli and enterococci, along with ARGs, and human-associated Bacteroidales (HF183) markers by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method. Three types of water samples (inlet, intermediate, and outlet) from a constructed wetland were collected once a month from May to December in 2013. The overall reduction of E. coli was 50.0% based on culture method. According to the qPCR result, the overall removal rate of E. coli was only 6.7%. Enterococci were found in 62.5% of the wetland samples. HF183 genetic marker was detected in all final effluent samples with concentration ranging from 1.8 to 4.22 log10 gene copies (GC)/100 ml. Of the ARGs tested, erythromycin resistance genes (ermF) were detected in 79.2% of the wetland samples. The class 1 integrase (intI1) was detected in all water samples with concentration ranging from 0.83 to 5.54 log10 GC/100 ml. The overall removal rates of enterococci, HF183, intI1, and ermF were 84.0%, 66.6%, 67.2%, and 13.1%, respectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer G Lamori
- Department of Global Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Jia Xue
- Department of Global Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Andri T Rachmadi
- Division of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, North13 West8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8628, Japan
| | - Gerardo U Lopez
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, The University of Arizona, 1007 E. Lowell St., Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Masaaki Kitajima
- Division of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, North13 West8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8628, Japan
| | - Charles P Gerba
- Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science, The University of Arizona, 1117 E. Lowell St., Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Ian L Pepper
- Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science, The University of Arizona, 1117 E. Lowell St., Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
- Water and Energy Sustainable Technology (WEST) Center, The University of Arizona, 2959 West Calle Agua Nueva, Tucson, AZ, 85745, USA
| | - John P Brooks
- Genetics and Sustainable Agriculture Unit, USDA-ARS, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA
| | - Samendra Sherchan
- Department of Global Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Hajj-Mohamad M, Hachad M, Deschamps G, Sauvé S, Villemur R, Blais MA, Prévost M, Dorner S. Fecal contamination of storm sewers: Evaluating wastewater micropollutants, human-specific Bacteroides 16S rRNA, and mitochondrial DNA genetic markers as alternative indicators of sewer cross connections. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 659:548-560. [PMID: 31096384 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.12.378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2016] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
A set of fecal indicator bacteria and alternative markers were tested for their use to identify priority sectors of two urban watersheds in the Greater Montreal region with unintended household sewage connections to storm drainage systems. Analyses were performed for thermotolerant (fecal) coliforms (FC), Escherichia coli, human-specific Bacteroidales (HF183) and mitochondrial DNA (Hmt) markers, carbamazepine (CBZ), caffeine (CAF), theophylline (THEO) and acetaminophen (ACE). A high incidence of human fecal contamination was observed, illustrating the need for a method to appropriately prioritize sectors for the rehabilitation of sewer cross-connections. Concentrations of alternative markers were not significantly different between the residential and industrial/commercial/institutional (ICI) sectors. However, median E. coli concentrations were higher in the residential as compared to ICI sectors (p < 0.05). Hmt marker, CAF, and THEO were well correlated to E. coli in the ICI sector (r > 0.61, p < 0.05). Considering all sites, only CAF and THEO were correlated to E. coli (r > 0.59, p < 0.05), possibly as a result of higher E. coli inputs from other sources such as domestic animals or fauna in the residential sector. Thresholds were determined to relate alternative markers to E. coli for use in an index for prioritizing sectors with sewer cross-connections. HF183, Hmt, CAF, THEO, and ACE were identified as suitable markers for identifying sewer cross-connections and are more reliable than E. coli alone, most importantly in residential sectors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariam Hajj-Mohamad
- Canada Research Chair in Source Water Protection, Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, C.P. 6079, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3A7, Canada; NSERC Industrial Chair in Drinking Water Treatment, Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, C.P. 6079, Succursale Centre-ville Montréal, QC H3C 3A7, Canada
| | - Mounia Hachad
- Canada Research Chair in Source Water Protection, Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, C.P. 6079, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3A7, Canada
| | - Guy Deschamps
- Service du Développement et des Opérations, Direction de L'environnement et du Développement Durable, Division de la Planification et du Suivi Environnemental, Réseau de Suivi du Milieu Aquatique, Ville de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2M 2T8, Canada
| | - Sébastien Sauvé
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Richard Villemur
- INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Laval, QC H7V 1B7, Canada
| | - Marc-André Blais
- INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Laval, QC H7V 1B7, Canada
| | - Michèle Prévost
- NSERC Industrial Chair in Drinking Water Treatment, Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, C.P. 6079, Succursale Centre-ville Montréal, QC H3C 3A7, Canada
| | - Sarah Dorner
- Canada Research Chair in Source Water Protection, Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, C.P. 6079, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3A7, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
O'Mullan GD, Juhl AR, Reichert R, Schneider E, Martinez N. Patterns of sediment-associated fecal indicator bacteria in an urban estuary: Benthic-pelagic coupling and implications for shoreline water quality. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 656:1168-1177. [PMID: 30625648 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.11.405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Estuarine and coastal waterways are commonly monitored for fecal and sewage contamination to protect recreator health and ecosystem functions. Such monitoring programs commonly rely on cultivation-based counts of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) in water column samples. Recent studies demonstrate that sediments and beach sands can be heavily colonized by FIB, and that settling and resuspension of colonized particles may significantly influence the distribution of FIB in the water column. However, measurements of sediment FIB are rarely incorporated into monitoring programs, and geographic surveys of sediment FIB are uncommon. In this study, the distribution of FIB and the extent of benthic-pelagic FIB coupling were examined in the urbanized, lower Hudson River Estuary. Using cultivation-based enumeration, two commonly-measured FIB, enterococci and Escherichia coli, were widely distributed in both sediment and water, and were positively correlated with each other. The taxonomic identity of FIB isolates from water and sediment was confirmed by DNA sequencing. The geometric mean of FIB concentration in sediment was correlated with both the geometric mean of FIB in water samples from the same locations and with sediment organic carbon. These two positive associations likely reflect water as the FIB source for underlying sediments, and longer FIB persistence in the sediments compared to the water, respectively. The relative representation of other fecal associated bacterial genera in sediment, determined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, increased with the sequence representation of the two FIB, supporting the value of these FIB for assessing sediment contamination. Experimental resuspension of sediment increased shoreline water column FIB concentrations, which may explain why shoreline water samples had higher average FIB concentrations than samples collected nearby but further from shore. In combination, these results demonstrate extensive benthic-pelagic coupling of FIB in an urbanized estuary and highlight the importance of sediment FIB distribution and ecology when interpreting water quality monitoring data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gregory D O'Mullan
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Queen College, City University of New York, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, NY 11367, USA; Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, NY 10964, USA.
| | - Andrew R Juhl
- Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, NY 10964, USA
| | - Roman Reichert
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Queen College, City University of New York, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, NY 11367, USA
| | - Erin Schneider
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Queen College, City University of New York, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, NY 11367, USA
| | - Natalia Martinez
- Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, NY 10964, USA
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
O'Callaghan P, Kelly-Quinn M, Jennings E, Antunes P, O'Sullivan M, Fenton O, hUallacháin DÓ. The Environmental Impact of Cattle Access to Watercourses: A Review. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 2019; 48:340-351. [PMID: 30951116 DOI: 10.2134/jeq2018.04.0167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The degradation of freshwater resources and loss of freshwater biodiversity by anthropogenic activities, including agriculture, are of major global concern. Together with diffuse pollutants, point sources, such as where cattle have direct access to riparian margins and watercourses, can potentially present significant environmental challenges. These can include impacts on stream morphology, increased sedimentation, nutrient additions, microbial contamination, and impacts on aquatic biota. Mitigation measures aimed at reducing these frequently include reducing the amount of time cattle spend in riparian margins and watercourses. This is often accomplished through the provision of an alternative water supply and grazing management, or even cattle exclusion measures. Although a number of studies refer to potential negative impacts, there has been little attempt to review previous research on this topic. The key aim of this paper is to collate and review these disparate studies, as well as those relating to the effectiveness of mitigation measures. Although it is difficult to draw generalizations from studies due to the inherent variability between and within catchments, evidence pertaining to impacts in relation to sedimentation, pathogens, and riparian margin vegetation were strong. Conclusions in relation to impacts on stream morphology and nutrient parameters were less clear, whereas studies on responses of macroinvertebrate communities were particularly variable, with differences due to cattle access difficult to separate from catchment scale effects. A greater understanding of the impact of cattle access on watercourses under varying conditions will help inform policymakers on the cost effectiveness of existing management criteria and will help in revising existing measures.
Collapse
|
36
|
Ahmed W, Zhang Q, Kozak S, Beale D, Gyawali P, Sadowsky MJ, Simpson S. Comparative decay of sewage-associated marker genes in beach water and sediment in a subtropical region. WATER RESEARCH 2019; 149:511-521. [PMID: 30500686 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.10.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Revised: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
There is a growing move towards using the quantitative polymerase chain (qPCR)-based sewage-associated marker genes to assess surface water quality. However, a lack of understanding about the persistence of many sewage-associated markers creates uncertainty for those tasked with investigating microbial water quality. In this study, we investigated the decay of two qPCR FIB [E. coli (EC), and Enterococcus spp. (ENT) 23S rRNA genes] and four sewage-associated microbial source tracking (MST) marker genes [human Bacteroides HF183 16S rRNA, adenovirus (HAdV), and polyomavirus (HPyV), and crAssphage, a recently described bacteriophage in feces], in outdoor mesocosms containing fresh and marine waters and their corresponding sediments. Decay rates of EC 23S rRNA, ENT 23S rRNA, and HF183 16S rRNA were significantly (p < 0.05) faster than the HAdV, HPyV and crAssphage markers in water samples from all mesocosms. In general, decay rates of bacterial targets were similar in the water columns of the studied mesocosms. Similarly, decay rates of viral targets were also alike in mesocosm water columns in relation to each other. The decay rates of FIB and sewage-associated markers were significantly faster in water samples compared to sediments in all three mesocosms. In the event of resuspension, FIB and marker genes from sediments can potentially recontaminate overlying waters. Thus, care should be taken when interpreting the occurrence of FIB and sewage-associated MST markers in water, which may have originated from sediments. The differential decay of these targets may also influence health outcomes and need to be considered in risk assessment models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Warish Ahmed
- CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Qld, 4102, Australia.
| | - Qian Zhang
- BioTechnology Institute, Departments of Soil, Water & Climate, and Plant & Microbial Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Sonya Kozak
- School of Medicine, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - David Beale
- CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Qld, 4102, Australia
| | - Pradip Gyawali
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd., Kenepuru Science Center, Porirura, 5240, New Zealand
| | - Michael J Sadowsky
- BioTechnology Institute, Departments of Soil, Water & Climate, and Plant & Microbial Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Stuart Simpson
- CSIRO Land and Water, Lucas Heights, NSW, 2234, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Kongprajug A, Chyerochana N, Somnark P, Leelapanang Kampaengthong P, Mongkolsuk S, Sirikanchana K. Human and animal microbial source tracking in a tropical river with multiple land use activities. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2019; 222:645-654. [PMID: 30686524 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2019.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2018] [Revised: 12/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The enhancement and restoration of the water quality of deteriorating surface water resources can be challenging, particularly for rivers with multiple usages, such as agriculture, animal husbandry, human residence, and industries. Recently, the performance of DNA-based microbial source tracking (MST) indicators detected by end-point and quantitative PCR assays for identifying sources of fecal pollution from human sewage, swine, and cattle and non-host-specific (universal) fecal pollution in the Tha Chin River basin, Thailand, was evaluated. The present study monitored these validated MST markers and various physicochemical and microbial water quality parameters in samples collected from twelve stations along the Tha Chin River during four sampling events in the wet and dry seasons. No significant difference in precipitation was observed between the wet and dry samplings. Universal markers (both PCR and qPCR) were detected in all 48 samples, indicating persistent and continuing fecal contamination. The sewage- and swine-specific qPCR marker concentrations did not vary among the sampling events, whereas cattle-specific qPCR markers were detected only in the wet season. Animal-specific markers were detected in the lower Tha Chin River section, which is characterized by intensive animal farming. Sewage-specific markers were also found in the lower section and near an upstream residential area. The high agreement (87.5-100%) between the PCR and qPCR results suggested that PCR could serve as a lower-cost MST screening test that requires less technical expertise. A multivariate analysis conducted using the survival analysis procedure to include censored data also emphasized the high pollution in the lower section of the river at all sampling events. Universal and swine-specific markers showed moderate correlations with microbial indicators, including total coliforms, fecal coliforms, E. coli, and enterococci. None of the MST markers or microbial parameters were associated with the measured physicochemical parameters. This study provides the first evaluation of MST markers for monitoring surface freshwater in Thailand, and the findings might aid the pollution surveillance of impaired water bodies and the development of strategies for improving their water quality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Akechai Kongprajug
- Research Laboratory of Biotechnology, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand
| | - Natcha Chyerochana
- Research Laboratory of Biotechnology, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand
| | - Pornjira Somnark
- Applied Biological Sciences, Chulabhorn Graduate Institute, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand
| | - Pinida Leelapanang Kampaengthong
- Water Quality Management Bureau, Pollution Control Department, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Skorn Mongkolsuk
- Research Laboratory of Biotechnology, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand; Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology, CHE, Ministry of Education, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Kwanrawee Sirikanchana
- Research Laboratory of Biotechnology, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand; Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology, CHE, Ministry of Education, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Kolm C, Martzy R, Führer M, Mach RL, Krska R, Baumgartner S, Farnleitner AH, Reischer GH. Detection of a microbial source tracking marker by isothermal helicase-dependent amplification and a nucleic acid lateral-flow strip test. Sci Rep 2019; 9:393. [PMID: 30674936 PMCID: PMC6344534 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-36749-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last decades, various PCR-based methods have been proposed that can identify sources of faecal pollution in environmental waters. These microbial source tracking (MST) methods are powerful tools to manage water quality and support public health risk assessment. However, their application is limited by the lack of specialized equipment and trained personnel in laboratories performing microbiological water quality assessment. Here, we describe a novel molecular method that combines helicase-dependent amplification (HDA) with a strip test for detecting ruminant faecal pollution sources. Unlike quantitative PCR (qPCR), the developed HDA-strip assay only requires a heating block to amplify the ruminant-associated Bacteroidetes 16S rRNA marker (BacR). Following HDA, the reaction mixture can be directly applied onto the test strip, which detects and displays the amplification products by marker-specific hybridization probes via an on-strip colorimetric reaction. The entire assay takes two hours and demands no extensive practical training. Furthermore, the BacR HDA-strip assay achieved comparable results in head-to-head performance tests with the qPCR reference, in which we investigated source-sensitivity and source-specificity, the analytical limit of detection, and the sample limit of detection. Although this approach only yields qualitative results, it can pave a way for future simple-to-use MST screening tools.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Kolm
- TU Wien, Institute of Chemical, Environmental & Bioscience Engineering, Molecular Diagnostics Group, Department IFA-Tulln, Tulln, Austria
- ICC Interuniversity Cooperation Centre Water & Health, Vienna, Austria
| | - Roland Martzy
- TU Wien, Institute of Chemical, Environmental & Bioscience Engineering, Molecular Diagnostics Group, Department IFA-Tulln, Tulln, Austria
- ICC Interuniversity Cooperation Centre Water & Health, Vienna, Austria
| | - Manuela Führer
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Department IFA-Tulln, Center for Analytical Chemistry, Tulln, Austria
| | - Robert L Mach
- TU Wien, Institute of Chemical, Environmental & Bioscience Engineering, Research Division Biochemical Technology, Research Group Synthetic Biology and Molecular Biotechnology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rudolf Krska
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Department IFA-Tulln, Center for Analytical Chemistry, Tulln, Austria
- Queen's University Belfast, School of Biological Sciences, Institute for Global Food Security, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Sabine Baumgartner
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Department IFA-Tulln, Center for Analytical Chemistry, Tulln, Austria
| | - Andreas H Farnleitner
- ICC Interuniversity Cooperation Centre Water & Health, Vienna, Austria
- Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Research Unit Water Quality and Health, Krems, Austria
- TU Wien, Institute of Chemical, Environmental & Bioscience Engineering, Research Division Biochemical Technology, Research Group of Environmental Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics, Vienna, Austria
| | - Georg H Reischer
- TU Wien, Institute of Chemical, Environmental & Bioscience Engineering, Molecular Diagnostics Group, Department IFA-Tulln, Tulln, Austria.
- TU Wien, Institute of Chemical, Environmental & Bioscience Engineering, Research Division Biochemical Technology, Research Group of Environmental Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics, Vienna, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Bailey ES, Casanova LM, Sobsey MD. Effects of environmental storage conditions on survival of indicator organisms in a blend of surface water and dual disinfected reclaimed water. J Appl Microbiol 2019; 126:985-994. [PMID: 30592123 DOI: 10.1111/jam.14186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Revised: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of temperature, mixing and sunlight exposure on the 5-day survival of Escherichia coli, Enterococcus sp., F+/male-specific coliphages, somatic coliphages and Clostridium perfringens spores in an 80/20 blend of surface water and reclaimed water approved for potable reuse in North Carolina. METHODS AND RESULTS Grab samples of tertiary treated, dual disinfected North Carolina 'Type 2' reclaimed water were collected and mixed with ambient surface waters to create the 80/20 mix and then spiked with naturally occurring organisms present in the blended water or organisms isolated from sewage. Organism survival over the 5-day period was evaluated at 4 and 20°C, 0, 60 and 120 rev min-1 mixing speeds and exposure to sunlight or darkness. The log10 survival ratio was then calculated for each organism at each condition. CONCLUSIONS There were measurable differences between the log10 survival ratios at 5 days for most organisms; indicating that storage can decrease microbial concentrations. Mixing conditions were not a significant factor in microbe survival over the 5-day storage period. Sunlight was the most effective treatment factor to decrease log10 survival during 5-day storage. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY No previous studies have evaluated the survival of micro-organisms in the NC approved 80/20 blend of surface and reclaimed water over the 5-day storage. This study provides the first results on the survival of regulated faecal indicator organisms stored for 5 days in blended water under different environmental conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E S Bailey
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - L M Casanova
- Division of Environmental Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - M D Sobsey
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Roca MA, Brown RS, Solo-Gabriele HM. Fecal indicator bacteria levels at beaches in the Florida Keys after Hurricane Irma. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2019; 138:266-273. [PMID: 30660273 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.09.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Revised: 09/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Hurricanes cause infrastructure failures which can lead to contamination of impacted areas. The objective of the current study was to evaluate whether Hurricane Irma contributed towards sewage contamination of coastal beaches. Through this study we evaluated indicators of fecal pollution (fecal indicator bacteria [FIB], enterococci and fecal coliform) and physico-chemical parameters (salinity, pH, turbidity, and temperature) in coastal waters of the Florida Keys shortly after the hurricane. To augment available county sampling data, two sets of sampling efforts were conducted; one focused on collecting samples spatially throughout the Keys to assess whether areas closer to hurricane landfall were more highly impacted. The second was to collect temporally intensive samples at one location during falling tide to evaluate the hypothesis of groundwater contamination. Samples were analyzed for FIB using a new method called timed appearance of culture signal (TACS), which was subsequently calibrated using traditional membrane filter and chromogenic substrate methods. Results showed that coastal beach waters were characterized by elevated but sporadic levels of fecal indicator bacteria up to two months after the hurricane. Spikes were not correlated with physico-chemical characteristics of the water. Our temporally intensive sampling effort did not support the hypothesis that groundwater was a source of elevated FIB. Competing factors could have played a role in the sporadic nature of the FIB levels after the hurricane. We suggest that beach erosion may have flushed out sediments at beaches closer to the hurricane landfall location thereby improving water quality during dry conditions. We also suggest that during wet conditions a source of FIB could include runoff from debris staging areas. Preemptive beach closures immediately after the hurricane were justified due to the sporadic nature of FIB contamination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A Roca
- Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - R Stephen Brown
- School of Environmental Studies & Department of Chemistry, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Helena M Solo-Gabriele
- Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA; Center for Oceans and Human Health, Rosenstiel School for Marine and Atmospheric Science, Key Biscayne, FL, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Omondi DO, Wairimu MA, Maingi MS, Otieno OG, Jepkorir KC, Okoth OJ, Bangding X. Integrating MFT-qPCR techniques in constructed wetland faecal bacterial purification monitoring; a case of a typical tropical hybrid constructed wetland system. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2018; 78:2008-2018. [PMID: 30566104 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2018.475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The sanitation control of pathogens in the tropical effluents needs much more attention to ensure ecosystem health integrity and the safety of human health. The common use of chemicals in achieving this in wastewater treatment has remained unsustainable due to much health concern. Indeed, based on the numerous challenges associated with faecal pathogenic bacteria in wastewaters, the focus is now on achieving higher purification efficiencies in the elimination of the human pathogens from wastewater through eco-sustainable systems such as constructed wetlands (CWs). Hence, the need to explore the application of constructed wetlands in wastewater treatment under specific local environmental conditions for accurate understanding and improved treatment efficiency. This study therefore aimed at monitoring constructed wetlands faecal bacteria purification efficiency through integrated non-molecular membrane filtration technique and molecular quantitative polymerase chain reaction (MFT-qPCR) technique. The results showed some shortfall in the treatment system and also proved that integrating MFT-qPCR in faecal bacterial purification monitoring within a constructed wetland system provides a more accurate and reliable outcome. Additionally, the wetland purification efficiency was low (<80%) with the dissolved oxygen posing the strongest influence on faecal pathogenic bacterial purification trend across the wetland. Hence, the need to regularly carry out dredging and macrophyte harvesting as well as the use of holistic and more integrative approaches such as MFT-qPCR in managing and monitoring the performance of CWs in faecal pathogen eradication for improved CWs purification efficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Donde Oscar Omondi
- Key Laboratory of Algal Biology of Chinese Academy of Sciences - Lake Restoration Research Group, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China E-mail: ; International College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Department of Environmental Science, Egerton University, P. O. Box 536-20115, Nakuru, Kenya
| | - Muia Anastasia Wairimu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Egerton University, P. O. Box 536-20115, Nakuru, Kenya
| | - Makindi Stanley Maingi
- Department of Environmental Science, Egerton University, P. O. Box 536-20115, Nakuru, Kenya
| | | | - Kibet Caroline Jepkorir
- International College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, No. 7 Donghu South Road, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Ogalo Joseph Okoth
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, No. 44, Xiahong Shan Zhong Qu Fruit Lake Street 430071, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiao Bangding
- Key Laboratory of Algal Biology of Chinese Academy of Sciences - Lake Restoration Research Group, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Siddiqee MH, Henry R, Coulthard R, Schang C, Williamson R, Coleman R, Rooney G, Deletic A, McCarthy D. Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium and Escherichia coli Survival in Estuarine Bank Sediments. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:E2597. [PMID: 30469325 PMCID: PMC6266694 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15112597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Revised: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Estuarine bank sediments have the potential to support the survival and growth of fecal indicator organisms, including Escherichia coli. However, survival of fecal pathogens in estuarine sediments is not well researched and therefore remains a significant knowledge gap regarding public health risks in estuaries. In this study, simultaneous survival of Escherichia coli and a fecal pathogen, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, was studied for 21 days in estuarine bank sediment microcosms. Observed growth patterns for both organisms were comparable under four simulated scenarios; for continuous-desiccation, extended-desiccation, periodic-inundation, and continuous-inundation systems, logarithmic decay coefficients were 1.54/day, 1.51/day, 0.14/day, and 0.20/day, respectively, for E. coli, and 1.72/day, 1.64/day, 0.21/day, and 0.24/day for S. Typhimurium. Re-wetting of continuous-desiccated systems resulted in potential re-growth, suggesting survival under moisture-limited conditions. Key findings from this study include: (i) Bank sediments can potentially support human pathogens (S. Typhimurium), (ii) inundation levels influence the survival of fecal bacteria in estuarine bank sediments, and (iii) comparable survival rates of S. Typhimurium and E. coli implies the latter could be a reliable fecal indicator in urban estuaries. The results from this study will help select suitable monitoring and management strategies for safer recreational activities in urban estuaries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahbubul H Siddiqee
- Environmental and Public Health Microbiology Laboratory (EPHM LAB), Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC-3168, Australia.
- Molecular and Environmental Microbiology Laboratory (MEM LAB), Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, BRAC University, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh.
| | - Rebekah Henry
- Environmental and Public Health Microbiology Laboratory (EPHM LAB), Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC-3168, Australia.
| | - Rebecca Coulthard
- Environmental and Public Health Microbiology Laboratory (EPHM LAB), Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC-3168, Australia.
| | - Christelle Schang
- Environmental and Public Health Microbiology Laboratory (EPHM LAB), Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC-3168, Australia.
| | - Richard Williamson
- Environmental and Public Health Microbiology Laboratory (EPHM LAB), Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC-3168, Australia.
| | - Rhys Coleman
- Melbourne Water Corporation, Docklands, VIC-3008, Australia.
| | - Graham Rooney
- Melbourne Water Corporation, Docklands, VIC-3008, Australia.
| | - Ana Deletic
- Environmental and Public Health Microbiology Laboratory (EPHM LAB), Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC-3168, Australia.
| | - David McCarthy
- Environmental and Public Health Microbiology Laboratory (EPHM LAB), Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC-3168, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Baker KK, Senesac R, Sewell D, Gupta AS, Cumming O, Mumma J. Fecal Fingerprints of Enteric Pathogen Contamination in Public Environments of Kisumu, Kenya, Associated with Human Sanitation Conditions and Domestic Animals. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:10263-10274. [PMID: 30106283 PMCID: PMC6557411 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b01528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Young children are infected by a diverse range of enteric pathogens in high disease burden settings, suggesting pathogen contamination of the environment is equally diverse. This study aimed to characterize across- and within-neighborhood diversity in enteric pathogen contamination of public domains in urban informal settlements of Kisumu, Kenya, and to assess the relationship between pathogen detection patterns and human and domestic animal sanitation conditions. Microbial contamination of soil and surface water from 166 public sites in three Kisumu neighborhoods was measured by enterococcal assays and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) for 19 enteric pathogens. Regression was used to assess the association between observed sanitary indicators of contamination with enterococci and pathogen presence and concentration, and pathogen diversity. Seventeen types of pathogens were detected in Kisumu public domains. Enteric pathogens were codetected in 33% of soil and 65% of surface water samples. Greater pathogen diversity was associated with the presence of domestic animal feces but not with human open defecation, deteriorating latrines, flies, or disposal of human feces. Sanitary conditions were not associated with enterococcal bacteria, specific pathogen concentrations, or "any pathogen". Young children played at 40% of observed sites. Managing domestic animal feces may be required to reduce enteric pathogen environmental contamination in high-burden settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kelly K. Baker
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health
- Corresponding Author Phone: (001) 319-384-4008;.
| | - Reid Senesac
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health
| | | | - Ananya Sen Gupta
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, United States
| | - Oliver Cumming
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Jane Mumma
- Department of Community Nutrition, Great Lakes University of Kisumu, 40100 Kisumu, Kenya
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Jones CE, Maddox A, Hurley D, Barkovskii AL. Persistence of bacterial pathogens, antibiotic resistance genes, and enterococci in tidal creek tributaries. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 240:875-883. [PMID: 29787978 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.05.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Intertidal creeks form the primary hydrologic link between estuaries and land-based activities on barrier islands. Fecal indicators Enterococcus spp. (Entero1), pathogens Shigella spp. (ipaH), Salmonella spp. (invA), E. coli of EHEC/EPEC groups (eaeA), E. coli of EAEC, EIEC, and UPEC groups (set1B), E. coli of STEC group (stx1); and tetracycline resistance genes (tet(B), tet(C), tet(D), tet(E), tet(K), tet(Q), tet(W), and tet(X); TRG) were detected in the headwater of Oakdale Creek (Sapelo Island, GA) receiving runoffs from Hog Hammock village. Excavation of drainage ditches around the village caused a high increase in the incidence of the above determinants. Water samples were collected from the headwater, transferred to diffusion chambers, submersed in the headwater, saltmarsh, and mouth of the creek; and the determinants were monitored for 3 winter months. With some exceptions, their persistence decreased in order headwater > saltmarsh > mouth. Genes associated with Enterococcus spp. were the most persistent at all the sites, following in the headwater with determinants for Salmonella spp. and E. coli of EAEC, EIEC, and UPEC groups. In the mouth, the most persistent gene was eaeA indicating EHEC, EPEC, and STEC. Tet(B) and tet(C) persisted the longest in headwater and saltmarsh. No TRG persisted after 11 days in the mouth. Most determinants revealed correlations with temperature and pH, and inverse correlations with dissolved oxygen. Decay rates of the above determinants varied in the range of -0.02 to -0.81/day, and were up to 40 folds higher in the saltmarsh and mouth than in the headwater. Our data demonstrated that water parameters could to some extent predict a general trend in the fate of virulence and antibiotic resistance determinants in tidal creek tributaries but strongly suggested that their persistence in these tributaries cannot be predicted from that of enterococci, or extrapolated from one biological contaminant to another.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chance E Jones
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Georgia College & State University, 221 North Wilkinson St., PO Box 081, Milledgeville, GA 31061, USA.
| | - Anthony Maddox
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Georgia College & State University, 221 North Wilkinson St., PO Box 081, Milledgeville, GA 31061, USA.
| | - Dorset Hurley
- Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve, P.O. Box 15, Sapelo Island, GA 31327, USA.
| | - Andrei L Barkovskii
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Georgia College & State University, 221 North Wilkinson St., PO Box 081, Milledgeville, GA 31061, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Li X, Peed L, Sivaganesan M, Kelty CA, Nietch C, Shanks OC. Evidence of Genetic Fecal Marker Interactions between Water Column and Periphyton in Artificial Streams. ACS OMEGA 2018; 3:10107-10113. [PMID: 31459140 PMCID: PMC6645356 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.8b01785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Periphyton is a complex mixture of algae, microbes, inorganic sediment, and organic matter that is attached to submerged surfaces in most flowing freshwater systems. This natural community is known to absorb pollutants from the water column, resulting in improved water quality. However, the role of periphyton in the fate and transport of genetic fecal markers suspended in the water column remains unclear. As application of genetic-based methodologies continues to increase in freshwater settings, it is important to identify any interactions that could potentially confound water quality interpretations. A 16 week indoor mesocosm study was conducted to simultaneously measure genetic fecal markers in the water column and in the associated periphyton when subject to wastewater source loading. Treated wastewater effluent was pumped directly from a treatment facility adjacent to the experimental stream facility. Inflow and outflow surface water grabs were paired with the collection of periphyton samples taken from the mesocosm substrates on a weekly basis. Samples were analyzed with three genetic fecal indicator quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assays targeting Escherichia coli (EC23S857), enterococci (Entero1), and Bacteroidales (GenBac3), as well as, two human host-associated fecal pollution markers (HF183 and HumM2). In addition, periphyton dry mass was measured. During wastewater effluent loading, genetic markers were detected in periphyton at frequencies up to 100% (EC23S857, Entero1, and GenBac3), 59.4% (HF183), and 21.9% (HumM2) confirming sequestration from the water column. Mean net-flux shifts in water column inflow and outflow genetic indicator concentrations further supported interactions between the periphyton and water column. In addition, positive correlations were observed between periphyton dry mass and genetic marker concentrations ranging from r = 0.693 (Entero1) to r = 0.911 (GenBac3). Overall, findings support the notion that genetic markers suspended in the water column can be trapped by periphyton, further suggesting that the benthic environment in flowing freshwater systems may be an important factor to consider for water quality management with molecular methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Li
- Oak
Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830, United States
| | - Lindsay Peed
- Office
of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio 45268, United States
| | - Mano Sivaganesan
- Office
of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio 45268, United States
| | - Catherine A. Kelty
- Office
of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio 45268, United States
| | - Christopher Nietch
- Office
of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio 45268, United States
| | - Orin C. Shanks
- Office
of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio 45268, United States
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Enterococcal Concentrations in a Coastal Ecosystem Are a Function of Fecal Source Input, Environmental Conditions, and Environmental Sources. Appl Environ Microbiol 2018; 84:AEM.01038-18. [PMID: 30006393 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01038-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Fecal pollution at coastal beaches requires management efforts to address public health and economic concerns. Feces-borne bacterial concentrations are influenced by different fecal sources, environmental conditions, and ecosystem reservoirs, making their public health significance convoluted. In this study, we sought to delineate the influences of these factors on enterococcal concentrations in southern Maine coastal recreational waters. Weekly water samples and water quality measurements were conducted at freshwater, estuarine, and marine beach sites from June through September 2016. The samples were analyzed for total and particle-associated enterococcal concentrations, total suspended solids, and microbial source tracking markers (PCR: Bac32, HF183, CF128, DF475, and Gull2; quantitative PCR [qPCR]: AllBac, HF183, and GFD). Water, soil, sediment, and marine sediment samples were also subjected to 16S rRNA sequencing and SourceTracker analysis to determine the influence from these environmental reservoirs on water sample microbial communities. Enterococcal and particle-associated enterococcal concentrations were elevated in freshwater, but the concentrations of suspended solids were relatively similar. Mammal fecal contamination was significantly elevated in the estuary, with human and bird fecal contaminant levels similar between sites. A partial least-squares regression model indicated particle-associated enterococcal and mammal marker concentrations had the most significant positive relationships with enterococcal concentrations across marine, estuary, and freshwater environments. Freshwater microbial communities were significantly influenced by underlying sediment, while estuarine/marine beach communities were influenced by freshwater, high tide height, and estuarine sediment. Elevated enterococcal levels were reflective of a combination of increased fecal source input, environmental sources, and environmental conditions, highlighting the need for encompassing microbial source tracking (MST) approaches for managing water quality issues.IMPORTANCE Enterococci have long been the federal standard in determining water quality at estuarine and marine environments. Although enterococci are highly abundant in the intestines of many animals, they are not exclusive to that environment and can persist and grow outside fecal tracts. This presents a management problem for areas that are largely impaired by nonpoint source contamination, as fecal sources might not be the root cause of contamination. This study employed different microbial source tracking methods for delineating the influences from fecal source input, environmental sources, and environmental conditions to determine which combination of variables are influencing enterococcal concentrations in recreational waters at a historically impaired coastal town. The results showed that fecal source input, environmental sources, and conditions all play roles in influencing enterococcal concentrations. This highlights the need to include an encompassing microbial source tracking approach to assess the effects of all important variables on enterococcal concentrations.
Collapse
|
47
|
Stationary and portable sequencing-based approaches for tracing wastewater contamination in urban stormwater systems. Sci Rep 2018; 8:11907. [PMID: 30093614 PMCID: PMC6085348 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-29920-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Urban sewer systems consist of wastewater and stormwater sewers, of which only wastewater is processed before being discharged. Occasionally, misconnections or damages in the network occur, resulting in untreated wastewater entering natural water bodies via the stormwater system. Cultivation of faecal indicator bacteria (e.g. Escherichia coli; E. coli) is the current standard for tracing wastewater contamination. This method is cheap but has limited specificity and mobility. Here, we compared the E. coli culturing approach with two sequencing-based methodologies (Illumina MiSeq 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and Oxford Nanopore MinION shotgun metagenomic sequencing), analysing 73 stormwater samples collected in Stockholm. High correlations were obtained between E. coli culturing counts and frequencies of human gut microbiome amplicon sequences, indicating E. coli is indeed a good indicator of faecal contamination. However, the amplicon data further holds information on contamination source or alternatively how much time has elapsed since the faecal matter has entered the system. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing on a subset of the samples using a portable real-time sequencer, MinION, correlated well with the amplicon sequencing data. This study demonstrates the use of DNA sequencing to detect human faecal contamination in stormwater systems and the potential of tracing faecal contamination directly in the field.
Collapse
|
48
|
Leifels M, Sirikanchana K, Mongkolsuk S. Letter to the Editor RE: High levels of faecal contamination in drinking groundwater and recreational water due to poor sanitation, in the sub-rural neighbourhoods of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo by Kayembe et al. 2018. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2018; 222:260-261. [PMID: 29929927 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2018.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mats Leifels
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 11405 - 87 Av., Edmonton, ABT6G 1C9, Canada; Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), University Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstr. 2, 45141, Essen, Germany.
| | - Kwanrawee Sirikanchana
- Research Laboratory of Biotechnology, Chulabhorn Research Institute, 54 Kampangpetch 6 Road, Laksi, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand.
| | - Skorn Mongkolsuk
- Research Laboratory of Biotechnology, Chulabhorn Research Institute, 54 Kampangpetch 6 Road, Laksi, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand; Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology, CHE, Ministry of Education, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
NandaKafle G, Christie AA, Vilain S, Brözel VS. Growth and Extended Survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Soil Organic Matter. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:762. [PMID: 29740410 PMCID: PMC5924783 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli, such as serotype O157:H7, are a leading cause of food-associated outbreaks. While the primary reservoir is associated with cattle, plant foods have been associated as sources of human infection. E. coli is able to grow in the tissue of food plants such as spinach. While fecal contamination is the primary suspect, soil has been underestimated as a potential reservoir. Persistence of bacterial populations in open systems is the product of growth, death, predation, and competition. Here we report that E. coli O157:H7 can grow using the soluble compounds in soil, and characterize the effect of soil growth on the stationary phase proteome. E. coli 933D (stxII−) was cultured in Soil Extracted Soluble Organic Matter (SESOM) and the culturable count determined for 24d. The proteomes of exponential and stationary phase populations were characterized by 2D gel electrophoresis and protein spots were identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. While LB controls displayed a death phase, SESOM grown population remained culturable for 24d, indicating an altered physiological state with superior longevity. This was not due to decreased cell density on entry to stationary phase as 24 h SESOM populations concentrated 10-fold retained their longevity. Principal component analysis showed that stationary phase proteomes from SESOM and LB were different. Differences included proteins involved in stress response, motility, membrane and wall composition, nutrient uptake, translation and protein turnover, and anabolic and catabolic pathways, indicating an altered physiological state of soil-grown cells entering stationary phase. The results suggest that E. coli may be a soil commensal that, in absence of predation and competition, maintains stable populations in soil.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gitanjali NandaKafle
- Department of Biology and Microbiology, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, United States
| | - Amy A Christie
- Department of Biology and Microbiology, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, United States
| | - Sébastien Vilain
- Spectrométrie de Masse des Macromolécules Biologiques, Chimie Biologie des Membranes et Nanoobjets, UMR Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 5248, Institut National Polytechnique de Bordeaux, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.,Plateforme Protéome, Centre Génomique Fonctionnelle de Bordeaux, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Volker S Brözel
- Department of Biology and Microbiology, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, United States.,Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Xue J, Lin S, Lamar FG, Lamori JG, Sherchan S. Assessment of fecal pollution in Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2018; 129:655-663. [PMID: 29126560 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.10.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Revised: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/20/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Water quality in Lake Pontchartrain was deteriorating and recreational activities along the beach were restricted by the end of the 20th Century. A microbial source tracking (MST) study was conducted to determine the fecal contamination sources at public beach of the lake, so that effective pollution control strategies can be developed. Water samples were collected over an eight-month period at ten locations along the lake in 2016 and 2017. E. coli and Enterococcus were detected in 90.6% (culture) and 97.5% (qPCR), 95.8% (culture) and 91.8% (qPCR) of water samples from all sampling sites, respectively. Significant positive relationship between E. coli and Enterococcus results was observed for both qPCR and culture methods. HF183 marker was detected in 94.3% water samples (149 of 158), with concentrations ranging from 29.0 to 6073.5GC/100ml and from 129.8 to 38,465.6GC/100ml in summer and winter, respectively. The results also indicate that significant rainfall events have the potential to supply considerable loads of fecal bacteria to lake waters. Further research is needed to determine the contribution of other animals to fecal contamination in the region.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jia Xue
- Department of Global Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Siyu Lin
- Department of Global Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Frederica G Lamar
- Department of Global Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Jennifer G Lamori
- Department of Global Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Samendra Sherchan
- Department of Global Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
| |
Collapse
|