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Marizzi Del Olmo A, López-Doval JC, Hidalgo M, Serra T, Colomer J, Salvadó V, Escolà Casas M, Medina JS, Matamoros V. Holistic assessment of chemical and biological pollutants in a Mediterranean wastewater effluent-dominated stream: Interactions and ecological impacts. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2025; 370:125833. [PMID: 39952585 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.125833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2024] [Revised: 01/21/2025] [Accepted: 02/08/2025] [Indexed: 02/17/2025]
Abstract
The discharge of treated wastewater from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) into river systems is a significant source of pollution, introducing a range of chemical and biological pollutants that impact the chemical and ecological quality status of rivers. This study evaluates the effect of a secondary treated wastewater effluent on the Onyar River, in the northeast of Spain. Water and biofilm samples were collected at one upstream and four downstream sampling points (up to 2.8 km from the discharge point) across four seasons. A wide array of pollutants, including metals, pharmaceuticals, microplastics (MPs), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), among other emerging pollutants, were detected downstream, with significant differences between upstream and downstream concentrations. Our results show that WWTP discharge also altered biofilm microbiome composition and ARGs presence, being these changes distinguishable from seasonal variations. Nevertheless, a partial recovery further downstream (525 m) was observed for biofilm microbiome and ARGs composition. These findings highlight the value of microbiome analysis in assessing wastewater impacts on river ecosystems and emphasize the need for further research to improve pollutant attenuation and biofilm recovery strategies in river streams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Marizzi Del Olmo
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona, 18-26, E-08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Julio C López-Doval
- BETA Technological Centre- University of Vic- Central University of Catalunya (BETA- UVIC- UCC), E-08500, Vic, Spain
| | - Manuela Hidalgo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Girona (UdG), E-17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Teresa Serra
- Department of Physics, University of Girona (UdG), E-17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Jordi Colomer
- Department of Physics, University of Girona (UdG), E-17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Victòria Salvadó
- Department of Chemistry, University of Girona (UdG), E-17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Mònica Escolà Casas
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona, 18-26, E-08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jessica Subirats Medina
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona, 18-26, E-08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Víctor Matamoros
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona, 18-26, E-08034, Barcelona, Spain.
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Zhuang X, Moshi MA, Quinones O, Trenholm RA, Chang CL, Cordes D, Vanderford BJ, Vo V, Gerrity D, Oh EC. Drug Use Patterns in Wastewater and Socioeconomic and Demographic Indicators. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e2432682. [PMID: 39312241 PMCID: PMC11420698 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.32682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance Measuring drug use behaviors in individuals and across large communities presents substantial challenges, often complicated by socioeconomic and demographic variables. Objectives To detect spatial and temporal changes in community drug use by analyzing concentrations of analytes in influent wastewater and exploring their associations with area-based socioeconomic and sociodemographic metrics like the area deprivation index (ADI) and rural-urban commuting area (RUCA) codes. Design, Setting, and Participants This longitudinal, cross-sectional wastewater study was performed from May 2022 to April 2023 and included biweekly influent wastewater samples of 39 analytes from 8 sampling locations across 6 wastewater treatment plants in southern Nevada. Statistical analyses were conducted in December 2023. Main Outcomes and Measures It was hypothesized that wastewater monitoring of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) and high-risk substances (HRSs) could reveal true spatial and temporal drug use patterns in near-real time. Data collection of samples for PPCPs and HRSs was performed using mass spectrometry. Both ADI and RUCA scores were utilized to characterize neighborhood contexts in the analysis. The false discovery rate (FDR) method was utilized to correct for multiple comparisons (PFDR). Results Over the 12-month wastewater monitoring period, 208 samples for PPCPs and HRSs were collected, and analysis revealed an increase in the consumption of HRSs and the seasonal variation in PPCP use in southern Nevada. There was a significant increase in levels of stimulant-associated analytes, such as cocaine (β = 9.17 × 10-4; SE = 1.29 × 10-4; PFDR = 1.40 × 10-10), and opioids or their metabolites, notably norfentanyl (β = 1.48 × 10-4; SE = 1.88 × 10-4; PFDR = 1.66 × 10-12). In contrast, DEET, an active ingredient in mosquito and tick repellents, demonstrated a seasonal use pattern (β = -4.85 × 10-4; SE = 2.09 × 10-4; PFDR = 4.87 × 10-2). Wastewater from more disadvantaged or rural neighborhoods, as assessed through ADI and RUCA scores, was more likely to show a significant positive correlation with HRSs, such as cocaine (β = 0.075; SE = 0.038; P = .05) and norfentanyl (β = 0.004; SE = 0.001; P = 1.64 × 10-5). Conclusions and Relevance These findings suggest that wastewater monitoring of PPCPs and HRSs offers a complementary method to existing public health tools, providing timely data for tracking substance use behaviors and use of PPCPs at a population level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Zhuang
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Precision Medicine, University of Nevada Las Vegas
- Neuroscience Interdisciplinary PhD Program, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
- Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas, Nevada
| | - Michael A. Moshi
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Precision Medicine, University of Nevada Las Vegas
- Neuroscience Interdisciplinary PhD Program, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
| | - Oscar Quinones
- Applied Research and Development Center, Southern Nevada Water Authority, Las Vegas
| | - Rebecca A. Trenholm
- Applied Research and Development Center, Southern Nevada Water Authority, Las Vegas
| | - Ching-Lan Chang
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Precision Medicine, University of Nevada Las Vegas
- Neuroscience Interdisciplinary PhD Program, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
| | - Dietmar Cordes
- Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas, Nevada
| | - Brett J. Vanderford
- Applied Research and Development Center, Southern Nevada Water Authority, Las Vegas
| | - Van Vo
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Precision Medicine, University of Nevada Las Vegas
| | - Daniel Gerrity
- Applied Research and Development Center, Southern Nevada Water Authority, Las Vegas
| | - Edwin C. Oh
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Precision Medicine, University of Nevada Las Vegas
- Neuroscience Interdisciplinary PhD Program, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
- Department of Brain Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
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Vogel E, Neyra M, Larsen DA, Zeng T. Target and Nontarget Screening to Support Capacity Scaling for Substance Use Assessment through a Statewide Wastewater Surveillance Network in New York. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:8518-8530. [PMID: 38693060 PMCID: PMC11097395 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c01251] [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: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has been widely implemented around the world as a complementary tool to conventional surveillance techniques to inform and improve public health responses. Currently, wastewater surveillance programs in the U.S. are evaluating integrated approaches to address public health challenges across multiple domains, including substance abuse. In this work, we demonstrated the potential of online solid-phase extraction coupled with liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry to support targeted quantification and nontargeted analysis of psychoactive and lifestyle substances as a step toward understanding the operational feasibility of a statewide wastewater surveillance program for substance use assessment in New York. Target screening confirmed 39 substances in influent samples collected from 10 wastewater treatment plants with varying sewershed characteristics and is anticipated to meet the throughput demands as the statewide program scales up to full capacity. Nontarget screening prioritized additional compounds for identification at three confidence levels, including psychoactive substances, such as opioid analgesics, phenethylamines, and cathinone derivatives. Consumption rates of 12 target substances detected in over 80% of wastewater samples were similar to those reported by previous U.S.-based WBE studies despite the uncertainty associated with back-calculations. For selected substances, the relative bias in consumption estimates was sensitive to variations in monitoring frequency, and factors beyond human excretion (e.g., as indicated by the parent-to-metabolite ratios) might also contribute to their prevalence at the sewershed scale. Overall, our study marks the initial phase of refining analytical workflows and data interpretation in preparation for the incorporation of substance use assessment into the statewide wastewater surveillance program in New York.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily
J. Vogel
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Syracuse University, 151 Link Hall, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
| | - Milagros Neyra
- Department
of Public Health, Syracuse University, 444 White Hall, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
| | - David A. Larsen
- Department
of Public Health, Syracuse University, 444 White Hall, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
| | - Teng Zeng
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Syracuse University, 151 Link Hall, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
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Zhuang X, Moshi MA, Quinones O, Trenholm RA, Chang CL, Cordes D, Vanderford BJ, Vo V, Gerrity D, Oh EC. Spatial and Temporal Drug Usage Patterns in Wastewater Correlate with Socioeconomic and Demographic Indicators in Southern Nevada. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.02.02.24302241. [PMID: 38352613 PMCID: PMC10863018 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.02.24302241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Evaluating drug use within populations in the United States poses significant challenges due to various social, ethical, and legal constraints, often impeding the collection of accurate and timely data. Here, we aimed to overcome these barriers by conducting a comprehensive analysis of drug consumption trends and measuring their association with socioeconomic and demographic factors. From May 2022 to April 2023, we analyzed 208 wastewater samples from eight sampling locations across six wastewater treatment plants in Southern Nevada, covering a population of 2.4 million residents with 50 million annual tourists. Using bi-weekly influent wastewater samples, we employed mass spectrometry to detect 39 analytes, including pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) and high risk substances (HRS). Our results revealed a significant increase over time in the level of stimulants such as cocaine (pFDR=1.40×10-10) and opioids, particularly norfentanyl (pFDR =1.66×10-12), while PPCPs exhibited seasonal variation such as peak usage of DEET, an active ingredient in insect repellents, during the summer (pFDR =0.05). Wastewater from socioeconomically disadvantaged or rural areas, as determined by Area Deprivation Index (ADI) and Rural-Urban Commuting Area Codes (RUCA) scores, demonstrated distinct overall usage patterns, such as higher usage/concentration of HRS, including cocaine (p=0.05) and norfentanyl (p=1.64×10-5). Our approach offers a near real-time, comprehensive tool to assess drug consumption and personal care product usage at a community level, linking wastewater patterns to socioeconomic and demographic factors. This approach has the potential to significantly enhance public health monitoring strategies in the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Zhuang
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Precision Medicine, College of Sciences, Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154
- Neuroscience Interdisciplinary Ph.D. program, Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154
- Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas, NV
| | - Michael A. Moshi
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Precision Medicine, College of Sciences, Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154
- Neuroscience Interdisciplinary Ph.D. program, Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154
| | - Oscar Quinones
- Applied Research and Development Center, Southern Nevada Water Authority, P.O. Box 99954, Las Vegas NV, 89193, USA
| | - Rebecca A. Trenholm
- Applied Research and Development Center, Southern Nevada Water Authority, P.O. Box 99954, Las Vegas NV, 89193, USA
| | - Ching-Lan Chang
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Precision Medicine, College of Sciences, Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154
- Neuroscience Interdisciplinary Ph.D. program, Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154
| | - Dietmar Cordes
- Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas, NV
| | - Brett J. Vanderford
- Applied Research and Development Center, Southern Nevada Water Authority, P.O. Box 99954, Las Vegas NV, 89193, USA
| | - Van Vo
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Precision Medicine, College of Sciences, Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154
| | - Daniel Gerrity
- Applied Research and Development Center, Southern Nevada Water Authority, P.O. Box 99954, Las Vegas NV, 89193, USA
| | - Edwin C. Oh
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Precision Medicine, College of Sciences, Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154
- Neuroscience Interdisciplinary Ph.D. program, Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154
- Department of Brain Health, Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154
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