1
|
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
|
2
|
Gangneux JP, Brandao J, Segal E. Knowledge and regulation on fungal contamination of sand and water: Progress report and perspectives. Med Mycol 2024; 62:myad137. [PMID: 38196143 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myad137] [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: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Fungal flora in coastal/inland beach sand and recreational water is a neglected field of study, despite its potential impact on human health. A joint International Society for Human and Animal Mycology/European Confederation for Medical Mycology (ISHAM/ECMM) working group was formed in 2019 with the task to set up a vast international initiative aimed at studying the fungal contamination of beaches and bathing waters. Here we review the importance of the topic, and list the main results and achievements from 12 scientific publications. Fungal contamination exists at different levels, and the genera most frequently found were Aspergillus spp., Candida spp., Fusarium spp., and Cryptococcus spp., both in sand and in water. A site-blind median was found to be 89 colony-forming units of fungi per gram of sand in coastal/inland freshwaters. This threshold has been used for the sand quality criterion of the blue flag in Portugal. Additionally, our data were considered pivotal and therefore used for the first inclusion of fungi as a biological taxon of interest in water quality and sand monitoring recommendations of the World Health Organization's new guidelines on recreational water quality (Vol.1-Chap7). The findings of the consortium also suggest how environmental conditions (climate, salinity, soil pH, nitrogen, etc.) influence microbial communities in different regions, and that yeast species like Candida glabrata, Clavispora lusitaniae, and Meyerozyma guilliermondii have been identified as potential fungal indicators of fecal contamination. Climate change and natural disasters may affect fungal populations in different environments, and because this is still a field of study under exploration, we also propose to depict the future challenges of research and unmet needs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Pierre Gangneux
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail)-UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre National de Référence pour les aspergilloses chroniques (CNRMA-LA AspC), European Excellence Center in Medical Mycology (ECMM), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - Joao Brandao
- Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM) and Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (CE3C)-Department of Animal Biology, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ester Segal
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Selvarajan R, Sibanda T, Ullah H, Abia ALK. Beach sand mycobiome: The silent threat of pathogenic fungi and toxic metal contamination for beachgoers. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 198:115895. [PMID: 38101061 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Emphasis is always placed on bacterial but not fungal pathogens in marine environments. We analysed the fungal diversity, functional predictions, and toxic metals and metalloids contamination in beach sand from different South African locations. Results revealed a diverse fungal community, with Ascomycota, Rozellomycota, and Basidiomycota being the dominant phyla. Functional predictions highlighted fungal metabolic pathways related to of carbohydrates, amino acids, and lipids, in different beach samples. Elevated concentrations of toxic metals and metalloids were detected in Central and Harbour beach sands, likely due to anthropogenic activities. Correlations among different elements were observed, suggesting complex interactions in the coastal environment. Fungal pathogens like Cladosporium, Fusarium, Aspergillus, and Candida in beach sands raise potential public health risk concerns. Therefore, monitoring fungal diversity (including pathogens) alongside bacterial contamination in beach environments is imperative. The results contribute to understanding fungal community dynamics, functional potential, toxic metal and metalloid contamination, and potential risks associated with beach sand ecosystems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ramganesh Selvarajan
- Institute of Deep Sea Science and Engineering (IDSSE), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Sanya, China; Department of Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Florida Campus, South Africa.
| | - Timothy Sibanda
- School of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Habib Ullah
- Institute of Deep Sea Science and Engineering (IDSSE), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Sanya, China
| | - Akebe Luther King Abia
- Antimicrobial Research Unit, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa; Environmental Research Foundation, Westville 3630, South Africa.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Deligios M, Mazzarello V, Fiamma M, Barac A, Diana L, Ferrari M, Murgia M, Paglietti B, Rubino S. Seasonal Variation in Fungi in Beach Sand in Summertime: Stintino (Italy). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:7134. [PMID: 38063564 PMCID: PMC10706741 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20237134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The goal of this study was to monitor the microbial biodiversity in beach sand that is heavily visited by tourists during the summer, and to determinate whether the high presence of bathers (around 5000 per day) can modify sand microbial composition. METHODS Between 2016 and 2020, 150 sand samples were collected from nine different points at La Pelosa beach in Sardinia, Italy. Non-culturing methods were used; DNA extraction and meta-barcode sequencing were performed. All samples were analyzed with sequencing methods for 16S and ITS sequences. RESULTS Fungal genera differ on the three beaches and in the winter/summer zones. The ITS sequence showed the most common presence of Candida during summer and Paradendryphiella in the winter. The greatest diversity was found in the dune during winter, while in other parts of the beach, there are differences between bacteria and fungi, particularly in the wash zone during the winter, with high diversity for 16S sequences but low diversity for ITS sequences. CONCLUSIONS It appears reasonable that the sands, even on non-urban beaches, should be included in health monitoring programs in addition to the waters, and that access to them should be regulated by limiting the number of bathers with the aim of reducing the presence of pathogenic fungal species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Deligios
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (M.D.); (V.M.); (L.D.); (M.M.); (B.P.)
| | - Vittorio Mazzarello
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (M.D.); (V.M.); (L.D.); (M.M.); (B.P.)
| | - Maura Fiamma
- Laboratorio Analisi, Ospedale “San Francesco”, ASSL Nuoro, 08100 Sardinia, Italy;
| | - Aleksandra Barac
- Clinic for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Lorenzo Diana
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (M.D.); (V.M.); (L.D.); (M.M.); (B.P.)
| | - Marco Ferrari
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (M.D.); (V.M.); (L.D.); (M.M.); (B.P.)
| | - Manuela Murgia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (M.D.); (V.M.); (L.D.); (M.M.); (B.P.)
| | - Bianca Paglietti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (M.D.); (V.M.); (L.D.); (M.M.); (B.P.)
| | - Salvatore Rubino
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (M.D.); (V.M.); (L.D.); (M.M.); (B.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Soffritti I, D’Accolti M, Bini F, Mazziga E, Volta A, Bisi M, Rossi S, Viroli F, Balzani M, Petitta M, Mazzacane S, Caselli E. Characterization of the Pathogenic Potential of the Beach Sand Microbiome and Assessment of Quicklime as a Remediation Tool. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2031. [PMID: 37630591 PMCID: PMC10460030 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11082031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Beach sand may act as a reservoir for potential human pathogens, posing a public health risk. Despite this, the microbiological monitoring of sand microbiome is rarely performed to determine beach quality. In this study, the sand microbial population of a Northern Adriatic Sea beach sand was profiled by microbiological (CFU counts) and molecular methods (WGS, microarray), showing significant presence of potential human pathogens including drug-resistant strains. Consistent with these results, the potential of quicklime as a restoring method was tested in vitro and on-field. Collected data showed that adding 1-3% quicklime (w/w) to sand provided an up to -99% of bacteria, fungi, and viruses, in a dose- and time-dependent manner, till 45 days post-treatment. In conclusion, data suggest that accurate monitoring of sand microbiome may be essential, besides water, to assess beach quality and safety. Moreover, first evidences of quicklime potential for sand decontamination are provided, suggesting its usage as a possible way to restore the microbiological quality of sand in highly contaminated areas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irene Soffritti
- Section of Microbiology, Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, and LTTA, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (I.S.); (M.D.); (F.B.); (E.M.)
- CIAS Research Center, University of Ferrara, 44122 Ferrara, Italy; (A.V.); (M.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Maria D’Accolti
- Section of Microbiology, Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, and LTTA, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (I.S.); (M.D.); (F.B.); (E.M.)
- CIAS Research Center, University of Ferrara, 44122 Ferrara, Italy; (A.V.); (M.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Francesca Bini
- Section of Microbiology, Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, and LTTA, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (I.S.); (M.D.); (F.B.); (E.M.)
- CIAS Research Center, University of Ferrara, 44122 Ferrara, Italy; (A.V.); (M.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Eleonora Mazziga
- Section of Microbiology, Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, and LTTA, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (I.S.); (M.D.); (F.B.); (E.M.)
- CIAS Research Center, University of Ferrara, 44122 Ferrara, Italy; (A.V.); (M.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Antonella Volta
- CIAS Research Center, University of Ferrara, 44122 Ferrara, Italy; (A.V.); (M.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Matteo Bisi
- CIAS Research Center, University of Ferrara, 44122 Ferrara, Italy; (A.V.); (M.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Silvia Rossi
- Building and Construction Cluster of the Emilia Romagna Region, 40129 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Francesco Viroli
- TekneHub, Department of Architecture, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (F.V.); (M.B.)
| | - Marcello Balzani
- TekneHub, Department of Architecture, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (F.V.); (M.B.)
| | - Marco Petitta
- Department of Earth Sciences, University “La Sapienza”, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Sante Mazzacane
- CIAS Research Center, University of Ferrara, 44122 Ferrara, Italy; (A.V.); (M.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Elisabetta Caselli
- Section of Microbiology, Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, and LTTA, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (I.S.); (M.D.); (F.B.); (E.M.)
- CIAS Research Center, University of Ferrara, 44122 Ferrara, Italy; (A.V.); (M.B.); (S.M.)
| |
Collapse
|