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Human Fecal Pollution Monitoring and Microbial Risk Assessment for Water Reuse Potential in a Coastal Industrial-Residential Mixed-Use Watershed.

ABSTRACT: Rapid economic development has caused industrial expansion into residential communities, leading to higher fecal pollution loads that could be discharged into aquatic environments. However, little is known regarding the potential microbial impact on human health. This study investigated microbial contamination from coastal industrial-residential community areas in nine sampling sites in waterways during three dry events. A general microbial source tracking (MST) marker, GenBac3, was detected in all samples from all three events, indicating continuing fecal pollution in the area, mostly from human sewage contamination. This was shown by the human-specific genetic marker crAssphage (88.9%) and human polyomavirus (HPyVs; 92.6%) detection. Enteric human adenovirus (HAdV40/41) showed three positive results only from residential sites in the first event. No spatial difference was observed for MST markers and traditional fecal indicators (total coliforms and Escherichia coli) in each event. Still, a significantly lower abundance of GenBac3, HPyVs, and total coliforms in the first sampling event was detected. Spearman's rho analysis indicated a strong correlation among certain pairs of microbial parameters. Multivariate analysis revealed two clusters of samples separated by land use type (industrial vs. residential). According to factor analysis of mixed data, the land use parameter was more associated with physicochemical parameters (i.e., salinity, conductivity, water temperature, and dissolved oxygen). A Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) was then conducted to estimate the annual infection risks of HAdV40/41 for non-potable water reuse purposes using predicted concentrations from crAssphage and HPyVs. The highest risks (95th percentiles) were ranked by food crop irrigation, aquaculture, and toilet flushing, at 10^-1, 10^-2, and 10^-3 per person per year (pppy). Required treatment levels to achieve a 10^-4 pppy annual infection risk were estimated. QMRA-based water treatment scenarios were suggested, including chlorination for toilet flushing reuse and depth filtration prior to chlorination for aquaculture and food crop irrigation. Microbial monitoring combined with a QMRA could provide better insights into fecal pollution patterns and the associated risks, facilitating effective water quality management and appropriate prior treatments for water reuse.

SUBMITTER: Kongprajug A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8093506 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Microbial contamination of recreation waters is a major concern globally, with pollutants originating from many sources, including human and other animal wastes often introduced during storm events. Fecal contamination is traditionally monitored by employing culture methods targeting fecal indicator bacteria (FIB), namely E. coli and enterococci, which provides only limited information of a few microbial taxa and no information on their sources. Host-associated qPCR and metagenomic DNA sequencing are complementary methods for FIB monitoring that can provide enhanced understanding of microbial communities and sources of fecal pollution. Whole metagenome sequencing (WMS), quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), and culture-based FIB tests were performed in an urban watershed before and after a rainfall event to determine the feasibility and application of employing a multi-assay approach for examining microbial content of ambient source waters. Cultivated E. coli and enterococci enumeration confirmed presence of fecal contamination in all samples exceeding local single sample recreational water quality thresholds (E. coli, 410 MPN/100 mL; enterococci, 107 MPN/100 mL) following a rainfall. Test results obtained with qPCR showed concentrations of E. coli, enterococci, and human-associated genetic markers increased after rainfall by 1.52-, 1.26-, and 1.11-fold log10 copies per 100 mL, respectively. Taxonomic analysis of the surface water microbiome and detection of antibiotic resistance genes, general FIB, and human-associated microorganisms were also employed. Results showed that fecal contamination from multiple sources (human, avian, dog, and ruminant), as well as FIB, enteric microorganisms, and antibiotic resistance genes increased demonstrably after a storm event. In summary, the addition of qPCR and WMS to traditional surrogate techniques may provide enhanced characterization and improved understanding of microbial pollution sources in ambient waters.

Project description:The Sustainable Development Goal 6 calls for global progress by 2030 in treating domestic wastewater and providing access to adequate sanitation facilities. However, meeting these goals will be a challenge for most Small Island Developing States, including Caribbean island nations. In the nearshore zone of the Soufriere region on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia, there is a history of high levels of bacteria of fecal origin. Possible land-based sources of microbial contamination in the Soufriere Bay include discharges from the Soufriere River and transport of wastewater, including fecal material from the town of Soufriere. This area is an important tourist destination and supports a local fishery. To identify the sources of microbial contamination in Soufriere Bay, a range of monitoring methods were employed in this study. In grab samples of surface water collected from the Soufriere River, counts of total coliforms and Escherichia coli were elevated above water quality guidelines. However, the spikes in concentrations of these indicator organisms in the river did not necessarily coincide with the spikes in the levels of total coliforms and E. coli detected in samples collected on the same dates in Soufriere Bay, indicating that there are other sources of pollution in the Bay besides discharges from the river. Monitoring for chemical indicators of wastewater (i.e., caffeine, sucralose, fluconazole) in the Soufriere River indicated that there are inputs of sewage or human fecal material throughout the watershed. However, analysis of Bacteroidales 16S rRNA genetic markers for fecal bacteria originating from humans, bovine ruminants, or other warm-blooded animals indicated that the majority of microbial contamination in the river was not from humans. Monitoring for chemical indicators of wastewater using passive samplers deployed in Soufriere Bay indicated that there are two "hot spots" of contamination located offshore of economically depressed areas of the town of Soufriere. This study indicates that efforts to control contamination of Soufriere Bay by fecal microorganisms must include management of pollution originating from both sewage and domestic animals in the watershed.

Project description:BackgroundIndustrialization and urbanization, while associated with increased productivity, are also potential causes of increased air pollution. Urban air quality has the potential to affect the health and wellbeing of residents of urban areas.ObjectivesThe present study investigated the levels of air pollutants around residential areas and transport sector locations (TSLs) in Lagos, Nigeria. Residential areas were defined as areas around inner streets and living quarters, while TSLs included busy roads, dual carriage roads, bus stops and major car parks in the Yaba Local Council Development Area of Lagos Mainland, Lagos, Nigeria.MethodsAir quality parameters were assessed in situ using calibrated hand-held devices at selected residential and TSLs. Each sampling location was geo-referenced and concentrations of the various parameters were used to plot distribution maps.ResultsThe findings from the monitoring exercise showed that levels of the measured air pollutants: carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), sulphur dioxide (SO2), noise, temperature and humidity were within the ranges of 1.00 - 6.0 5.97 ppm, 43.345.2 - 127.2159.7 μg/m3, 20.3 23.25 - 69.058.16 μg/m3, 0.0 0 - 0.20.17 ppm, 47.7 50 - 65 70.1 dB, 26.2227.2 - 35.536.7°C and 57.0157.6 - 91.8492.3%, respectively, around residential areas. Values of the measured air pollutants at the TSLs ranged as follows: 2.011.0 - 5.397.7 ppm, 103.3360.7 - 179.77404.0 μg/m3, 50.2832.3 - 91.01184.0 μg/m3, 0.00 - 0.40 ppm, 64.2153.1 - 71.1376.3 dB, 27.1826.2 -27.9332.6°C and 60.3660.0 - 75.0178.0%, respectively. Hydrogen sulphide (H2S), ammonia (NH3), nitrogen oxide (NO2) were below detection limits in both sampling locations while volatile organic carbons (VOCs) ranged from 0.00 - 0.10 ppm in the TSLs.DiscussionMost assessed air quality parameters were significantly higher around bus stops (P < 0.05), except for CO and humidity. In addition, PM10 and PM2.5 were much higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The results indicated that the quality of air (particulate matter) in the study area was poor, especially in the TSLs.ConclusionsThe Federal Ministry of Environment, through its relevant agencies, must create policies to address urban air pollution, taking into consideration long term exposures and people that are most vulnerable within the population.Competing interestsThe authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Human Fecal Pollution Monitoring and Microbial Risk Assessment for Water Reuse Potential in a Coastal Industrial-Residential Mixed-Use Watershed.

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