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Li M, Liu Z, Chen Y. Tap water microbiome shifts in secondary water supply for high-rise buildings. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ECOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 20:100413. [PMID: 38585200 PMCID: PMC10997949 DOI: 10.1016/j.ese.2024.100413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
In high-rise buildings, secondary water supply systems (SWSSs) are pivotal yet provide a conducive milieu for microbial proliferation due to intermittent flow, low disinfectant residual, and high specific pipe-surface area, raising concerns about tap water quality deterioration. Despite their ubiquity, a comprehensive understanding of bacterial community dynamics within SWSSs remains elusive. Here we show how intrinsic SWSS variables critically shape the tap water microbiome at distal ends. In an office setting, distinct from residential complexes, the diversity in piping materials instigates a noticeable bacterial community shift, exemplified by a transition from α-Proteobacteria to γ-Proteobacteria dominance, alongside an upsurge in bacterial diversity and microbial propagation potential. Extended water retention within SWSSs invariably escalates microbial regrowth propensities and modulates bacterial consortia, yet secondary disinfection emerges as a robust strategy for preserving water quality integrity. Additionally, the regularity of water usage modulates proximal flow dynamics, thereby influencing tap water's microbial landscape. Insights garnered from this investigation lay the groundwork for devising effective interventions aimed at safeguarding microbiological standards at the consumer's endpoint.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manjie Li
- Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China
- State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, PR China
| | - Zhaowei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, PR China
| | - Yongcan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, PR China
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2
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Xu Q, Liu S, Lou S, Tu J, Li X, Jin Y, Yin W, Radnaeva LD, Nikitina E, Makhinov AN, Araruna JT, Fedorova IV. Typical antibiotic resistance genes and their association with driving factors in the coastal areas of Yangtze River Estuary. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024:10.1007/s11356-024-33198-w. [PMID: 38607491 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33198-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
The massive use of antibiotics has led to the escalation of microbial resistance in aquatic environment, resulting in an increasing concern regarding antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), posing a serious threat to ecological safety and human health. In this study, surface water samples were collected at eight sampling sites along the Yangtze River Estuary. The seasonal and spatial distribution patterns of 10 antibiotics and target genes in two major classes (sulfonamides and tetracyclines) were analyzed. The findings indicated a high prevalence of sulfonamide and tetracycline resistance genes along the Yangtze River Estuary. Kruskal-Wallis analysis revealed significant seasonal variations in the abundance of all target genes. The accumulation of antibiotic resistance genes in the coastal area of the Yangtze River Estuary can be attributed to the influence of urban instream runoff and the discharge of effluents from wastewater treatment plants. ANISOM analysis indicated significant seasonal differences in the microbial community structure. VPA showed that environmental factors contribute the most to ARG variation. PLS-PM demonstrate that environmental factors and microbial communities pose direct effect to ARG variation. Analysis of driving factors influencing ARGs in this study may shed new insights into the mechanism of the maintenance and propagation of ARGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuhong Xu
- Department of Hydraulic Engineering, College of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuguang Liu
- Department of Hydraulic Engineering, College of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Sha Lou
- Department of Hydraulic Engineering, College of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Junbiao Tu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Geology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Hydraulic Engineering, College of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuchen Jin
- Department of Hydraulic Engineering, College of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenjun Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Larisa Dorzhievna Radnaeva
- Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Systems, Baikal Institute of Nature Management of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Republic of Buryatia, Russia
| | - Elena Nikitina
- Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Systems, Baikal Institute of Nature Management of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Republic of Buryatia, Russia
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3
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Hu H, Xu F, Wang R, Zhou C, Li N, Shao S. Achieving zero fouling in the ultrafiltration for secondary water supply systems in the absence of residual chlorine. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 253:121281. [PMID: 38364461 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121281] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Ultrafiltration (UF) technology is widely used in secondary water supply systems (SWSS) to provide high-quality drinking water. However, the challenge of severe membrane fouling, which leads to frequent cleaning requirements, makes UF maintenance intensive. In this study, we tried to validate the feasibility of achieving zero fouling without the need for cleaning in the UF for SWSS, i.e., the fouling resistance can be maintained for a very long time without any increase. We operated dead-end UF systems at different fluxes, both with and without residual chlorine, and monitored the formation of fouling layers during filtration. The results demonstrated the successful achievement of zero fouling under a flux of 10 L/(m2 h) in the absence of chlorine, evidenced by no increase in transmembrane pressure for three months. This zero-fouling phenomenon was attributed to the formation of a self-regulating biofouling layer. This biofouling layer could degrade the deposited foulants and featured a loose morphology, facilitated by microbial activities in the cake layer. Although residual chlorine reduced the fouling rate by half at a flux of 30 L/(m2 h), it hindered the achievement of zero fouling at the lower flux of 10 L/(m2 h), due to its inhibitory effect on microbial activity. Intermittent operation of UF was effective in achieving zero fouling at higher fluxes (e.g., 30 L/(m2 h)). This benefit was primarily ascribed to the biodegradation of accumulated foulants and the expansion of biofouling layer during the pause of the intermittent filtration, which prompted the formation of biofouling layers with loose structure and balanced composition. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first attempt to achieve zero fouling in UF for SWSS, and the findings may offer valuable insights for the development of cleaning-free and low-maintenance membrane processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huizhi Hu
- Faculty of Resources and Environmental Science, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, PR China
| | - Fang Xu
- Faculty of Resources and Environmental Science, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, PR China
| | - Rui Wang
- Faculty of Resources and Environmental Science, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, PR China
| | - Chu Zhou
- School of Civil Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, PR China
| | - Na Li
- School of Civil Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, PR China
| | - Senlin Shao
- School of Civil Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, PR China.
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Zhao B, Liu R, Li Y, Xu H, Li X, Gu J, Zhang X, Wang Y, Wang Y. Changes of putative pathogenic species within the water bacterial community in large-scale drinking water treatment and distribution systems. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 249:120947. [PMID: 38043356 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120947] [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: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Although the management of microbes in drinking water is of paramount importance for public health, there remain challenges in comprehensively examining pathogenic bacteria in the water supply system at the species level. In this study, high-throughput sequencing of nearly full-length 16S rRNA genes was performed to investigate the changes of the water bacterial community in three large-scale drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) and their corresponding distribution systems during winter and summer. Our findings revealed significant differences in the bacterial community structure between winter and summer water samples for each DWTP and its distribution management area (DMA). In the groundwater-fed DWTP, selective enrichment of mycobacterial species was observed in both seasons, and the subsequent DMA also exhibited strong selection for specific mycobacterial species. In one of the surface water-fed DWTPs, certain Legionella species present in the source water in winter were selectively enriched in the bacterial community after pre-oxidation, although they were susceptible to the subsequent purification steps. A variety of putative pathogenic species (n = 83) were identified based on our pathogen identification pipeline, with the dominant species representing opportunistic pathogens commonly found in water supply systems. While pathogen removal primarily occurred during the purification processes of DWTPs, especially for surface water-fed plants, the relative abundance of pathogenic bacteria in the DMA water flora was lower than that in the DWTP effluent flora, indicating a diminished competitiveness of pathogens within the DMA ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bei Zhao
- Beijing Waterworks Group Co., Ltd, Beijing, PR China; Beijing Engineering Research Center for Drinking Water Quality, Beijing, PR China
| | - Ruyin Liu
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China; Weiqiao-UCAS Science and Technology Park, Binzhou Institute of Technology, Binzhou, Shandong, PR China.
| | - Yuxian Li
- Beijing Waterworks Group Co., Ltd, Beijing, PR China; Beijing Engineering Research Center for Drinking Water Quality, Beijing, PR China
| | - Hao Xu
- Beijing Waterworks Group Co., Ltd, Beijing, PR China; Beijing Engineering Research Center for Drinking Water Quality, Beijing, PR China
| | - Xiangyi Li
- Beijing Waterworks Group Co., Ltd, Beijing, PR China; Beijing Engineering Research Center for Drinking Water Quality, Beijing, PR China
| | - Junnong Gu
- Beijing Waterworks Group Co., Ltd, Beijing, PR China; Beijing Engineering Research Center for Drinking Water Quality, Beijing, PR China
| | - Xiaolan Zhang
- Beijing Waterworks Group Co., Ltd, Beijing, PR China; Beijing Engineering Research Center for Drinking Water Quality, Beijing, PR China
| | - Yue Wang
- Beijing Waterworks Group Co., Ltd, Beijing, PR China
| | - Yansong Wang
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
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Yang J, Hu Y, Zhang Y, Zhou S, Meng D, Xia S, Wang H. Deciphering the diversity and assemblage mechanisms of nontuberculous mycobacteria community in four drinking water distribution systems with different disinfectants. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 907:168176. [PMID: 37907107 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168176] [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: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) represent an emerging health concern due to their escalating infections worldwide. Although drinking water distribution systems (DWDSs) have been considered as NTM reservoirs and a potential infection route, NTM community at the species level remain largely elusive in DWDSs. This study employed high-throughput sequencing coupled with qPCR to profile NTM community and estimate their abundances at the species level in water and biofilm samples in four DWDSs using three different disinfectants (i.e. free chlorine, chloramine and chlorine dioxide). Results demonstrated the dominance of Mycobacterium paragordonae and Mycobacterium mucogenicum in both biofilm and water across four DWDSs, whereas Mycobacterium abscessus and Mycobacterium chelonae, the two clinically significant species, exhibited low abundance but high prevalence. Comparable NTM community was observed in biofilm across these four DWDSs. Distinct separation of NTM community between SH-chloramine DWDSs water and other DWDSs highlighted the selective pressure of chloramine on NTM community. Furthermore, the research revealed that biofilm and water exhibited distinct NTM community structures, with biofilm harboring more diverse NTM community. Certain NTM species displayed a preference for biofilm, such as Mycobacterium gordonae, while others, like Mycobacterium mucogenicum, were more abundant in water samples (P < 0.05). In terms of NTM community assembly, stochastic processes dominated biofilm, while comparable role of stochastic and deterministic processes was observed in water. In conclusion, this study offers a pioneering and comprehensive insight into the dynamics and assembly mechanisms of NTM community within four DWDSs treated with three distinct disinfectants. These findings serve as a critical foundation for assessing NTM exposure risks and devising effective management strategies within DWDSs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yuxing Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Shuang Zhou
- School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Die Meng
- Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Siqing Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Hong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China.
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Ke Y, Sun W, Liu S, Zhu Y, Yan S, Chen X, Xie S. Seasonal variations of biofilm C, N and S cycling genes in a pilot-scale chlorinated drinking water distribution system. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 247:120759. [PMID: 37897999 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120759] [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: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
Biofilms in drinking water distribution systems (DWDS) host diverse microorganisms. However, the functional attributes of DWDS biofilms and their associations with seasonality remain unclear. This study aims to characterize variations in the microbial metabolic traits of DWDS biofilms collected during different seasons, using a pilot-scale DWDS in dark under plug-flow conditions during one-year operation period. Network analysis was used to predict the functional gene hosts. The overall functional attributes determined by shotgun metagenomics exhibited significant differences among seasons. Genes associated with aromatic metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis and degradation, and capsular extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) were significantly upregulated in summer owing to the higher temperatures and chlorine in the influent of the DWDS. Moreover, the pathways associated with nitrogen, sulfur, glycolysis, and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycling, as well as carbon fixation were reconstructed and displayed according to the sampling season. Nitrogen reduction pathways [dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) 73 %, assimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (ANRA) 21 %] were identified in DWDS biofilms, but nitrogen oxidation pathways were not. Sulfur cycling were involved in diverse pathways and genes. Glycolysis and TCA cycling offered electron donors and energy sources for nitrogen and sulfur reduction in biofilms. Carbon fixation was observed in DWDS biofilms, with the predominant pathway for fixing carbon dioxide being the reductive citrate cycle (38 %). Constructed functional gene networks composed of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycling-related genes demonstrated synergistic effects (Positive proportion: 63.52-71.09 %). In addition, from spring to autumn, the network complexity decreased and network modularity increased. The assembly mechanism of carbon, nitrogen and sulfur cycling-related genes was driven by stochastic processes for all samples. These results highlight the diverse functional genes in DWDS biofilms, their synergetic interrelationships, and the seasonality effect on functional attributes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanchu Ke
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Wenjun Sun
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Research Institute for Environmental Innovation (Suzhou) Tsinghua, Suzhou 215163, China.
| | - Shuming Liu
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Research Institute for Environmental Innovation (Suzhou) Tsinghua, Suzhou 215163, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Shuang Yan
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xiuli Chen
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Shuguang Xie
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
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Cai X, Hu Y, Zhou S, Meng D, Xia S, Wang H. Unraveling bacterial and eukaryotic communities in secondary water supply systems: Dynamics, assembly, and health implications. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 245:120597. [PMID: 37713796 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Secondary water supply systems (SWSSs) are crucial water supply infrastructures for high-rise buildings in metropolitan cities. In recent years, they have garnered public attention due to increased microbial risks. However, our understanding of SWSS microbial ecology, particularly concerning the composition of eukaryotes and the underlying mechanisms driving microbial dynamics and assembly in SWSSs, remains elusive. Herein, we conducted a comprehensive investigation on both eukaryotes and bacteria along the water transportation pathway and across various microbial habitats (water, biofilm, and sediment) in SWSSs. Sequencing results revealed that eukaryotes within SWSSs predominantly consist of protists (average abundance: 31.23%) and metazoans (20.91%), while amoebae accounted for 4.71% of the total. During water transportation from the distribution mains to taps, both bacterial and eukaryotic communities exhibited significant community shifts, and higher degrees of variation were observed for eukaryotic community among different locations within SWSSs. The normalized stochasticity ratio (NST) analysis demonstrated that bacterial community assembly was governed by stochastic processes, while eukaryotic community assembly was primarily shaped by deterministic processes. Within SWSS tanks, bacterial communities significantly varied across water, biofilm, and sediment, whereas eukaryotic communities showed minor differences among these habitats. The co-occurrence networks analysis revealed that tank biofilm and sediment harbored more eukaryote-bacterium linkages than water, suggesting biofilm and sediment might be hotspots for inter-kingdom interactions. We also applied FEAST analysis to track the source of tap water microbiota, results of which showed that household-tap bacteria mainly originated from tank water. In contrast, tank biofilm was identified as the primary microbial source to eukaryotes in household tap water. Additionally, engineering factors such as tank materials significantly affected amoeba community, and the SWSS configuration was found to influence Legionella and Mycobacterium abundances in SWSSs. Overall, results of our study shed light on the microbial ecology in SWSS and provide insights into SWSS management and health risk control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xucheng Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China; Key Laboratory of Urban Water Supply, Water Saving and Water Environment Governance in the Yangtze River Delta of Ministry of Water Resources, China
| | - Yuxing Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China; Key Laboratory of Urban Water Supply, Water Saving and Water Environment Governance in the Yangtze River Delta of Ministry of Water Resources, China
| | - Shuang Zhou
- School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Die Meng
- Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Siqing Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China; Key Laboratory of Urban Water Supply, Water Saving and Water Environment Governance in the Yangtze River Delta of Ministry of Water Resources, China
| | - Hong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China; Key Laboratory of Urban Water Supply, Water Saving and Water Environment Governance in the Yangtze River Delta of Ministry of Water Resources, China.
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Hu D, Li X, Zeng J, Xiao X, Zhao W, Zhang J, Yu X. Hidden risks: Simulated leakage of domestic sewage to secondary water supply systems poses serious microbiological risks. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 244:120529. [PMID: 37666151 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120529] [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: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
There are continuous reports about the pollution of the secondary water supply systems (SWSSs), among which domestic sewage leakage is the most serious. In this study, a pilot experiment lasting 70 days was conducted to explore the changes in physicochemical water quality and the microbial profiles in SWSSs polluted by different doses of domestic sewage through qPCR and high-throughput sequencing methods. The results showed that when domestic sewage entered the simulated water storage tank, a large amount of organic matter brought by domestic sewage quickly consumed chlorine disinfectants. High pollution levels (pollution index ≥ 1/1000) were accompanied by significant increases in turbidity and ammonia nitrogen concentration (p < 0.05) and by abnormal changes in sensory properties. Although different microbial community structures were found only at high pollution levels, qPCR results showed that the abundance of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene and some pathogenic gene markers in the polluted tank increased with the pollution level, and the specific gene marker of pathogens could be detected even at imperceptible pollution levels. In particular, the high detection frequency and abundance of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecails in polluted tank water samples demonstrated that they can be used for early warning. Moreover, it seems that the microorganisms that came with the domestic sewage lost their cultivability soon after entering SWSSs but could recover their activities during stagnation. In addition, the biofilm biomass in the polluted tank with high pollution levels increased faster at the initial stage, while after a longer contact time, it tended to remain at the same level as the control tank. This study emphasized the high microbial risk introduced by sewage water leakage even at imperceptible levels and could provide scientific suggestions for early warning and prevention of pollution to SWSSs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Hu
- School of Public Health, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, China
| | - Xiang Li
- School of Public Health, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, China
| | - Jie Zeng
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto University Katsura, Nishikyo, Kyoto 615-8540, Japan
| | - Xinyan Xiao
- College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Wenya Zhao
- College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Jiakang Zhang
- College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Xin Yu
- College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
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Ke Y, Sun W, Chen X, Zhu Y, Guo X, Yan W, Xie S. Seasonality Determines the Variations of Biofilm Microbiome and Antibiotic Resistome in a Pilot-Scale Chlorinated Drinking Water Distribution System Deciphered by Metagenome Assembly. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:11430-11441. [PMID: 37478472 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c01980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the biofilm microbiome and antibiotic resistome evolution in drinking water distribution systems (DWDSs) is crucial to ensure the safety of drinking water. We explored the 10 month evolution of the microbial community, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), mobile gene elements (MGEs) co-existing with ARGs and pathogenic ARG hosts, and the ARG driving factors in DWDS biofilms using metagenomics assembly. Sampling season was critical in determining the microbial community and antibiotic resistome shift. Pseudomonas was the primary biofilm colonizer, and biofilms diversified more as the formation time increased. Most genera tended to cooperate to adapt to an oligotrophic environment with disinfectant stress. Biofilm microbial community and antibiotic resistome assembly were mainly determined by stochastic processes and changed with season. Metagenome assembly provided the occurrence and fates of MGEs co-existing with ARGs and ARG hosts in DWDS biofilms. The abundance of ARG- and MGE-carrying pathogen Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was high in summer. It primarily harbored the aph(3)-IIb, multidrug transporter, smeD, and metallo-beta-lactamase ARGs, which were transferred via recombination. The microbial community was the most crucial factor driving the antibiotic resistance shift. We provide novel insights about the evolution of pathogens and ARGs and their correlations in DWDS biofilms to ensure the safety of drinking water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanchu Ke
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Wenjun Sun
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Research Institute for Environmental Innovation (Suzhou) Tsinghua, Suzhou 215163, China
| | - Xiuli Chen
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xu Guo
- Fangshan District Water Bureau, Beijing 102445, China
| | - Weixin Yan
- Beijing BiSheng United Water Company, Beijing 102400, China
| | - Shuguang Xie
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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10
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Hu D, Lin W, Zeng J, Zhang H, Wei Y, Yu X. To close or open the tank input water valve: Secondary water-supply systems with double tanks will induce a higher microbial risk. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 874:162301. [PMID: 36801325 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162301] [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: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Secondary water supply systems (SWSSs) are widely used to supply water to high-rise households in urban residential buildings. A special mode of double tanks with one used while another was spared was noted in SWSSs, which would facilitate microbial growth due to longer water stagnation in the spare tank. There are limited studies on the microbial risk of water samples in such SWSSs. In this study, the input water valves of the operational SWSSs consisting of double tanks were artificially closed and opened on time. Propidium monoazide-qPCR and high-throughput sequencing were performed to systematically investigate the microbial risks in water samples. After closing the tank input water valve, it may take several weeks to replace the bulk water in the spare tank. The residual chlorine concentration in the spare tank decreased by up to 85 % within 2-3 days compared with that in the input water. The microbial communities in the spare and used tank water samples clustered separately. High bacterial 16S rRNA gene abundance and pathogens-like sequences were detected in the spare tanks. Most antibiotic-resistant genes (11/15) in the spare tanks showed an increase in their relative abundance. Moreover, when both tanks within one SWSS were in use, the water quality of the used tank water samples deteriorated to varying degrees. Overall, running SWSSs with double tanks will reduce the replacement rate of water in one storage tank, and consumers who use taps served by the presented SWSSs may have a higher microbial risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Hu
- School of Public Health, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, China
| | - Wenfang Lin
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Jie Zeng
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto University Katsura, Nishikyo, Kyoto 615-8540, Japan
| | - Heng Zhang
- College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Yating Wei
- College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Xin Yu
- College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
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11
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Ke Y, Sun W, Jing Z, Zhu Y, Zhao Z, Xie S. Antibiotic resistome alteration along a full-scale drinking water supply system deciphered by metagenome assembly: Regulated by seasonality, mobile gene elements and antibiotic resistant gene hosts. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 862:160887. [PMID: 36521611 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Both drinking water treatment processes and distribution can lead to antibiotic resistome variation, yet the variation of antibiotic resistome in the whole drinking water supply system (DWSS) combined with seasonality remains unknown. In this study, microbial community, antibiotic resistome, mobile genetic elements (MGEs) co-existing with antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and ARG hosts would be explored along a DWSS for four seasons with metagenome assembly. Multidrug and bacitracin ARGs were dominant ARGs in DWSS. Integrase, plasmids, recombinase and transposase were major MGEs co-existing with ARGs. Filtration and disinfection treatments could alter the ARG relative abundance, mainly via changing the abundance of ARG hosts (Limnohabitans and Polynucleobacter), which was influenced by water total organic carbon (TOC) content. When TOC was relatively high, filtration could proliferate ARGs via promoting antibiotic resistance bacteria (ARB) but chlorine dioxide could decrease ARGs via killing ARB. Filtration played an important role in controlling ARGs by reducing ARB when TOC was relatively low. The stimulation effect of disinfection on ARGs existed in more oligotrophic environment. Distribution could enrich ARGs in higher temperature by increasing MGEs co-occurring with ARGs and diversifying ARG hosts. MGEs co-occurring with ARGs became more abundant and diverse in disinfected water in warmer seasons. Microbial community was the most important factor determining the antibiotic resistome along a DWSS. These findings extend the knowledge about how and why water treatment processes and pipe distribution shape drinking water antibiotic resistome in different seasons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanchu Ke
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Wenjun Sun
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Research Institute for Environmental Innovation (Suzhou) Tsinghua, Suzhou 215163, China.
| | - Zibo Jing
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yin Zhu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Zhinan Zhao
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Shuguang Xie
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
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12
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Hu D, Zeng J, Chen J, Lin W, Xiao X, Feng M, Yu X. Microbiological quality of roof tank water in an urban village in southeastern China. J Environ Sci (China) 2023; 125:148-159. [PMID: 36375901 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2022.01.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Urban villages are unique residential neighborhoods in urban areas in China. Roof tanks are their main form of water supply, and water quality deterioration might occur in this system because of poor hygienic conditions and maintenance. In this study, water samples were seasonally collected from an urban village to investigate the influence of roof tanks as an additional water storage device on the variation in the microbial community structure and pathogenic gene markers. Water stagnation in the roof tank induced significant decreases in chlorine (p < 0.05), residual chlorine was as low as 0.02 mg/L in spring. Propidium monoazide (PMA)-qPCR revealed a one-magnitude higher level of total viable bacterial concentration in roof tank water samples (2.14 ± 1.81 × 105 gene copies/mL) than that in input water samples (3.57 ± 2.90 × 104 gene copies/mL, p < 0.05), especially in spring and summer. In addition, pathogenic fungi, Mycobacterium spp., and Legionella spp. were frequently detected in the roof tanks. Terminal users might be exposed to higher microbial risk induced by high abundance of Legionella gene marker. Spearman's rank correlation and redundancy analysis showed that residual chlorine was the driving force that promoted bacterial colonization and shaped the microbial community. It is worth noted that the sediment in the pipe will be agitated when the water supply is restored after the water outages, which can trigger an increase in turbidity and bacterial biomass. Overall, the findings provide practical suggestions for controlling microbiological health risks in roof tanks in urban villages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Hu
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jie Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Shitang Community Health Service Center, Xiamen 361026, China
| | - Wenfang Lin
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Xinyan Xiao
- College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Mingbao Feng
- College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Xin Yu
- College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
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13
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Zhou Q, Huang J, Guo K, Lou Y, Wang H, Zhou R, Tang J, Hou P. Spatiotemporal distribution of opportunistic pathogens and microbial community in centralized rural drinking water: One year survey in China. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 218:115045. [PMID: 36513125 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.115045] [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: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Centralized water supply in rural areas, supported by small waterworks (small-central mode) and by municipal water treatment plants (urban-extension mode), is an important guarantee to implement the Rural Revitalization Strategy Plan (2018-2022) in China. Opportunistic pathogens (OPs) could not be evaluated by the national drinking water sanitation standards in China (GB 5749-2022), posing potential microbial risks in rural drinking water. In this study, the spatiotemporal distribution of OPs, microbial community and the associated functional composition under two central water supply modes were investigated by molecular approaches. The results indicated that OPs were widely presented in the rural drinking water regardless of water supply modes, and were more abundant than those in the urban tap water. The insufficient residual chlorine and higher turbidity triggered more microbial proliferation, posing a seasonal variation of OPs gene copy numbers and bacterial community compositions. In warm seasons of summer and autumn, the gene copies of E. coli, M. avium, Pseudomonas spp. and the amoeba host Acanthamoeba spp. achieved up to 4.92, 3.94, 6.75 and 3.74 log10 (gene copies/mL), respectively. Potential functional prediction indicated higher relative abundance of pathogenic genes and infectious risks associated with the rural drinking water under small-central water supply mode. This one-year survey of the spatiotemporal distribution of OPs and microbial community provided scientific insights into microbial safety of rural drinking water, prompting attention on small-central water supply mode against OPs risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaomei Zhou
- College of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, 310018, PR China.
| | - Jingang Huang
- College of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, 310018, PR China; The Belt and Road Information Research Institute, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, 310018, PR China.
| | - Kangyin Guo
- College of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, 310018, PR China; Zhejiang Sunrise Garment Group Co., Ltd., Shengzhou, 312400, PR China
| | - Yucheng Lou
- College of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, 310018, PR China
| | - Haibo Wang
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, PR China.
| | - Rongbing Zhou
- College of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, 310018, PR China
| | - Junhong Tang
- College of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, 310018, PR China
| | - Pingzhi Hou
- The Belt and Road Information Research Institute, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, 310018, PR China
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14
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Liu L, Zheng Y, Ruan H, Li L, Zhao L, Zhang M, Duan L, He S. Drinking natural water unchangeably is associated with reduced all-cause mortality in elderly people: A longitudinal prospective study from China. Front Public Health 2022; 10:981782. [PMID: 36072371 PMCID: PMC9441631 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.981782] [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] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Because of rapid economic growth and followed urban expansion in China, many people drinking natural water had to change their water sources to tap water. We aimed to test the unknown association that whether continued use of natural water for drinking is different from switching to tap water in all-cause mortality risks in elderly people. Methods In total, based on Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, 26,688 elderly participants drinking natural water from childhood to young-old were included in the final analyses. Associations between whether changing drinking water sources or not and all-cause mortality risk were then estimated by Cox regression models with the use of multiple propensity score methods, and the primary analysis used propensity score matching, with other propensity score methods confirming the robustness of the results. Results Baseline characteristics were fairly well balanced by the three post-randomization methods. During a median follow-up period of 3.00 (IQR: 1.52, 5.73) years, 21,379 deaths were recorded. The primary analysis showed people using natural water unchangeably was associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality than those switching to tap water in later life (HR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.91-0.97, p < 0.001). Other propensity score methods, as well as Cox regression analysis without using propensity score methods, showed similar results. Conclusions Among elderly people depending on natural water for drinking from their childhood to young-old in China, continued use of natural water was associated with a lower all-cause mortality risk than conversion to tap water later. Further studies in different countries and populations are needed to verify our conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Liu
- Department of Cardiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yi Zheng
- Department of Cardiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Haiyan Ruan
- Department of Cardiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,Department of Cardiology, Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Shuangliu District, Chengdu, China
| | - Liying Li
- Department of Cardiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Liming Zhao
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Hospital of Chengdu Office of People's Government of Tibetan Autonomous Region, Chengdu, China
| | - Muxin Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,Department of Cardiology, First People's Hospital of Longquanyi District, Chengdu, China
| | - Linjia Duan
- Department of Cardiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Sen He
- Department of Cardiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,*Correspondence: Sen He
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15
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Hu D, Zeng J, Hu Y, Fei X, Xiao X, Feng M, Yu X. A survey on heavy metal concentrations in residential neighborhoods: The influence of secondary water supply systems. J Environ Sci (China) 2022; 117:37-45. [PMID: 35725087 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2021.12.032] [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: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Water quality deterioration often occurs in secondary water supply systems (SWSSs), and increased heavy metal concentrations can be a serious problem. In this survey, twelve residential neighborhoods were selected to investigate the influence of SWSSs on the seasonal changes in heavy metal concentrations from input water to tank and tap water. The concentrations of nine evaluated heavy metals in all groups of water samples were found to be far below the specified standard levels in China. The concentrations of Fe, Mn, and Zn increased significantly from the input water samples to the tank and tap water samples in spring and summer (p < 0.05), especially for the water samples that had been stagnant for a long time. Negative correlations were found between most of the heavy metals and residual chlorine (Fe, Cu, Zn, and As, r = -0.186 to -0.519, p < 0.05). In particular, a high negative correlation was observed between Fe and residual chlorine (r = -0.489 to -0.519, p < 0.01) in spring and summer. Fe and Mn displayed positive correlations with turbidity (r = 0.672 and 0.328, respectively; p < 0.05). In addition, Cr and As were found to be positively associated with some nutrients (NO3-, TN, and SO42-; r = 0.420-0.786, p < 0.01). The material of the storage tanks had little influence on the difference in heavy metal concentrations. Overall, this survey illustrated that SWSSs may pose a chronic threat to water quality and could provide useful information for practitioners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Hu
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jie Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Yue Hu
- Freshwater Fishery Research Institute of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing 210017, China
| | - Xiali Fei
- Xiamen Municipal Water Group. Ltd., Xiamen 361000, China
| | - Xinyan Xiao
- College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Mingbao Feng
- College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Xin Yu
- College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
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16
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Chen J, Li W, Tan Q, Sheng D, Li Y, Chen S, Zhou W. Effect of disinfectant exposure and starvation treatment on the detachment of simulated drinking water biofilms. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 807:150896. [PMID: 34653459 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Biofilms were one of the main habitats of microbes in the drinking water distribution system. The variation of environmental conditions can lead to the detachment of biofilms and the deterioration of water quality. In this study, the effects of disinfectant exposure and starvation treatment on the detachment of biofilms were investigated. The results showed that detaching rate increased with the concentration of chloramine in the inlet water and 1.0 mg/L of chloramine led to the largest detached biomass. The starvation treatment resulted in less biofilm biomass but the detaching rates of treated biofilms were higher than those without starvation. The 16S rRNA sequencing results showed that detached and stubborn biofilms had a significant difference in microbial diversity and richness. The microbial community composition of the two types of biofilm showed the difference in the abundance of Nitrospira, Bryobacter, Hyphomicrobium, and Pedomicrobium. Chloramine exposure did not have a significant impact on the microbial community while the starvation treatment led to a higher abundance of chemolithotrophs bacteria. Metagenomic results indicated that detached biofilms had higher abundances of ARGs and starvation treatment could enrich the ARGs. The results of this research could provide the knowledge of biofilm sloughing and help understand the health risk of antibiotic resistance in drinking water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiping Chen
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Weiying Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
| | - Qiaowen Tan
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Dongfang Sheng
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yue Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Sheng Chen
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
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17
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Yu Q, Feng T, Yang J, Su W, Zhou R, Wang Y, Zhang H, Li H. Seasonal distribution of antibiotic resistance genes in the Yellow River water and tap water, and their potential transmission from water to human. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 292:118304. [PMID: 34627965 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence and transmission of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and opportunistic pathogens in water environments can pose great threat to public health. However, the dissemination of ARGs and opportunistic pathogens from water environments to humans has been poorly explored. Here, we employed 16S rRNA gene sequencing and high-throughput quantitative PCR techniques to explore the seasonal distribution of ARGs and opportunistic pathogens in the Yellow River water (source water) and tap water, as well as their relationships with healthy humans at Lanzhou, China. Physiochemical analysis was applied to detect water quality parameters and heavy metal contents. The absolute abundance and diversity of ARGs in the Yellow River and tap water demonstrated distinct seasonal patterns. In winter, the Yellow river water had the highest ARG abundance and diversity, while tap water owned the lowest. Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) were the predominant driver of ARG profiles in both the Yellow river and tap water. Null model analysis showed that ARG assembly in the Yellow River was more influenced by stochastic processes than tap water and this was independent of seasons. Total organic carbon and arsenic contents exhibited positive correlations with many ARGs. Opportunistic pathogens Aeromonas and Pseudomonas may be potential hosts for ARGs. Approximately 80% of detected ARGs were shared between water samples and the human gut. These persistent ARGs could not be entirely eliminated through drinking water treatment processes. Thus, it is crucial to protect sources of tap water from anthropogenic pollution and improve water treatment technologies to reduce the dissemination of ARGs and ensure drinking-water biosafety for human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoling Yu
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Tianshu Feng
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Jiawei Yang
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Wanghong Su
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Rui Zhou
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Yijie Wang
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Anhui Microanaly Gene Co., Ltd., Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Huan Li
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China; Center for Grassland Microbiome, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
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18
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Geng B, Fan J, Shi M, Zhang S, Li J. Control of maximum water age based on total chlorine decay in secondary water supply system. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 287:132198. [PMID: 34517238 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132198] [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: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
97% of residential buildings are installed with secondary water supply system (SWSS) in China. In order to meet the water pressure demand, the SWSS has become a key solution to store and transport drinking water. The water age of the SWSS directly determines the quality of tap water, while total chlorine is a key indicator to evaluate the quality and safety of the water supply network. This study revealed the relationship between total chlorine and water age controlled by adjusting the liquid level of the secondary water supply tank. Models governing water age and the total chlorine concentration were developed based on the variation of the liquid level and the attenuation rate of the total chlorine in the SWSS. Furthermore, the validation was performed through case studies. The developed models can gain effective insights for determining the longest water age while guaranteeing the concentration of total chlorine meets the demand of the lower standard in SWSS. The secondary chlorine dosage would be quantified and added to the pipe network. The integration of the SWSS would be guided by water age in some old communities. The taste of tap water for direct drinking water could be improved by adjusting of water age using this model. The optimization method is easy to use for identifying efficient solutions for SWSS operation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Geng
- Shanghai Urban Water Resource Development and Utilization National Engineering Center Co., Ltd., Shanghai, 200082, China
| | - Jingjing Fan
- Water Supply Branch Company of Shanghai SMIW, Shanghai, 200002, China
| | - Minghao Shi
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing, 400054, China
| | - Shuai Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment Monitoring and Pollution Control (AEMPC), Collaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology (CIC-AEET), Nanjing University of Information Science &Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China.
| | - Jiuling Li
- Advanced Water Management Centre, Building 60, Research Road, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
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19
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Vilela PB, Mendonça Neto RP, Starling MCVM, da S Martins A, Pires GFF, Souza FAR, Amorim CC. Metagenomic analysis of MWWTP effluent treated via solar photo-Fenton at neutral pH: Effects upon microbial community, priority pathogens, and antibiotic resistance genes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 801:149599. [PMID: 34467925 PMCID: PMC8573595 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
The effectiveness of advanced technologies on eliminating antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and resistance genes (ARGs) from wastewaters have been recently investigated. Solar photo-Fenton has been proven effective in combating ARB and ARGs from Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant effluent (MWWTPE). However, most of these studies have relied solely on cultivable methods to assess ARB removal. This is the first study to investigate the effect of solar photo-Fenton upon ARB and ARGs in MWWTPE by high throughput metagenomic analysis (16S rDNA sequencing and Whole Genome Sequencing). Treatment efficiency upon priority pathogens and resistome profile were also investigated. Solar photo-Fenton (30 mg L-1 of Fe2+ intermittent additions and 50 mg L-1 of H2O2) reached 76-86% removal of main phyla present in MWWTPE. An increase in Proteobacteria abundance was observed after solar photo-Fenton and controls in which H2O2 was present as an oxidant (Fenton, H2O2 only, solar/H2O2). Hence, tolerance mechanisms presented by this group should be further assessed. Solar photo-Fenton achieved complete removal of high priority Staphylococcus and Enterococcus, as well as Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Substantial reduction of intrinsically multi-drug resistant bacteria was detected. Solar photo-Fenton removed nearly 60% of ARGs associated with sulfonamides, macrolides, and tetracyclines, and complete removal of ARGs related to β-lactams and fluoroquinolones. These results indicate the potential of using solar-enhanced photo-Fenton to limit the spread of antimicrobial resistance, especially in developing tropical countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pâmela B Vilela
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Escola de Engenharia, Departamento de Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental, Research Group on Environmental Applications of Advanced Oxidation Processes (GruPOA), Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Rondon P Mendonça Neto
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Escola de Engenharia, Departamento de Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental, Research Group on Environmental Applications of Advanced Oxidation Processes (GruPOA), Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Maria Clara V M Starling
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Escola de Engenharia, Departamento de Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental, Research Group on Environmental Applications of Advanced Oxidation Processes (GruPOA), Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Alessandra da S Martins
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Escola de Engenharia, Departamento de Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental, Research Group on Environmental Applications of Advanced Oxidation Processes (GruPOA), Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Giovanna F F Pires
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Escola de Engenharia, Departamento de Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental, Research Group on Environmental Applications of Advanced Oxidation Processes (GruPOA), Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Felipe A R Souza
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Escola de Engenharia, Departamento de Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental, Research Group on Environmental Applications of Advanced Oxidation Processes (GruPOA), Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Camila C Amorim
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Escola de Engenharia, Departamento de Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental, Research Group on Environmental Applications of Advanced Oxidation Processes (GruPOA), Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
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20
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Hu D, Hong H, Rong B, Wei Y, Zeng J, Zhu J, Bai L, Guo F, Yu X. A comprehensive investigation of the microbial risk of secondary water supply systems in residential neighborhoods in a large city. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 205:117690. [PMID: 34614460 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Secondary water supply systems (SWSSs) are characterized by long water stagnation and low levels of chlorine residuals, which may pose a high microbial risk to terminal users. In this study, the SWSSs of 12 residential neighborhoods in a metropolitan area of 5 million people in southeastern China were seasonally investigated to assess their microbial risks by determining more than 30 physicochemical and biological parameters. Although the microbiological quality of SWSS water met the requirements of the standards for drinking water quality of China, it did deteriorate in various aspects. The heterotrophic plate counts with R2A media were high (> 100 CFU/mL) in some SWSS tank and tap water samples. Propidium monoazide (PMA)-qPCR revealed a one magnitude higher abundance of viable bacteria in the tank and tap water samples (average 103.63±1.10 and 103.65±1.25 gene copies/mL, respectively) compared with the input water samples, and Enterococcus, Acanthamoeba, and Hartmannella vermiformis were only detected in the tanks. In particular, the high detection frequency of Legionella in 35% tank and 21% tap water samples suggested it is a supplementary microbial safety indicator in SWSSs. The microbial regrowth potential was more obvious in summer, and Illumina sequencing also demonstrated distinct seasonal changes in the relative abundance of bacterial gene sequences at the genus level. Turbidity and residual chlorine were closely connected with total bacterial biomass, and the latter seemed responsible for microbial community structure alteration. The extremely low chlorine residuals associated with a high abundance of total bacteria (as high as 106.48 gene copies/mL) and Legionella (as high as 106.71 gene copies/100 mL) in the closed valve tanks highlighted the high microbial risk increased by mishandling the operation of SWSSs. This study found that SWSSs possessed a higher microbial risk than the drinking water network, which suggested that the frequency and scope of monitoring the microbial risk of SWSSs in megacities should be strengthened for the purpose of waterborne epidemic disease prevention and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Hu
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Huarong Hong
- Xiamen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Biao Rong
- Xiamen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Yating Wei
- College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Jie Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Jun Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Lijun Bai
- College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Feng Guo
- School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Xin Yu
- College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
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21
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Han Z, Lu J, An W, Zhang Y, Yang M. Removal efficacy of opportunistic pathogen gene markers in drinking water supply systems: an in situ and large-scale molecular investigation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:54153-54160. [PMID: 34389952 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-15744-y] [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: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence and interactions with biofilm and disinfectant of opportunistic pathogens in drinking water supply systems (DWSSs) have been extensively interpreted. In contrast, the large geographical distribution and in situ removal of opportunistic pathogens are overlooked aspects. Here, paired source and tap water samples of 36 parallel DWSSs across China were collected, with five common waterborne pathogens characterized by qPCR. From source to tap, the removal of bacterial biomass (16S rRNA gene copy number) was 1.10 log, and gene marker removal of five opportunistic pathogens ranged from 0.66 log to 2.27 log, with the order of Escherichia coli > Mycobacterium spp. > Clostridium perfringens > Bacillus cereus > Aeromonas hydrophila. Different with bacterial community, geographical location and source water types (river or reservoir) were not key contributor to variation of opportunistic pathogens. Gene marker removal efficacies of E. coli, Mycobacterium spp., and C. perfringens from source to tap were restricted to removal efficacy of overall bacterial biomass, while abundance of B. cereus in tap water linked to the input of B. cereus from source water. Although culture-dependent approach is important for pathogen enumeration in drinking water, qPCR-based molecular survey shows advantages of quantifiable high-throughput and easy operation, providing abundant and timely information on pathogen occurrence in water. This study provides the in situ, molecular-level evidence toward differential propagation features of multiple opportunistic pathogens in DWSSs and suggests the source protection and early warning of treatment-resistant pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziming Han
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Junying Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Wei An
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Min Yang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China.
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Zhang X, Xia S, Ye Y, Wang H. Opportunistic pathogens exhibit distinct growth dynamics in rainwater and tap water storage systems. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 204:117581. [PMID: 34461496 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Opportunistic pathogens (OPs) are emerging microbial contaminants in engineered water systems, yet their growth potential in rainwater systems has not been evaluated. The purpose of this study was to compare the growth dynamics of bacterial OPs and related genera (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Legionella spp., L. pneumophila, Mycobacterium spp., and M. avium), two amoebal hosts (Acanthamoeba spp. and Vermamoeba vermiformis), and the fecal indicator Escherichia coli in simulated rainwater and tap water storage systems (SWSSs). Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) analysis of target microorganisms in SWSS influents and effluents demonstrated that P. aeruginosa and Legionella thrived in rainwater, but not in tap water. V. vermiformis proliferated in both rainwater and tap water polyvinyl chloride (PVC) SWSSs, while mycobacteria were largely absent in rainwater SWSSs. Tank materials exerted stronger influence on target microorganisms in rainwater SWSSs relative to tap water SWSSs, with species-specific responses noted in bulk water and biofilm. For instance, P. aeruginosa and V. vermiformis had the highest gene copy numbers in PVC rainwater SWSS effluents and biofilm, while Legionella peaked in stainless steel rainwater SWSS effluents and PVC rainwater SWSS biofilm. These results highlighted the OP contamination risks in rainwater storage systems and provided insights into rainwater system design and operation in terms of OP control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Chengtou Water Group Corporation, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Siqing Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China.
| | - Yinyin Ye
- Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14260, USA
| | - Hong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China.
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23
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Miao X, Bai X. Characterization of the synergistic relationships between nitrification and microbial regrowth in the chloraminated drinking water supply system. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 199:111252. [PMID: 34015300 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111252] [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: 01/01/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Deterioration of water quality is commonly found in secondary water supply systems (SWSSs), especially the growth of microbes. To explore the metabolic mechanism for rapid microbial regrowth in SWSSs, a regrowth potential assessment, flow cytometry, and quantitative PCR were conducted. Metagenomic and 16S rRNA gene sequencing were performed to better understand the microbial communities and metabolism. It was found that the increased biomass in the SWSS was significantly higher than that in the drinking water distribution system (DWDS). Statistical analysis revealed that ammonia oxidation was the dominant driver of increased biomass in the SWSS. The abundances of ammonia oxidation bacteria, concentration of nitrogen species, and related enzymes demonstrated that ammonia oxidation in the SWSS was more vigorous than that in the DWDS. In the SWSS, the metabolism of the ammonia oxidation cluster was more vigorous, and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) were the dominant nitrifying bacteria. Incomplete nitrification products were involved in the metabolism of heterotrophic bacteria and promoted the growth of heterotrophic bacteria in the SWSS. More attention should be given to controlling incomplete nitrification to improve tap water quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaocao Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, PR China
| | - Xiaohui Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, PR China.
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24
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Evaluation of DNA extraction yield from a chlorinated drinking water distribution system. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0253799. [PMID: 34166448 PMCID: PMC8224906 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Desalination technology based on Reverse Osmosis (RO) membrane filtration has been resorted to provide high-quality drinking water. RO produced drinking water is characterized by a low bacterial cell concentration. Monitoring microbial quality and ensuring membrane-treated water safety has taken advantage of the rapid development of DNA-based techniques. However, the DNA extraction process from RO-based drinking water samples needs to be evaluated regarding the biomass amount (filtration volume) and residual disinfectant such as chlorine, as it can affect the DNA yield. We assessed the DNA recovery applied in drinking water microbiome studies as a function of (i) different filtration volumes, (ii) presence and absence of residual chlorine, and (iii) the addition of a known Escherichia coli concentration into the (sterile and non-sterile, chlorinated and dechlorinated) tap water prior filtration, and directly onto the (0.2 μm pore size, 47 mm diameter) mixed ester cellulose membrane filters without and after tap water filtration. Our findings demonstrated that the co-occurrence of residual chlorine and low biomass/cell density water samples (RO-treated water with a total cell concentration ranging between 2.47 × 102-1.5 × 103 cells/mL) failed to provide sufficient DNA quantity (below the threshold concentration required for sequencing-based procedures) irrespective of filtration volumes used (4, 20, 40, 60 L) and even after performing dechlorination. After exposure to tap water containing residual chlorine (0.2 mg/L), we observed a significant reduction of E. coli cell concentration and the degradation of its DNA (DNA yield was below detection limit) at a lower disinfectant level compared to what was previously reported, indicating that free-living bacteria and their DNA present in the drinking water are subject to the same conditions. The membrane spiking experiment confirmed no significant impact from any potential inhibitors (e.g. organic/inorganic components) present in the drinking water matrix on DNA extraction yield. We found that very low DNA content is likely to be the norm in chlorinated drinking water that gives hindsight to its limitation in providing robust results for any downstream molecular analyses for microbiome surveys. We advise that measurement of DNA yield is a necessary first step in chlorinated drinking water distribution systems (DWDSs) before conducting any downstream omics analyses such as amplicon sequencing to avoid inaccurate interpretations of results based on very low DNA content. This study expands a substantial source of bias in using DNA-based methods for low biomass samples typical in chlorinated DWDSs. Suggestions are provided for DNA-based research in drinking water with residual disinfectant.
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25
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Pereira A, Silva AR, Melo LF. Legionella and Biofilms-Integrated Surveillance to Bridge Science and Real-Field Demands. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9061212. [PMID: 34205095 PMCID: PMC8228026 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9061212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Legionella is responsible for the life-threatening pneumonia commonly known as Legionnaires’ disease or legionellosis. Legionellosis is known to be preventable if proper measures are put into practice. Despite the efforts to improve preventive approaches, Legionella control remains one of the most challenging issues in the water treatment industry. Legionellosis incidence is on the rise and is expected to keep increasing as global challenges become a reality. This puts great emphasis on prevention, which must be grounded in strengthened Legionella management practices. Herein, an overview of field-based studies (the system as a test rig) is provided to unravel the common roots of research and the main contributions to Legionella’s understanding. The perpetuation of a water-focused monitoring approach and the importance of protozoa and biofilms will then be discussed as bottom-line questions for reliable Legionella real-field surveillance. Finally, an integrated monitoring model is proposed to study and control Legionella in water systems by combining discrete and continuous information about water and biofilm. Although the successful implementation of such a model requires a broader discussion across the scientific community and practitioners, this might be a starting point to build more consistent Legionella management strategies that can effectively mitigate legionellosis risks by reinforcing a pro-active Legionella prevention philosophy.
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26
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Siddiqui R, Makhlouf Z, Khan NA. The Increasing Importance of Vermamoeba vermiformis. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2021; 68:e12857. [PMID: 33987951 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Vermamoeba vermiformis are one of the most prevalent free-living amoebae. These amoebae are ubiquitous and also thermotolerant. Of concern, V. vermiformis have been found in hospital water networks. Furthermore, associations between V. vermiformis and pathogenic bacteria have been reported, such as Legionella pneumophila. Moreover, V. vermiformis are well known to host viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms and cases of keratitis due to V. vermiformis in conjunction with other amoebae have been reported. Despite the preceding, the medical importance of V. vermiformis is still an ongoing discussion and its genome has been only recently sequenced. Herein, we present a review of the current understanding of the biology and pathogenesis pertaining to V. vermiformis, as well as its' role as an etiological agent and trojan horse. An approach known as theranostics which combines both diagnosis and therapy could be utilized to eradicate and diagnose keratitis cases caused by such amoebae. Given the rise in global warming, it is imperative to investigate these rarely studied amoebae and to understand their importance in human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui
- College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | - Zinb Makhlouf
- College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | - Naveed Ahmed Khan
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE.,Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
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27
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Chen J, Li W, Zhang J, Qi W, Li Y, Chen S, Zhou W. Prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes in drinking water and biofilms: The correlation with the microbial community and opportunistic pathogens. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 259:127483. [PMID: 32634723 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and opportunistic pathogens (OPs) in drinking water system posed potential risks to human health. However, the occurrence of ARGs and OPs in drinking water biofilms is still at its infancy. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of ARGs and OPs in both water and biofilm samples from a drinking water system, and the correlation between ARGs and microbial communities was analyzed. The quantitative PCR results showed that the drinking water treatment process effectively decreased the absolute abundances of ARGs. However, the relative concentration of ARGs did not show a significant difference between raw water and treated water samples. Compared with bulk water and tap water samples, biofilms had higher relative abundances of ARGs. 16 S Illumina Miseq sequencing results showed that microbial communities of biofilms were distinguished with water samples. Meanwhile, qPCR results of OPs also showed that biofilms had higher relative abundances of OPs compared with water samples. Furthermore, the Spearman correlation analysis indicated that Dechloromonas, Desulfovibrio, Methylobacterium and Propionivibrio correlated well with the relative abundance of ARGs. The absolute concentrations of OPs and ARGs also showed a significant correlation. Results of this study suggest that biofilms could serve as the reservoirs for the spread of ARGs and the interaction between biofilms and bulk water requires further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiping Chen
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Weiying Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| | - Junpeng Zhang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Wanqi Qi
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yue Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Sheng Chen
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
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28
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Xue J, Zhang B, Lamori J, Shah K, Zabaleta J, Garai J, Taylor CM, Sherchan SP. Molecular detection of opportunistic pathogens and insights into microbial diversity in private well water and premise plumbing. JOURNAL OF WATER AND HEALTH 2020; 18:820-834. [PMID: 33095203 PMCID: PMC9115838 DOI: 10.2166/wh.2020.271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Private well water systems in rural areas that are improperly maintained will result in poor drinking water quality, loss of water supply, and pose human health risk. The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) and opportunistic pathogens in private well water in rural areas surrounding New Orleans, Louisiana. Our results confirmed the ubiquitous nature of Legionella (86.7%) and mycobacteria (68.1%) in private well water in the study area, with gene concentration ranged from 0.60 to 5.53 and 0.67 to 5.95 Log10 of GC/100 mL, respectively. Naegleria fowleri target sequence was detected in 16.8% and Escherichia coli was detected in 43.4% of the water samples. Total coliform, as well as Legionella and mycobacteria genetic markers' concentrations were significantly reduced by 3-minute flushing. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) data indicated that the abundance of bacterial species was significantly increased in water collected in kitchens compared with samples from wells directly. This study provided integrated knowledge on the persistence of pathogenic organisms in private well water. Further study is needed to explore the presence of clinical species of those opportunistic pathogens in private well water systems to elucidate the health risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Xue
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112, USA E-mail:
| | - Bowen Zhang
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, 47306, USA
| | - Jennifer Lamori
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112, USA E-mail:
| | - Kinjal Shah
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112, USA E-mail:
| | - Jovanny Zabaleta
- Department of Pediatrics and Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Louisiana Cancer Research Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112, USA
| | - Jone Garai
- Department of Pediatrics and Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Louisiana Cancer Research Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112, USA
| | - Christopher M Taylor
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112, USA
| | - Samendra P Sherchan
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112, USA E-mail:
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29
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Han Z, Zhang Y, An W, Lu J, Hu J, Yang M. Antibiotic resistomes in drinking water sources across a large geographical scale: Multiple drivers and co-occurrence with opportunistic bacterial pathogens. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 183:116088. [PMID: 32622239 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) can survive the water treatment process. However, the prevalence patterns, key drivers, and relationships with opportunistic pathogens of the antibiotic resistome harbored in drinking water sources remain unclear. Herein, 53 drinking water samples collected across a large geographical scale in China were characterized based on ARGs, mobile genetic elements (MGEs), bacterial communities, antibiotics, and opportunistic bacterial pathogens. A total of 265 unique ARGs and MGEs were detected by high-throughput quantitative polymerase chain reaction (HT-qPCR), and 101 genes were shared among over 50% of samples. ARG abundance was higher in rivers than in reservoirs or groundwater, and ARG similarity showed a distance-decay relationship at the >4 000 km scale. Four out of the five detected opportunistic pathogens (i.e., Escherichia coli, Mycobacterium spp., Clostridium perfringens, and Bacillus cereus group) were potential hosts of ARGs. Based on multivariate statistics, our results demonstrated that the factors influencing the antibiotic resistome in drinking water sources were multiple and interactive. The bacterial community greatly contributed to ARG structure, and antibiotic concentrations and MGEs also affected ARG proliferation. The structural equation model indicated that geographical location and sample types (i.e., river, reservoir, and groundwater) had indirect effects on ARGs by changing the bacterial community and antibiotic concentration. Holistic consideration of natural and anthropogenic factors is recommended to understand antibiotic resistome variation in drinking water sources at a large geographical scale. Furthermore, large-scale diverse samples are suggested to minimize the potential influence of accident or stochasticity. Our findings provide insight into water quality risks induced by drinking water antibiotic resistomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziming Han
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Wei An
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Junying Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Jianying Hu
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Min Yang
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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30
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Nisar MA, Ross KE, Brown MH, Bentham R, Whiley H. Legionella pneumophila and Protozoan Hosts: Implications for the Control of Hospital and Potable Water Systems. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9040286. [PMID: 32326561 PMCID: PMC7238060 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9040286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Legionella pneumophila is an opportunistic waterborne pathogen of public health concern. It is the causative agent of Legionnaires’ disease (LD) and Pontiac fever and is ubiquitous in manufactured water systems, where protozoan hosts and complex microbial communities provide protection from disinfection procedures. This review collates the literature describing interactions between L. pneumophila and protozoan hosts in hospital and municipal potable water distribution systems. The effectiveness of currently available water disinfection protocols to control L. pneumophila and its protozoan hosts is explored. The studies identified in this systematic literature review demonstrated the failure of common disinfection procedures to achieve long term elimination of L. pneumophila and protozoan hosts from potable water. It has been demonstrated that protozoan hosts facilitate the intracellular replication and packaging of viable L. pneumophila in infectious vesicles; whereas, cyst-forming protozoans provide protection from prolonged environmental stress. Disinfection procedures and protozoan hosts also facilitate biogenesis of viable but non-culturable (VBNC) L. pneumophila which have been shown to be highly resistant to many water disinfection protocols. In conclusion, a better understanding of L. pneumophila-protozoan interactions and the structure of complex microbial biofilms is required for the improved management of L. pneumophila and the prevention of LD.
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31
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Han Z, An W, Yang M, Zhang Y. Assessing the impact of source water on tap water bacterial communities in 46 drinking water supply systems in China. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 172:115469. [PMID: 31954932 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.115469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Drinking water purification and distribution processes shape the bacterial community in tap water; however, this study calls attention to the impact of source water on tap water bacterial community. Herein, paired source and tap water samples were collected from 46 drinking water supply systems in different watersheds across China, and high-throughput sequencing delineated that bacterial richness and diversity decreased and biogeographical distribution pattern weakened in tap water compared to source water. Despite the great changes of bacteria from source to tap, Bayesian-based SourceTracker analysis still verified that the proportional contributions of source water to shaping the tap water bacterial community ranged from 0% to 92.8% (49.73% ± 30.22% on average). This indelible contribution was further confirmed by the Mantel test (P < 0.001), Procrustes test (P < 0.001) and variance partition analysis, which showed that the source water together with geographical location explained 40.11% of tap water bacterial community variation. To explore the potential reasons that explain the great differences in the impact of source water among different samples, the universal shift pattern of bacterial communities from source to tap was summarized as a classification of dominant bacterial taxa: "sensitive taxa" versus "resistant taxa". The taxa including Planctomycetes, Verrucomicrobia, Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, and δ-Proteobacteria could act as biomarkers to distinguish samples between source and tap water, and were classified as sensitive taxa. In contrast, α-Proteobacteria, β-Proteobacteria, γ-Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Cyanobacteria were classified as resistant taxa. The abundance of sensitive taxa was negatively correlated with the SourceTracker proportion, while the abundance of resistant taxa was positively correlated with the SourceTracker proportion (P < 0.01). Thus, variation in source water bacterial community could be responsible for the degree of impact on tap water. Our findings give notice that the impact of source water microbiomes must be taken more seriously, and sufficient source water protection and engineering control strategies should be implemented to prevent the biological consequences of source water on tap water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziming Han
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Wei An
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China.
| | - Min Yang
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Yu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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De Sotto R, Tang R, Bae S. Biofilms in premise plumbing systems as a double-edged sword: microbial community composition and functional profiling of biofilms in a tropical region. JOURNAL OF WATER AND HEALTH 2020; 18:172-185. [PMID: 32300090 DOI: 10.2166/wh.2020.182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
To understand distributions of opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens (OPPPs) and microbial community structures governed by sample location, pipe materials, water temperature, age of property and type of house, 29 biofilm samples obtained from faucets, pipes, and shower heads in different households in Singapore were examined using next-generation sequencing technology. Predictive functional profiling of the biofilm communities was also performed to understand the potential of uncultivated microorganisms in premise plumbing systems and their involvement in various metabolic pathways. Microbial community analysis showed Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Acidobacteria, Nitrospira, and Actinobacteria to be the most abundant phyla across the samples which was found to be significantly different when grouped by age of the properties, location, and the type of house. Meanwhile, opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens such as Mycobacterium, Citrobacter, Pseudomonas, Stenotrophomonas, and Methylobacterium were observed from the samples at 0.5% of the total reads. Functional prediction using 16S gene markers revealed the involvement of the biofilm communities in different metabolic pathways like nitrogen metabolism, biodegradation of xenobiotics, and bacterial secretion implying diverse functionalities that are yet to be studied in this environment. This study serves as a preliminary survey on the microbial communities harboring premise plumbing systems in a tropical region like Singapore.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan De Sotto
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 5A Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117411, Singapore E-mail:
| | - Rena Tang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 5A Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117411, Singapore E-mail:
| | - Sungwoo Bae
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 5A Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117411, Singapore E-mail:
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Zhang X, Xia S, Zhao R, Wang H. Effect of temperature on opportunistic pathogen gene markers and microbial communities in long-term stored roof-harvested rainwater. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 181:108917. [PMID: 31759642 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2019] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Roof-harvested rainwater (RHRW) has received increasing attention in recent years as an alternative water source for domestic use, yet its biological stability during storage is not fully understood. This study investigated the effects of temperature (4 °C, 20 °C and 30 °C) on the microbiological characteristics of RHRW over a storage period of 60 days by targeting different microbial groups including total bacteria and fecal indictor Escherichia coli, bacterial opportunistic pathogen genera and species (Legionella spp, Legionella pneumophila, Mycobacterium spp, Mycobacterium avium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa), and two amoebas (Acanthamoeba and Vermamoeba vermiformis). The rainwater chemistry demonstrated no obvious change during storage. The highest biomass was observed in RHRW stored at 30 °C, as measured by heterotrophic bacterial counts, adenosine triphosphate, and 16S rRNA gene numbers. Gene markers of E. coli, Legionella spp., P. aeruginosa, and V. vermiformis were detected in fresh RHRW and can persist during RHRW storage; whereas P. aeruginosa was the only species demonstrated significant regrowth at higher storage temperatures (P < 0.05). Acanthamoeba spp. was only detected in RHRW after 50 days of storage at three investigated temperatures, highlighting increased health risks in long-term stored RHRW. Bacterial community compositions were significantly different in RHRW stored at different temperatures, with increased variations among triplicate storage bottles noted at higher temperatures along with storage time. The results provide insights into RHRW storage practices in terms of mitigating microbial contamination risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Siqing Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Renzun Zhao
- Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Department, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA
| | - Hong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai, 200092, China.
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Understanding the impacts of intermittent supply on the drinking water microbiome. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2019; 57:167-174. [PMID: 31100615 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2019.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Revised: 04/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Increasing access to piped water in low-income and middle-income countries combined with the many factors that threaten our drinking water supply infrastructure mean that intermittent water supply (IWS) will remain a common practice around the world. Common features of IWS include water stagnation, pipe drainage, intrusion, backflow, first flush events, and household storage. IWS has been shown to cause degradation as measured by traditional microbial water quality indicators. In this review, we build on new insights into the microbial ecology of continuous water supply systems revealed by sequencing methods to speculate about how intermittent supply conditions may further influence the drinking water microbiome, and identify priorities for future research.
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Dowdell K, Haig SJ, Caverly LJ, Shen Y, LiPuma JJ, Raskin L. Nontuberculous mycobacteria in drinking water systems - the challenges of characterization and risk mitigation. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2019; 57:127-136. [PMID: 31003169 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2019.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2018] [Revised: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) pulmonary infections are a growing concern worldwide, with a disproportionate incidence in persons with pre-existing health conditions. NTM have frequently been found in municipally-treated drinking water and building plumbing, leading to the hypothesis that an important source of NTM exposure is drinking water. The identification and quantification of NTM in environmental samples are complicated by genetic variability among NTM species, making it challenging to determine if clinically relevant NTM are present. Additionally, their unique cellular features and lifestyles make NTM and their nucleic acids difficult to recover. This review highlights a recent work focused on quantification and characterization of NTM and on understanding the influence of source water, treatment plants, distribution systems, and building plumbing on the abundance of NTM in drinking water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Dowdell
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sarah-Jane Haig
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Lindsay J Caverly
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Yun Shen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - John J LiPuma
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Lutgarde Raskin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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Wang H, Xu J, Tang W, Li H, Xia S, Zhao J, Zhang W, Yang Y. Removal Efficacy of Opportunistic Pathogens and Bacterial Community Dynamics in Two Drinking Water Treatment Trains. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2019; 15:e1804436. [PMID: 30536542 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201804436] [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: 10/24/2018] [Revised: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Drinking water treatment processes (DWTPs) impact pathogen colonization and microbial communities in finished water; however, their efficacies against opportunistic pathogens are not fully understood. In this study, the effects of treatment steps on the removal of Legionella spp., Legionella pneumophila, nontuberculous mycobacteria, Mycobacterium avium, and two amoeba hosts (Vermamoeba vermiformis, Acanthamoeba) are evaluated in two parallel trains of DWTPs equipped with different pretreatment units. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrates significantly reduced numbers of total bacteria, Legionella, and mycobacteria during ozonation, followed by a rebound in granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration, whereas sand filtration exerts an overarching effect in removing microorganisms in both treatment trains. V. vermiformis is more prevalent in biofilm (34%) than water samples (7.7%), while Acanthamoeba is not found in the two trains of DWTPs. Illumina sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA genes reveals significant community shifts at different treatment steps, as well as distinct bacterial community structures in water and biofilm samples in parallel units (e.g., ozonation, GAC, sand filtration) between the two trains (analysis of similarities (ANOSIM), p < 0.05), implying the potential influence of different pretreatment steps in shaping the downstream microbiome. Overall, the results provide insights to mitigation of opportunistic pathogens and engineer approaches for managing bacterial communities in DWTPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Jiajiong Xu
- Shanghai Municipal Engineering Design Institute (Group) CO., LTD, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Wei Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Huan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Siqing Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Jianfu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Weixian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200433, China
- Institute for Advanced Study, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200430, China
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