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Wang Y, Wang W, Yu X, Wang Z, Zhou Z, Han Y, Li L. Global diversity of airborne pathogenic bacteria and fungi from wastewater treatment plants. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 258:121764. [PMID: 38761593 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been recognized as one of the major potential sources of the spread of airborne pathogenic microorganisms under the global pandemic of COVID-19. The differences in research regions, wastewater treatment processes, environmental conditions, and other aspects in the existing case studies have caused some confusion in the understanding of bioaerosol pollution characteristics. In this study, we integrated and analyzed data from field sampling and performed a systematic literature search to determine the abundance of airborne microorganisms in 13 countries and 37 cities across four continents (Asia, Europe, North America, and Africa). We analyzed the concentrations of bioaerosols, the core composition, global diversity, determinants, and potential risks of airborne pathogen communities in WWTPs. Our findings showed that the culturable bioaerosol concentrations of global WWTPs are 102-105 CFU/m3. Three core bacterial pathogens, namely Bacillus, Acinetobacter, and Pseudomonas, as well as two core fungal pathogens, Cladosporium and Aspergillus, were identified in the air across global WWTPs. WWTPs have unique core pathogenic communities and distinct continental divergence. The sources of airborne microorganisms (wastewater) and environmental variables (relative humidity and air contaminants) have impacts on the distribution of airborne pathogens. Potential health risks are associated with the core airborne pathogens in WWTPs. Our study showed the specificity, multifactorial influences, and potential pathogenicity of airborne pathogenic communities in WWTPs. Our findings can improve the understanding of the global diversity and biogeography of airborne pathogens in WWTPs, guiding risk assessment and control strategies for such pathogens. Furthermore, they provide a theoretical basis for safeguarding the health of WWTP workers and ensuring regional ecological security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Wenwen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Xuezheng Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation at Universities of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, College of Energy and Power Engineering, Inner Mongolia University of Technology, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010051, PR China
| | - Zixuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation at Universities of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, College of Energy and Power Engineering, Inner Mongolia University of Technology, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010051, PR China
| | - Ziyu Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation at Universities of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, College of Energy and Power Engineering, Inner Mongolia University of Technology, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010051, PR China
| | - Yunping Han
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China.
| | - Lin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
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2
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Zhang X, Lu B, Chen G, Wang L, Lin B, Peng Z, Lu S, Li D, Chen J. Culturable and inhalable airborne bacteria in a semiunderground municipal wastewater treatment plant: Distribution, transmission, and health risk assessment. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 459:132234. [PMID: 37586239 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132234] [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: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Airborne pathogens constitute a growing threat to global public health. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are important sources of airborne bacteria, which pose great health risks to the employee and nearby residents. In this study, the distribution, transmission and health risk of the airborne culturable and inhalable bacteria carried by PM2.5 in a semiunderground WWTP were evaluated. The concentrations of culturable bacteria in the air were 21.2-1431.1 CFU/m3, with the main contributions of primary and biological treatments. The relative abundances of culturable and total inhalable bacterial taxa were positively correlated (p < 0.05). However, certain bacteria, including Bacillus, Acinetobacter and Enterococcus, exhibited high reproductive capacity despite their low concentration in the air, suggesting that they can survive and regrow in suitable environments. Transmission modeling revealed that the concentrations of airborne bacteria exponentially decreased with distance from 18.67 to 24.12 copies /m3 at the source to 0.06-0.14 copies /m3 at 1000 m downwind. The risks of 8-h exposure in this WWTP except the outlet exceeded the reference value recommended by WHO, which were primarily dependent on P. aeruginosa, Salmonella, and E. coli. Management practices should consider improved controls for bioaerosols in order to reduce the risk of disease transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention (LAP3), IRDR ICoE on Risk Interconnectivity and Governance on Weather/Climate Extremes Impact and Public Health, Fudan Tyndall Centre, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Bingjie Lu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention (LAP3), IRDR ICoE on Risk Interconnectivity and Governance on Weather/Climate Extremes Impact and Public Health, Fudan Tyndall Centre, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Guang Chen
- Shanghai Chengtou Sewage Treatment Co., LtD., Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Lihua Wang
- Shanghai Chengtou Sewage Treatment Co., LtD., Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Bingjie Lin
- Shanghai Chengtou Sewage Treatment Co., LtD., Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zhengliang Peng
- Shanghai Chengtou Sewage Treatment Co., LtD., Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Songliu Lu
- Shanghai Investigation, Design & Research Institute, Shanghai 200335, China
| | - Dan Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention (LAP3), IRDR ICoE on Risk Interconnectivity and Governance on Weather/Climate Extremes Impact and Public Health, Fudan Tyndall Centre, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.
| | - Jianmin Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention (LAP3), IRDR ICoE on Risk Interconnectivity and Governance on Weather/Climate Extremes Impact and Public Health, Fudan Tyndall Centre, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
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Ginn O, Lowry S, Brown J. A systematic review of enteric pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes in outdoor urban aerosols. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 212:113097. [PMID: 35339466 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Aerosol transport of enteric microbiota including fecal pathogens and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) has been documented in a range of settings but remains poorly understood outside indoor environments. We conducted a systematic review of the peer-reviewed literature to summarize evidence on specific enteric microbiota including enteric pathogens and ARGs that have been measured in aerosol samples in urban settings where the risks of outdoor exposure and antibiotic resistance (AR) spread may be highest. Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a key word search for articles published within the years 1990-2020 using relevant data sources. Two authors independently conducted the keyword searches of databases and conducted primary and secondary screenings before merging results. To be included, studies contained extractable data on enteric microbes and AR in outdoor aerosols regardless of source confirmation and reported on qualitative, quantitative, or viability data on enteric microbes or AR. Qualitative analyses and metric summaries revealed that enteric microbes and AR have been consistently reported in outdoor aerosols, generally via relative abundance measures, though gaps remain preventing full understanding of the role of the aeromicrobiological pathway in the fate and transport of enteric associated outdoor aerosols. We identified remaining gaps in the evidence base including a need for broad characterization of enteric pathogens in bioaerosols beyond bacterial genera, a need for greater sampling in locations of high enteric disease risk, and a need for quantitative estimation of microbial and nucleic acid densities that may be applied to fate and transport models and in quantitative microbial risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Ginn
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering & Earth Science, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA.
| | - Sarah Lowry
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Joe Brown
- Deparment of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, United States.
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Mbareche H, Dion-Dupont V, Veillette M, Brisebois E, Lavoie J, Duchaine C. Influence of seasons and sites on bioaerosols in indoor wastewater treatment plants and proposal for air quality indicators. JOURNAL OF THE AIR & WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (1995) 2022; 72:1000-1011. [PMID: 35426760 DOI: 10.1080/10962247.2022.2066735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
During wastewater treatment, bioaerosols are generated and, can either remain in suspension for several hours or settle on surfaces and workers may be exposed. The presence of pathogens in the air could contribute to an increased frequency of gastrointestinal or respiratory illness amongst workers. Due to harsh winter conditions in Eastern Canada, many of the steps in the wastewater treatment process occur indoors, leading to a greater risk of significant occupational exposure especially if there is inadequate ventilation or a lack of personal protection. This work has used stationary sampling at various indoor wastewater treatment steps both in winter and summer. Bioaerosols were evaluated using both culture and molecular methods along with ventilation characterization. Endotoxins were quantified, as well as total cultivable and gram-negative bacteria and pathogen indicators using qPCR. This study highlights the presence of potential pathogens at all steps in the treatment process, which may represent a potential occupational hazard. Comparisons between summer and winter data suggest that water temperature is an important factor for microbial activity and suggest that increasing the rate of air changes per hour in summer would be beneficial to reduce the concentration of bioaerosols during this time of the year. The screening, grit/FOGs removal and biofiltration were the most bioaerosol-loaded sites. Based on strong correlations, we suggest the reconsideration of exposure limits in WWTPs. Workers should be encouraged to use personal respiratory protection to limit the risk of health problems, especially during long-term work.Implications: The work presented herein showcases significant correlations between concentrations of endotoxins, cultivable bacteria, gram-negative bacteria, and total bacteria by qPCR from air collected in indoor wastewater treatment plants. These correlations lead us to propose new limit of exposure values, revisited to fit the endotoxin exposure limits recommendations. The results can serve as guidelines for future proposals for air quality indicators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamza Mbareche
- Biological Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON Canada
- Laboratory of Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, USA
| | - Vanessa Dion-Dupont
- Pavillon Alexandre Vachon, Université Laval, Québec, QC Canada
- Axe de pneumologie, CRIUCPQ, Québec, QC Canada
| | | | - Evelyne Brisebois
- Pavillon Alexandre Vachon, Université Laval, Québec, QC Canada
- Axe de pneumologie, CRIUCPQ, Québec, QC Canada
| | - Jacques Lavoie
- Prévention des risques chimiques et biologiques, IRSST, Montréal, QC Canada
| | - Caroline Duchaine
- Pavillon Alexandre Vachon, Université Laval, Québec, QC Canada
- Axe de pneumologie, CRIUCPQ, Québec, QC Canada
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5
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Rasuli L, Dehghani MH, Aghaei M, Mahvi AH, Mubarak NM, Karri RR. Occurrence and fate of bacterial endotoxins in the environment (air, water, wastewater) and remediation technologies: An overview. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 303:135089. [PMID: 35623438 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135089] [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: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
Endotoxins as the outer membrane of most Gram-Negative Bacteria (GNB) and typical toxic biochemical produced by microorganisms are identified as one of the emerging pollutants. These microbial by-products are harmful compounds that can be present in various environments including air, water, soil, and other ecosystems which was discussed in detail in this review. Environmental and occupational exposure caused by endotoxin occurs in water and wastewater treatment plants, industrial plants, farming, waste recovery, and composting facilities. Even though the health risk related to endotoxin injection in intravenous and dialysis are well identified, the harmful effects of ingestion, inhalation, and other way of exposure are not well quantified and there is insufficient information on the potential health risks of endotoxins exposure in water environments, and another exposures. Because of limited studies, the outbreaks of diseases related to endotoxins in the various source of exposure not been well documented. Endotoxin removal from different environments are investigated in this review. The results of various studies have shown that conventional treatment methods have been unable to remove endotoxins from water and wastewater, therefore, monitoring the effectiveness of these processes in controlling this contaminant and also using the appropriate removal method is essential. However, management of water and wastewater treatment processes and the use of advanced processes such as Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) can be effective in monitoring and reducing endotoxin levels during water and wastewater treatment. One of the limitations of endotoxin monitoring is the lack of sufficient information to develop monitoring levels. In addition, the lack of guidelinesand methods of controlling them at high levels may cause irreparable disaster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Rasuli
- Qazvin University of Medical Science, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hadi Dehghani
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Institute for Environmental Research, Center for Solid Waste Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mina Aghaei
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Hossein Mahvi
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Institute for Environmental Research, Center for Solid Waste Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nabisab Mujawar Mubarak
- Petroleum and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Brunei, Bandar Seri Begawan, BE1410, Brunei Darussalam
| | - Rama Rao Karri
- Petroleum and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Brunei, Bandar Seri Begawan, BE1410, Brunei Darussalam
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6
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Kataki S, Patowary R, Chatterjee S, Vairale MG, Sharma S, Dwivedi SK, Kamboj DV. Bioaerosolization and pathogen transmission in wastewater treatment plants: Microbial composition, emission rate, factors affecting and control measures. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 287:132180. [PMID: 34560498 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Environmental consequences during wastewater management are vital and getting increased attention to interrupt any possible disease transmission pathways. Evidence of bioaerosolization of pathogen from wastewater to atmosphere during wastewater treatment have been highlighted previously. Understanding aerosol-based transmission in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) is important because of the hazard it presents to the workers involved or to the population around and appears to be very significant during pandemic occurrences. This work aims to evaluate the possibility of pathogenic content of wastewater getting aerosolized during treatment by synthesizing the evidence on the potential aerosol generating treatment phases of WWTP, bioaerosol microbial composition, emission load and the factors affecting the bioaerosol formation. We also present some potential control strategies to take up in WWTP which may be useful to avoid such occurrences. Implementation of Aeration based strategies (use of diffused, submerged aeration, reduction in aeration rate), Improved ventilation based strategies (effective ventilation with adequate supply of clean air, minimizing air recirculation, supplementation with infection control measures such as filtration, irradiation), Improved protection based strategy (periodic monitoring of disinfection efficiency, pathogenic load of wastewater, improved operation policy) and other strategies (provision of buffer zone, wind shielding, water spraying on aerosol, screened surface of treatment units) could be very much relevant and significant in case of disease outbreak through aerosol formation in wastewater environment. Recent progress in sensor-based data collection, analysis, cloud-based storage, and early warning techniques in WWTP may help to reduce the risk of infectious transmission, especially during a pandemic situation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sampriti Kataki
- Biodegradation Technology Division, Defence Research Laboratory, DRDO, Tezpur, Assam, India
| | - Rupam Patowary
- Foundation for Environmental and Economic Development Services, Manipur, India
| | - Soumya Chatterjee
- Biodegradation Technology Division, Defence Research Laboratory, DRDO, Tezpur, Assam, India.
| | - Mohan G Vairale
- Biodegradation Technology Division, Defence Research Laboratory, DRDO, Tezpur, Assam, India
| | - Sonika Sharma
- Biodegradation Technology Division, Defence Research Laboratory, DRDO, Tezpur, Assam, India
| | - Sanjai K Dwivedi
- Biodegradation Technology Division, Defence Research Laboratory, DRDO, Tezpur, Assam, India
| | - Dev Vrat Kamboj
- Biodegradation Technology Division, Defence Research Laboratory, DRDO, Tezpur, Assam, India
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Ginn O, Rocha-Melogno L, Bivins A, Lowry S, Cardelino M, Nichols D, Tripathi SN, Soria F, Andrade M, Bergin M, Deshusses MA, Brown J. Detection and Quantification of Enteric Pathogens in Aerosols Near Open Wastewater Canals in Cities with Poor Sanitation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:14758-14771. [PMID: 34669386 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c05060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Urban sanitation infrastructure is inadequate in many low-income countries, leading to the presence of highly concentrated, uncontained fecal waste streams in densely populated areas. Combined with mechanisms of aerosolization, airborne transport of enteric microbes and their genetic material is possible in such settings but remains poorly characterized. We detected and quantified enteric pathogen-associated gene targets in aerosol samples near open wastewater canals (OWCs) or impacted (receiving sewage or wastewater) surface waters and control sites in La Paz, Bolivia; Kanpur, India; and Atlanta, USA, via multiplex reverse-transcription qPCR (37 targets) and ddPCR (13 targets). We detected a wide range of enteric targets, some not previously reported in extramural urban aerosols, with more frequent detections of all enteric targets at higher densities in La Paz and Kanpur near OWCs. We report density estimates ranging up to 4.7 × 102 gc per mair3 across all targets including heat-stable enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, Campylobacter jejuni, enteroinvasive E. coli/Shigella spp., Salmonella spp., norovirus, and Cryptosporidium spp. Estimated 25, 76, and 0% of samples containing positive pathogen detects were accompanied by culturable E. coli in La Paz, Kanpur, and Atlanta, respectively, suggesting potential for viability of enteric microbes at the point of sampling. Airborne transmission of enteric pathogens merits further investigation in cities with poor sanitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Ginn
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Science, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46656, United States
| | - Lucas Rocha-Melogno
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
- ICF, 2635 Meridian Parkway Suite 200, Durham, North Carolina 27713, United States
| | - Aaron Bivins
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Science, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46656, United States
| | - Sarah Lowry
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Maria Cardelino
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Dennis Nichols
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Sachchida Nand Tripathi
- Department of Civil Engineering & Centre for Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology - Kalyanpur, Kanpur 208016, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Freddy Soria
- Centro de Investigación en Agua, Energía y Sostenibilidad, Universidad Católica Boliviana "San Pablo", La Paz 4807, Bolivia
| | - Marcos Andrade
- Laboratory for Atmospheric Physics, Institute for Physics Research, Universidad Mayor de San Andres, La Paz 1995, Bolivia
- Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Mike Bergin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Marc A Deshusses
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Joe Brown
- Deparment of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
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Atmospheric dispersion and transmission of Legionella from wastewater treatment plants: A 6-year case-control study. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2021; 237:113811. [PMID: 34311418 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Legionnaires Disease incidence has risen in the Netherlands in recent years. For the majority of the cases, the source of infection is never identified. Two Dutch wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have previously been identified as source of outbreaks of Legionnaires Disease (LD) among local residents. The objective of this study is to examine if LD patients in the Netherlands are more exposed to aerosols originating from WWTPs than controls. METHODS An atmospheric dispersion model was used to generate nationwide exposure maps of aerosols from 776 WWTPs in the Netherlands. Municipal sewage treatment plants and industrial WWTPs were both included. Exposure of LD cases and controls at the residential address was compared, in a matched case-control design using a conditional logistic regression. Cases were notified LD cases with onset of disease in the period 2013-2018 in the Netherlands (n = 1604). RESULTS Aerosols dispersed over a large part of the Netherlands, but modelled concentrations are estimated to be elevated in close proximity to WWTPs. A statistically significant association was found between LD and the calculated annual average aerosol concentrations originating from WWTPs (odds-ratio: 1.32 (1.06-1.63)). This association remained significant when the two outbreak-related WWTPs were removed from the analysis (odds-ratio: 1.28 (1.03-1.58)). CONCLUSION LD cases were more exposed to aerosols from WWTPs than controls. This indicates that exposure to aerosols dispersed from WWTPs caused Legionnaires Disease in residents living near WWTPs in the period 2013-2018. In order to investigate which characteristics of WWTPs are associated with an increased LD risk, the WWTP database should be updated and more data is needed on the presence and survival of aerosolized Legionella bacteria to improve the Legionella dispersion modelling. Furthermore, it is recommended to further investigate how aerosol dispersion of WWTPs can effectively be reduced in order to reduce the potential health risk.
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Yuan X, Li G, Yang W, Li D. Distribution characteristics of microbial community structure in atmospheric particulates of the typical industrial city in Jiangsu province, China. Bioengineered 2021; 12:615-626. [PMID: 33565903 PMCID: PMC8806265 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.1885223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, Xuzhou, a typical industrial city in the north of Jiangsu Province, was chosen to investigate the pollution level of atmospheric particulates. The proportion of fine particles (PM2.5) in PM10 is larger than that of coarse particles (about 58%). The physicochemical properties of PM2.5 were analyzed by SEM and EDS. DGGE was used to study the distribution characteristics of bacterial community structure on atmospheric particulates (TSP, PM2.5 and PM10) in different functional areas of Xuzhou city during the winter haze. It was found that the microbial populations of atmospheric particles were mainly divided into three groups: Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Pachytenella. The community structure of bacteria in fine particle size was more abundant than that in coarse particle size. When haze occurs, the concentration of all kinds of pathogens in fine particle size will increase. Therefore, it is necessary to focus on the monitoring and management of fine particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingcheng Yuan
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Green Synthetic Chemistry for Functional Materials, Jiangsu Normal University , Xuzhou, P.R. China
| | - Guangchao Li
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Green Synthetic Chemistry for Functional Materials, Jiangsu Normal University , Xuzhou, P.R. China
| | - Weihua Yang
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Green Synthetic Chemistry for Functional Materials, Jiangsu Normal University , Xuzhou, P.R. China
| | - Dan Li
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Green Synthetic Chemistry for Functional Materials, Jiangsu Normal University , Xuzhou, P.R. China
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10
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Yan C, Gui ZC, Wu JT. Quantitative microbial risk assessment of bioaerosols in a wastewater treatment plant by using two aeration modes. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:8140-8150. [PMID: 33051848 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-11180-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Nonnegligible emission of bioaerosols usually occurs during aeration of wastewater in aerator tanks in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Literature had shown that the respiratory and intestinal diseases of workers at WWTPs are related to bioaerosols. Thus, quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) based on Monte Carlo simulation was utilized in this research to assess the health risks of Gram-negative bacteria bioaerosol (GNBB) and Staphylococcus aureus bioaerosol (SAB) among academic visitors and staffs. Results showed that the concentrations of GNBB and SAB in the inverted umbrella aeration mode were consistently higher than those in the microporous aeration mode under all six size distribution ranges of the Anderson six-stage impactor. Thus, GNBB and SAB can be highly threatening to the weasand and first bronchus (or alveoli and third bronchus) for the exposure populations. The health risks (annual probability of infection (Py) and disease burden (DB)) of males were constantly higher than those of females for each certain exposure scenario. The health risks of staffs were higher than those of academic visitors when assessed by Monte Carlo simulation. The wearing of mask is an effective measure to minimize health risks through reducing the bioaerosol concentration intake. Especially, for the academic visitors and staffs exposed to GNBB, all their DB failed to meet the World Health Organization DB benchmark under various credible intervals when they were without a mask on. In a word, the results of health risk assessment in this research can be utilized as an educational tool and policy basis to facilitate the implementation of efficacious prevention measures to protect the public health from bioaerosol health threats in WWTPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Yan
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, 388 Lumo Road, Wuhan, 430074, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zi-Cheng Gui
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, 388 Lumo Road, Wuhan, 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun-Ting Wu
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, 388 Lumo Road, Wuhan, 430074, People's Republic of China
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11
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Li P, Li L, Wang Y, Zheng T, Liu J. Characterization, factors, and UV reduction of airborne bacteria in a rural wastewater treatment station. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 751:141811. [PMID: 32882567 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141811] [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: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Bioaerosols containing pathogens released from wastewater will pose potential health risks to workers on site. The emission of airborne bacteria from a rural wastewater treatment station and their inactivation by ultraviolet were investigated in this study. High-throughput sequencing technique was utilized to assay airborne bacterial population while the health risks associated with airborne bacteria exposure were estimated based on average daily dose rates. The recorded emission level of airborne bacteria in the air surrounding the multi-point inlet contact oxidation bioreactor (MTB) was 4795 ± 1475 CFU/m3, containing 2233 ± 471 CFU/m3 of intestinal bacteria, and most of them (70.3%) was coarse particles with size over 2.1 μm. Wind disturbance had significant effects on the diffusion and particle size distribution of the bioaerosols emitted from MTB. The identified opportunistic pathogens in bioaerosols were Enterobacter sp., Acinetobacter sp., Pantoea sp., Achromobacter sp., and Curtobacterium sp. They were originated in the water and active sludge in MTB. Inhalation was one of the main ways through which onsite workers were exposed to airborne bacteria. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation caused an apparent decrease in the level of bioaerosols in the air, thereby indicating that it can be utilized as an effective method for the reducing of bioaerosols. This study aims to provide preliminary data for the bioaerosols control in rural wastewater treatment process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengyu Li
- 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.
| | - Lin Li
- 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; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Material & Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China.
| | - Yanjie Wang
- School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA14YQ, UK.
| | - Tianlong Zheng
- 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.
| | - Junxin Liu
- 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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Mishra R, Krishnamoorthy P, Gangamma S, Raut AA, Kumar H. Particulate matter (PM 10) enhances RNA virus infection through modulation of innate immune responses. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 266:115148. [PMID: 32771845 PMCID: PMC7357538 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2020] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Sensing of pathogens by specialized receptors is the hallmark of the innate immunity. Innate immune response also mounts a defense response against various allergens and pollutants including particulate matter present in the atmosphere. Air pollution has been included as the top threat to global health declared by WHO which aims to cover more than three billion people against health emergencies from 2019 to 2023. Particulate matter (PM), one of the major components of air pollution, is a significant risk factor for many human diseases and its adverse effects include morbidity and premature deaths throughout the world. Several clinical and epidemiological studies have identified a key link between the PM existence and the prevalence of respiratory and inflammatory disorders. However, the underlying molecular mechanism is not well understood. Here, we investigated the influence of air pollutant, PM10 (particles with aerodynamic diameter less than 10 μm) during RNA virus infections using Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) - H5N1 virus. We thus characterized the transcriptomic profile of lung epithelial cell line, A549 treated with PM10 prior to H5N1infection, which is known to cause severe lung damage and respiratory disease. We found that PM10 enhances vulnerability (by cellular damage) and regulates virus infectivity to enhance overall pathogenic burden in the lung cells. Additionally, the transcriptomic profile highlights the connection of host factors related to various metabolic pathways and immune responses which were dysregulated during virus infection. Collectively, our findings suggest a strong link between the prevalence of respiratory illness and its association with the air quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richa Mishra
- Laboratory of Immunology and Infectious Disease Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, Bhopal, 462066, MP, India
| | - Pandikannan Krishnamoorthy
- Laboratory of Immunology and Infectious Disease Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, Bhopal, 462066, MP, India
| | - S Gangamma
- National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), Surathkal, Mangaluru, 575025, Karnataka, India; Centre for Water Food and Environment, IIT Ropar, Rupnagar, 140001, Punjab, India
| | - Ashwin Ashok Raut
- Pathogenomics Laboratory, ICAR - National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), OIE Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza, Bhopal, 462021, MP, India
| | - Himanshu Kumar
- Laboratory of Immunology and Infectious Disease Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, Bhopal, 462066, MP, India; WPI Immunology, Frontier Research Centre, Osaka University, Osaka, 5650871, Japan.
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13
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Xu P, Zhang C, Mou X, Wang XC. Bioaerosol in a typical municipal wastewater treatment plant: concentration, size distribution, and health risk assessment. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2020; 82:1547-1559. [PMID: 33107849 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2020.416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
An investigation on bioaerosol in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) located in Xi'an, China, was conducted to understand the characteristics of bioaerosol released from wastewater and sludge treatment facilities because the bioaerosols may pose a threat to human health. Using the Andersen impactor sampler collection and colony-counting method, bioaerosol concentrations and size distributions were detected. The risk quotient method was used to evaluate the health risks associated with inhalation of bioaerosol for WWTP staff, based on the average daily dose rates of exposure. The health risk in relation to Legionella pneumophila was quantitatively calculated using quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA), based on the assumption of the percentage. The maximum concentration of airborne bacteria (3,767 ± 280 colony forming units (CFU)/m3) and fungi (8,775 ± 406 CFU/m3) occurred from the aerated grit chamber and sludge thickening house, respectively, which all exceeded 500 CFU/m3 as the acceptable guideline proposed by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. The particle size of airborne bacteria was mainly distributed in the first three stages (>3.3 µm), while that of airborne fungi was from the second to the fourth stage (2.1-7.0 µm). The hazard index exposure to bioaerosol for adult males and females by inhalation were higher than 1. The proportion of L. pneumophila should be strictly controlled below 10-8, based on the QMRA approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengcheng Xu
- International Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Urban Alternative Water Resources Development; Key Lab of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education; Engineering Technology Research Center for Wastewater Treatment and Reuse, Shaanxi Province; Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China E-mail:
| | - Chongmiao Zhang
- International Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Urban Alternative Water Resources Development; Key Lab of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education; Engineering Technology Research Center for Wastewater Treatment and Reuse, Shaanxi Province; Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China E-mail:
| | - Xiao Mou
- Shaanxi Institute for Food and Drug Control, Xi'an 710065, China
| | - Xiaochang C Wang
- International Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Urban Alternative Water Resources Development; Key Lab of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education; Engineering Technology Research Center for Wastewater Treatment and Reuse, Shaanxi Province; Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China E-mail:
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Roy R, Jan R, Joshi U, Bhor R, Pai K, Satsangi PG. Characterization, pro-inflammatory response and cytotoxic profile of bioaerosols from urban and rural residential settings in Pune, India. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 264:114698. [PMID: 32387676 PMCID: PMC7190302 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Microbiota associated with airborne particulate matter (PM) is an important indicator of indoor pollution as they can be pathogenic and cause serious health threats to the exposed occupants. Present study aimed to investigate the level of culturable microbes associated with PM and their toxicological characterization in urban and rural houses of Pune city. Highest concentration of bacterial aerosols observed to be associated with PM10 size fraction in urban site (2136 ± 285 CFU/m3) whereas maximum fungal concentration has been measured in rural houses (1521 ± 302 CFU/m3). Predominantly found bacterial species were Bacillus sp., S. aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and fungal species were Aspergillus sp., Cladosporium sp., and Penicillium sp. in both urban and rural residential premises. Concentration of endotoxin measured using the kinetic Limulus Amebocyte Lysate assay exhibited that the level of endotoxin in both urban and rural sites are associated with household characteristics and the activities performed in indoor as well as outdoor. Cell free DTT assay confirmed the ability of these airborne microbes to induce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) varying along with the types of microorganisms. On exposure of A549 cells to airborne microbes, a significant decrease in cell viability was observed in terms of both necrosis and apoptosis pathway. Elevated production of nitric oxide (NO) and proinflammatory cytokines in epithelial cells and macrophages clearly suggest the inflammatory nature of these airborne microbes. Results derived from the present study demonstrated that the indoor air of urban and rural houses of Pune is contaminated in terms of microbial load. Therefore, attention should be paid to control the factors favoring the microbial growth in order to safeguard the health of exposed inhabitants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritwika Roy
- Department of Chemistry, Savitribai Phule Pune University (Formerly University of Pune), Pune, 411007, India
| | - Rohi Jan
- Department of Chemistry, Savitribai Phule Pune University (Formerly University of Pune), Pune, 411007, India
| | - Uttara Joshi
- Department of Chemistry, Savitribai Phule Pune University (Formerly University of Pune), Pune, 411007, India
| | - Renuka Bhor
- Department of Zoology, Savitribai Phule Pune University (Formerly University of Pune), Pune, 411007, India
| | - Kalpana Pai
- Department of Zoology, Savitribai Phule Pune University (Formerly University of Pune), Pune, 411007, India
| | - P Gursumeeran Satsangi
- Department of Chemistry, Savitribai Phule Pune University (Formerly University of Pune), Pune, 411007, India.
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15
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Han Y, Yang T, Xu G, Li L, Liu J. Characteristics and interactions of bioaerosol microorganisms from wastewater treatment plants. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2020; 391:122256. [PMID: 32062341 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.122256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Bacteria and fungi are abundant and ubiquitous in bioaerosols from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). However, the specificity and interactions of bioaerosol microorganism, particularly of potential pathogens, from WWTPs are still poorly understood. In this study, we investigated 9 full-scale WWTPs in different areas of China for 3 years, and found microbial variations in bioaerosols to be associated with regions, seasons, and processes. Relative humidity, total suspended particulates, wind speed, temperature, total organic carbon, NH4+, Cl- and Ca2+ were the major factors influencing this variation, and meteorological factors were more strongly associated with the variation than chemical composition. In total, 95 and 22 potential bacterial and fungal pathogens were detected in bioaerosols, respectively. The linear discriminant analysis effect size method suggested that Serratia, Yersinia, Klebsiella, and Bacillus were discriminative genera in bioaerosols on the whole, and were also hub niches in the interactions within potential bacterial pathogens, based on network analysis. Strong co-occurrences such as Serratia-Bacillus and Staphylococcus-Candida, and co-exclusions such as Rhodotorula-Cladosporium and Pseudomonas-Candida, were found within and between potential bacterial and fungal pathogens in bioaerosols from WWTPs. This study furthers understanding of the biology and ecology of bioaerosols from WWTPs, and offers a theoretical basis for determining bioaerosol control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunping Han
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, PR China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Material & Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, PR China.
| | - Tang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, PR China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Material & Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, PR China.
| | - Guangsu Xu
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Ludong University, Yantai 264025, PR China.
| | - Lin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, PR China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Material & Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, PR China.
| | - Junxin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, PR China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Material & Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, PR China.
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16
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Han Y, Yang T, Yan X, Li L, Liu J. Effect of aeration mode on aerosol characteristics from the same wastewater treatment plant. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 170:115324. [PMID: 31770649 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2019.115324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Aeration and mechanical agitation are the main drivers of aerosol generation in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). However, the effect of aeration mode on aerosol characteristics remains poorly understood. In this study, horizontal rotor aeration and fine bubble aeration in the same WWTP were selected to identify the effect on the emission, size distribution, microbial and chemical composition. For bacteria, fungi, Enterobacteriaceae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in aerosols, the horizontal rotor aeration had higher contributions to the emissions than the fine bubble aeration. Horizontal rotor aeration generated a more coarse fraction (size > 7 μm) and a comparable respirable fraction (RF; size < 3.3 μm) compared with those of fine bubble aeration. More types of potential pathogens were generated by horizontal rotor aeration. The most easily aerosolized genera generated by horizontal rotor aeration and fine bubble aeration, were Trichosporon and Mycobacterium, with the aerosolization factors of 633.70 and 192.56, respectively. For Cl-, SO42-, NO3-, Zn, Ba, Cd, Sc, V, Rb, Ca, K, Ca, K, Mg, Na and Si in the aerosols, the contributions of fine bubble aeration were higher than those of horizontal rotor aeration. Due to the aerosol specialty from the different aeration modes, targeted manipulations should be employed to reduce the exposure risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunping Han
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, PR China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Material & Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, PR China.
| | - Tang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, PR China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Material & Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, PR China.
| | - Xu Yan
- School of Environment, Key Laboratory for Yellow River and Huai River Water Environment and Pollution Control, Ministry of Education, Henan Key Laboratory for Environmental Pollution Control, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453007, PR China.
| | - Lin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, PR China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Material & Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, PR China.
| | - Junxin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, PR China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Material & Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, PR China.
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17
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Yang T, Han Y, Zhang M, Xue S, Li L, Liu J, Qiu Z. Characteristics and exposure risks of potential pathogens and toxic metal(loid)s in aerosols from wastewater treatment plants. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2019; 183:109543. [PMID: 31400722 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.109543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Aerosols from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are considered to be potentially hazardous to on-site employees and surrounding residents. However, their harmful components and their effects remain poorly understood. In this study, the characteristics, responsible factors, sources and exposure risks of potential pathogens and toxic metal(loid)s in aerosols from four WWTPs were investigated. There were 21 potential pathogens and 15 toxic metal(loid)s detected in the aerosols. Arcobacter and Fe were the dominant taxa responsible for the dissimilarity of the potential pathogen population and toxic metal(loid) composition between the aerosols and the wastewater/sludge, respectively. Both meteorological factors and sources affected pathogen and toxic metal(loid) composition. The potential pathogens and toxic metal(loid)s in indoor aerosols mainly originated from wastewater/sludge, while those in outdoor aerosols originated from wastewater/sludge and ambient air. The highest respirable fraction (<3.30 μm) concentrations and proportions were detected at the aeration units. Non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks of toxic metal(loid)s for both adults and children were found within and/or around WWTPs, and non-carcinogenic risks of bacteria for children were found at downwind, suggesting the need for active safeguard procedures, such as that employees wear masks and work clothes, covering the main emission sites, and collecting and destroying of aerosols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, PR China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Material & Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, PR China.
| | - Yunping Han
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, PR China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Material & Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, PR China.
| | - Mengzhu Zhang
- Beijing Mechanical-Biological Treatment Engineer Co., Ltd., Beijing, 100086, PR China.
| | - Song Xue
- Fujian Provincial Colleges and University Engineering Research Center of Solid Waste Resource Utilization, Longyan University, Longyan, 364012, PR China.
| | - Lin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, PR China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Material & Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, PR China.
| | - Junxin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, PR China.
| | - Zhongping Qiu
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 611756, PR China.
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18
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Zhang C, Tian F, Zhang M, Zhang Z, Bai M, Guo G, Zheng W, Wang Q, Shi Y, Wang L. Endotoxin contamination, a potentially important inflammation factor in water and wastewater: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 681:365-378. [PMID: 31108357 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.05.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Revised: 04/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Endotoxins, also referred to as lipopolysaccharides or pyrogens, are major components embedded in the outer cell wall membrane of most Gram-negative bacteria and some cyanobacteria. As common pyrogens and strong immune stimulators, health hazards associated with endotoxins in water and wastewater have been attracting attention in recent years. In this paper, the characteristics, existing forms, and detection assays of endotoxins in water and wastewater are reviewed. Cellular response and pathophysiological effects, and main exposure tracts of endotoxins in water and wastewater are discussed. Levels of endotoxin contamination in water, wastewater, and their aerosols are presented. The removal effects of different water and wastewater treatment processes are summarized. Hence, it is important to: (i) Improve investigations into endotoxin contamination in water and wastewater in order to identify their source, occurrence, and fate. (ii) Implement water and wastewater treatment processes capable of ensuring low levels of endotoxins. This review aims to identify efficient water and wastewater treatment processes capable of ensuring the production of WTPs and WWTPs effluents with a low level of endotoxin activity, and to guarantee the reduction of endotoxin exposure risks to the consumers of water and wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Can Zhang
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Chinese PLA, Beijing 100071, China.
| | - Fang Tian
- School of Environmental Engineering, Nanjing Institute of Technology, Nanjing 211167, China
| | - Minglu Zhang
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Zhiqing Zhang
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China
| | - Miao Bai
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Chinese PLA, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Guang Guo
- School of Environmental Engineering, Nanjing Institute of Technology, Nanjing 211167, China
| | - Wenjie Zheng
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Animal and Plant Resistance, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, 300387, China
| | - Qiang Wang
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Chinese PLA, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Yun Shi
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Chinese PLA, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Lili Wang
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Chinese PLA, Beijing 100071, China
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Yang T, Han Y, Liu J, Li L. Aerosols from a wastewater treatment plant using oxidation ditch process: Characteristics, source apportionment, and exposure risks. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 250:627-638. [PMID: 31035145 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.04.071] [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: 11/20/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/14/2019] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The study of aerosol dispersion characteristics in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) has attracted extensive attention. Oxidation ditch (OD) is a commonly implemented process during biological wastewater treatment. This study assessed the component characteristics, source apportionment, and exposure risks of aerosols generated from a WWTP using the OD process (AWO). The results indicated that the aeration part of oxidation ditch (ODA) exhibited the highest concentrations and proportions of the respiratory fractions (RF) of bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Some pathogenic or opportunistic-pathogenic bacteria and carcinogenic metal(loid)s were detected in the AWO. The source apportionment results indicated that the outdoor wastewater treatment processes and ambient air contributed to the constitution of the AWO. The indoor aerosols were mainly constituted by composition of the wastewater treatment process such as the sludge dewatering room (SDR). The pathogenic or opportunistic-pathogenic bacteria with eight genera (Colinsella, Dermatophilus, Enterobactor, Erycherichia-Shigella, Ledionella, Selenomonas, Xanthobacter, and Veillonella) were largely attributed to wastewater or sludge. The risk assessment suggested that inhalation was the main exposure pathway for aerosols (including bacteria and metal(loid)s). Additionally, As indicated the highest non-carcinogenic risks. Furthermore, As, Cd, and Co were associated with high carcinogenic risks. The ODA and sludge dewatering room (SDR) indicated the highest carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks of metal(loid)s, respectively. Thus, the AWO should be sufficiently researched and monitored to mitigate their harmful effects on human health, particularly with regard to the health of the site workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, PR China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Material & Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, PR China.
| | - Yunping Han
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, PR China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Material & Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, PR China.
| | - Junxin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, PR China.
| | - Lin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, PR China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Material & Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, PR China.
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20
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Yang K, Li L, Wang Y, Xue S, Han Y, Liu J. Airborne bacteria in a wastewater treatment plant: Emission characterization, source analysis and health risk assessment. WATER RESEARCH 2019; 149:596-606. [PMID: 30522052 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.11.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/11/2018] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are major sources of airborne bacteria, which could pose health risks to WWTP workers and surrounding residents. In this study, air samples were collected from various treatment facilities of a typical WWTP. Community compositions of airborne bacteria were identified by high-throughput sequencing technique. SourceTracker was used to determine the percentages of airborne bacteria from wastewater, sludge, ambient air, and other environment. Health risks associated with airborne bacteria were estimated based on the average daily dose rates (ADD) of exposure by inhalation and skin contact. Concentrations of airborne bacteria varied in a wide range of 23-4878 CFU/m3. The main emission sources of airborne bacteria were treatment facilities with aeration, mechanical agitation, and located indoors. For treatment facilities located indoors, higher percentages of airborne bacteria were associated with wastewater and sludge, while more airborne bacteria were originated from the ambient air for outdoor installations. Opportunistic pathogens such as Micrococcus, Bacteroides, Chryseobacterium, Pseudomonas, and Acinetobacter, were detected in airborne bacteria. Inhalation was the main pathway for on-site workers exposure to airborne bacteria. Due to the presence of opportunistic pathogens, strict control measures should be employed in WWTPs to reduce the infection risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaixiong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Material & Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China.
| | - Lin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Material & Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China.
| | - Yanjie Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Material & Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China.
| | - Song Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Material & Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China.
| | - Yunping Han
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Material & Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China.
| | - Junxin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Material & Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China.
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Dueker ME, French S, O'Mullan GD. Comparison of Bacterial Diversity in Air and Water of a Major Urban Center. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2868. [PMID: 30555433 PMCID: PMC6282627 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The interaction of wind with aquatic and terrestrial surfaces is known to control the creation of microbial aerosols allowing for their entrainment into air masses that can be transported regionally and globally. Near surface interactions between urban waterways and urban air are understudied but some level of interaction among these bacterial communities would be expected and may be relevant to understanding both urban air and water quality. To address this gap related to patterns of local air-water microbial exchange, we utilized next-generation sequencing of 16S rRNA genes from paired air and water samples collected from 3 urban waterfront sites and evaluated their relative bacterial diversity. Aerosol samples at all sites were significantly more diverse than water samples. Only 17–22% of each site’s bacterial aerosol OTUs were present at every site. These shared aerosol OTUs included taxa associated with terrestrial systems (e.g., Bacillus), aquatic systems (e.g., Planktomarina) and sewage (e.g., Enterococcus). In fact, sewage-associated genera were detected in both aerosol and water samples, (e.g., Bifidobacterium, Blautia, and Faecalibacterium), demonstrating the widespread influence of similar pollution sources across these urban environments. However, the majority (50–61%) of the aerosol OTUs at each site were unique to that site, suggesting that local sources are an important influence on bioaerosols. According to indicator species analysis, each site’s aerosols harbored the highest percentage of bacterial OTUs statistically determined to uniquely represent that site’s aquatic bacterial community, further demonstrating a local connection between water quality and air quality in the urban environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Elias Dueker
- Biology and Environmental & Urban Studies Programs, Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY, United States.,Bard Center for the Study of Land, Air, and Water, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY, United States.,Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY, United States
| | - Shaya French
- Biology and Environmental & Urban Studies Programs, Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY, United States
| | - Gregory D O'Mullan
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Queens College, City University of New York, New York City, NY, United States
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22
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Sources of Airborne Endotoxins in Ambient Air and Exposure of Nearby Communities—A Review. ATMOSPHERE 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos9100375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Endotoxin is a bioaerosol component that is known to cause respiratory effects in exposed populations. To date, most research focused on occupational exposure, whilst much less is known about the impact of emissions from industrial operations on downwind endotoxin concentrations. A review of the literature was undertaken, identifying studies that reported endotoxin concentrations in both ambient environments and around sources with high endotoxin emissions. Ambient endotoxin concentrations in both rural and urban areas are generally below 10 endotoxin units (EU) m−3; however, around significant sources such as compost facilities, farms, and wastewater treatment plants, endotoxin concentrations regularly exceeded 100 EU m−3. However, this is affected by a range of factors including sampling approach, equipment, and duration. Reported downwind measurements of endotoxin demonstrate that endotoxin concentrations can remain above upwind concentrations. The evaluation of reported data is complicated due to a wide range of different parameters including sampling approaches, temperature, and site activity, demonstrating the need for a standardised methodology and improved guidance. Thorough characterisation of ambient endotoxin levels and modelling of endotoxin from pollution sources is needed to help inform future policy and support a robust health-based risk assessment process.
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He X, Ding L, Su W, Ma H, Huang H, Wang Y, Ren H. Distribution of endotoxins in full scale pharmaceutical wastewater treatment plants and its relationship with microbial community structure. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2018; 77:2397-2406. [PMID: 29893728 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2018.162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Endotoxins are potential toxics impacting human health through respiration derived in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), yet the formation of endotoxins during wastewater treatment processes is still lacking research. In our study, the distribution of endotoxins and bacterial community structure in the wastewater of three full scale pharmaceutical WWTPs were explored using the limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) test and MiSeq technique. Results showed that higher endotoxin activities in the influent of Plant A and Plant C (560 and 1140 EU/mL), stemming from the fermentation process, were found compared to that of Plant B (135 EU/mL), coming from the process of chemical synthesis. During the anaerobic treatment and the cyclic activated sludge system (CASS) in the three WWTPs, the endotoxin activity increased, while it declined in the aerobic treatment system. In all bioreactors, the relative abundance of Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 50.0-94.6%. Bacteria with high lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in LAL assay were found at the genus level of Bacteroides, Enterococcus, Desulfovibrio, and Megasphaera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemeng He
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Lili Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Wenbo Su
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Haijun Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Hui Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yanru Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Hongqiang Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
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24
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Liu H, Zhang X, Zhang H, Yao X, Zhou M, Wang J, He Z, Zhang H, Lou L, Mao W, Zheng P, Hu B. Effect of air pollution on the total bacteria and pathogenic bacteria in different sizes of particulate matter. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 233:483-493. [PMID: 29101891 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.10.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2017] [Revised: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, air pollution events have occurred frequently in China during the winter. Most studies have focused on the physical and chemical composition of polluted air. Some studies have examined the bacterial bioaerosols both indoors and outdoors. But few studies have focused on the relationship between air pollution and bacteria, especially pathogenic bacteria. Airborne PM samples with different diameters and different air quality index values were collected in Hangzhou, China from December 2014 to January 2015. High-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA was used to categorize the airborne bacteria. Based on the NCBI database, the "Human Pathogen Database" was established, which is related to human health. Among all the PM samples, the diversity and concentration of total bacteria were lowest in the moderately or heavily polluted air. However, in the PM2.5 and PM10 samples, the relative abundances of pathogenic bacteria were highest in the heavily and moderately polluted air respectively. Considering the PM samples with different particle sizes, the diversities of total bacteria and the proportion of pathogenic bacteria in the PM10 samples were different from those in the PM2.5 and TSP samples. The composition of PM samples with different sizes range may be responsible for the variances. The relative humidity, carbon monoxide and ozone concentrations were the main factors, which affected the diversity of total bacteria and the proportion of pathogenic bacteria. Among the different environmental samples, the compositions of the total bacteria were very similar in all the airborne PM samples, but different from those in the water, surface soil, and ground dust samples. Which may be attributed to that the long-distance transport of the airflow may influence the composition of the airborne bacteria. This study of the pathogenic bacteria in airborne PM samples can provide a reference for environmental and public health researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Liu
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Xiangwu Yao
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Meng Zhou
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Jiaqi Wang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Zhanfei He
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Huihui Zhang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Liping Lou
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Weihua Mao
- The Center of Analysis and Measurement, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Ping Zheng
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Baolan Hu
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China; Research Center for Air Pollution and Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
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25
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Onshore Wind Speed Modulates Microbial Aerosols along an Urban Waterfront. ATMOSPHERE 2017. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos8110215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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26
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Agarwal S. Seasonal variability in size-segregated airborne bacterial particles and their characterization at different source-sites. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 24:13519-13527. [PMID: 28390023 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-8705-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2016] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Size-segregated aerosol samplings were carried out near the potential sources of airborne biological particles i.e. at a landfill site, an agricultural field and a road side restaurant-cluster site in winter, spring and summer seasons during 2013-2015 in New Delhi. The culturable airborne bacterial (CAB) concentrations showed significant seasonal variation from higher to moderate in spring and winter seasons and lowest during summer. Highest CAB concentrations were observed at the Okhla landfill site followed by restaurant-cluster area and agriculture site. The CAB particles showed bimodal size distribution, abundant in the size ranges of 1.1-2.1, 2.1-3.3 and 4.7-5.8 μm. However, substantial concentrations were also observed in the size bins of 0.43-0.65 and <0.43 μm, which are important for cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) activity of aerosols in addition to their adverse health effects. In spring, bacterial particles were also maximized in size ranges between 5.8 and >9.0 μm. Fine mode proportions of CAB were found to be higher in winter than other two seasons. Bacterial identification was done by 16s rDNA sequencing, and most abundant identified strains were Bacillus cereus (16%), Bacillus licheniformis (11%), Bacillus thuringiensis (9%), Micrococcus sp. (7%) and Acinetobacter sp. (9%).
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Affiliation(s)
- Smita Agarwal
- CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Delhi Zonal Center, New Delhi, 110028, India.
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27
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Pahari AK, Dasgupta D, Patil RS, Mukherji S. Emission of bacterial bioaerosols from a composting facility in Maharashtra, India. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2016; 53:22-31. [PMID: 27155946 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2016.04.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Revised: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
This study was undertaken to quantify and characterize size-segregated bacterial bioaerosols both on-site and off-site of a waste treatment facility (WTF) in Maharashtra employing windrow composting. Viable bacterial bioaerosols on nutrient agar (NA) and actinomycetes isolation agar (AIA) were quantified after sampling using Anderson-six stage impactor. Viable bacterial bioaerosols were identified based on 16S rDNA sequencing. Approximately, 16-34% of the total viable bacteria collected at the WTF were in the size range 0.65-2.1μm that can penetrate deep into the respiratory tract and also represents bacteria present in free form. Thus, 66-84% of bacterial bioaerosols were associated with coarse airborne particles greater than 2.1μm. A total of 24 bacterial species were isolated and characterized through gram staining. Among these 25% were gram negative and 75% were gram positive. The predominant bacterial genera were Bacillus, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Acinetobacter and Kocuria. The mean on-site concentration of total viable bacteria on NA and AIA and airborne particles (PM2.5 and PM10) were higher than the corresponding off-site values. The mean on-site concentration of viable bacteria on NA and AIA were in the range of 3.8×10(3) to 5.4×10(4)CFU/m(3) and 9.8×10(3) to 1.2×10(5)CFU/m(3), respectively, during activity period. Good correlation (R(2)=0.999) was observed between total bioaerosols and aerosols (PM10) collected using Anderson impactor and High volume sampler, respectively. Sampling size segregated aerosols using the Siotus personal cascade impactor indicated higher association of bacteria with the coarse fraction (greater than 2.5μm).
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnab Kumar Pahari
- Centre for Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Maharastra 400076, India
| | - Debdeep Dasgupta
- Centre for Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Maharastra 400076, India
| | - Rashmi S Patil
- Centre for Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Maharastra 400076, India
| | - Suparna Mukherji
- Centre for Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Maharastra 400076, India.
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28
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Devabhaktuni A, Elias JE. Application of de Novo Sequencing to Large-Scale Complex Proteomics Data Sets. J Proteome Res 2016; 15:732-42. [PMID: 26743026 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.5b00861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Dependent on concise, predefined protein sequence databases, traditional search algorithms perform poorly when analyzing mass spectra derived from wholly uncharacterized protein products. Conversely, de novo peptide sequencing algorithms can interpret mass spectra without relying on reference databases. However, such algorithms have been difficult to apply to complex protein mixtures, in part due to a lack of methods for automatically validating de novo sequencing results. Here, we present novel metrics for benchmarking de novo sequencing algorithm performance on large-scale proteomics data sets and present a method for accurately calibrating false discovery rates on de novo results. We also present a novel algorithm (LADS) that leverages experimentally disambiguated fragmentation spectra to boost sequencing accuracy and sensitivity. LADS improves sequencing accuracy on longer peptides relative to that of other algorithms and improves discriminability of correct and incorrect sequences. Using these advancements, we demonstrate accurate de novo identification of peptide sequences not identifiable using database search-based approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Devabhaktuni
- Department of Chemical & Systems Biology, Stanford University , Stanford, California 94035, United States
| | - Joshua E Elias
- Department of Chemical & Systems Biology, Stanford University , Stanford, California 94035, United States
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29
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Gangamma S. Characteristics of airborne bacteria in Mumbai urban environment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 488-489:70-74. [PMID: 24815556 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.04.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2014] [Revised: 04/14/2014] [Accepted: 04/16/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Components of biological origin constitute small but a significant proportion of the ambient airborne particulate matter (PM). However, their diversity and role in proinflammatory responses of PM are not well understood. The present study characterizes airborne bacterial species diversity in Mumbai City and elucidates the role of bacterial endotoxin in PM induced proinflammatory response in ex vivo. Airborne bacteria and endotoxin samples were collected during April-May 2010 in Mumbai using six stage microbial impactor and biosampler. The culturable bacterial species concentration was measured and factors influencing the composition were identified by principal component analysis (PCA). The biosampler samples were used to stimulate immune cells in whole blood assay. A total of 28 species belonging to 17 genera were identified. Gram positive and spore forming groups of bacteria dominated the airborne culturable bacterial concentration. The study indicated the dominance of spore forming and human or animal flora derived pathogenic/opportunistic bacteria in the ambient air environment. Pathogenic and opportunistic species of bacteria were also present in the samples. TNF-α induction by PM was reduced (35%) by polymyxin B pretreatment and this result was corroborated with the results of blocking endotoxin receptor cluster differentiation (CD14). The study highlights the importance of airborne biological particles and suggests need of further studies on biological characterization of ambient PM.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Gangamma
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, India.
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30
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Dueker ME, O'Mullan GD. Aeration remediation of a polluted waterway increases near-surface coarse and culturable microbial aerosols. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 478:184-189. [PMID: 24531127 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.01.092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2013] [Revised: 01/24/2014] [Accepted: 01/24/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Aeration remediation is currently used in polluted urban waterways to increase oxygen levels in the water column. Recent studies have provided increasing evidence that the bursting of bubbles at water surfaces introduced by aeration, or other surface disturbances, can transfer viable bacteria to the air. In heavily sewage-polluted waterways these water-originated bacterial aerosols may pose as a health risk to recreators in small boats or residents inhabiting the shoreline. Nonetheless, few studies have explored aerosols above active aeration remediation projects in waterways or investigated how bacterial aerosols change with vertical distance from aeration activities. This study, conducted at the Newtown Creek superfund site in Brooklyn, NY, USA, measured coarse aerosol particles and culturable bacteria in near-surface air above waters undergoing aeration remediation. Regardless of aeration operation culturable bacterial fallout was greater near-surface (0.6m above water) than previously-reported measurements made at 2.5m. Molecular analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences from isolated bacteria demonstrates that water and air shared a large number of bacterial genera and that the genera present in the near-surface aerosols (0.6m) contained water-associated Vibrio and Caulobacter, which were not present at 2.5m, despite the smaller sequence library size from the near-surface. Also, the near-surface microbial assemblage had significantly greater association with sequences detected previously in aquatic environments compared to the 2.5m library. We found compelling evidence that aeration activity contributed to this vertical gradient in bacterial aerosol concentrations and identity. Similar to results from 2.5m, concentrations of near-surface respirable coarse aerosols (<10 um) increased significantly when aeration was occurring. Culturable bacterial aerosol fallout was also greater near-surface when the aerator was on compared to simultaneous measurements made at 2.5m. Furthermore, when the aerator was operating, the near-surface bacterial aerosol assemblage was statistically more similar to water assemblages than when the aerator was off. These findings highlight the potential for aeration remediation to increase exposure to viable bacterial aerosols in recreators (e.g. kayakers), a problem of greater concern where surface water is heavily polluted with sewage, as in Newtown Creek.
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31
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Viegas C, Faria T, Gomes AQ, Sabino R, Seco A, Viegas S. Fungal contamination in two Portuguese wastewater treatment plants. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2014; 77:90-102. [PMID: 24555650 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2014.866925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The presence of filamentous fungi was detected in wastewater and air collected at wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) from several European countries. The aim of the present study was to assess fungal contamination in two WWTP operating in Lisbon. In addition, particulate matter (PM) contamination data was analyzed. To apply conventional methods, air samples from the two plants were collected through impaction using an air sampler with a velocity air rate of 140 L/min. Surfaces samples were collected by swabbing the surfaces of the same indoor sites. All collected samples were incubated at 27°C for 5 to 7 d. After lab processing and incubation of collected samples, quantitative and qualitative results were obtained with identification of the isolated fungal species. For molecular methods, air samples of 250 L were also collected using the impinger method at 300 L/min airflow rate. Samples were collected into 10 ml sterile phosphate-buffered saline with 0.05% Triton X-100, and the collection liquid was subsequently used for DNA extraction. Molecular identification of Aspergillus fumigatus and Stachybotrys chartarum was achieved by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using the Rotor-Gene 6000 qPCR Detection System (Corbett). Assessment of PM was also conducted with portable direct-reading equipment (Lighthouse, model 3016 IAQ). Particles concentration measurement was performed at five different sizes: PM0.5, PM1, PM2.5, PM5, and PM10. Sixteen different fungal species were detected in indoor air in a total of 5400 isolates in both plants. Penicillium sp. was the most frequently isolated fungal genus (58.9%), followed by Aspergillus sp. (21.2%) and Acremonium sp. (8.2%), in the total underground area. In a partially underground plant, Penicillium sp. (39.5%) was also the most frequently isolated, also followed by Aspergillus sp. (38.7%) and Acremonium sp. (9.7%). Using RT-PCR, only A. fumigatus was detected in air samples collected, and only from partial underground plant. Stachybotrys chartarum was not detected in any of the samples analyzed. The distribution of particle sizes showed the same tendency in both plants; however, the partially underground plant presented higher levels of contamination, except for PM2.5. Fungal contamination assessment is crucial to evaluating the potential health risks to exposed workers in these settings. In order to achieve an evaluation of potential health risks to exposed workers, it is essential to combine conventional and molecular methods for fungal detection. Protective measures to minimize worker exposure to fungi need to be adopted since wastewater is the predominant internal fungal source in this setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Viegas
- a Environmental Health RG, Lisbon School of Health Technology, Polytechnique Institute of Lisbon , Lisbon , Portugal
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32
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Teixeira JV, Miranda S, Monteiro RAR, Lopes FVS, Madureira J, Silva GV, Pestana N, Pinto E, Vilar VJP, Boaventura RAR. Assessment of indoor airborne contamination in a wastewater treatment plant. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2013; 185:59-72. [PMID: 22322406 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-012-2533-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2011] [Accepted: 01/11/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The main objective of this work was to quantify and characterize the major indoor air contaminants present in different stages of a municipal WWTP, including microorganisms (bacteria and fungi), carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide ammonia, formaldehyde, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In general, the total bacteria concentration was found to vary from 60 to >52,560 colony-forming units (CFU)/m(3), and the total fungi concentration ranged from 369 to 14,068 CFU/m(3). Generally, Gram-positive bacteria were observed in higher number than Gram-negative bacteria. CO(2) concentration ranged from 251 to 9,710 ppm, and CO concentration was either not detected or presented a level of 1 ppm. H(2)S concentration ranged from 0.1 to 6.0 ppm. NH(3) concentration was <2 ppm in most samples. Formaldehyde was <0.01 ppm at all sampling sites. The total VOC concentration ranged from 36 to 1,724 μg/m(3). Among the VOCs, toluene presented the highest concentration. Results point to indoor/outdoor ratios higher than one. In general, the highest levels of airborne contaminants were detected at the primary treatment (SEDIPAC 3D), secondary sedimentation, and sludge dehydration. At most sampling sites, the concentrations of airborne contaminants were below the occupational exposure limits (OELs) for all the campaigns. However, a few contaminants were above OELs in some sampling sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana V Teixeira
- LSRE-Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering-Associate Laboratory LSRE/LCM, Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
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33
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Dueker ME, O'Mullan GD, Juhl AR, Weathers KC, Uriarte M. Local environmental pollution strongly influences culturable bacterial aerosols at an urban aquatic superfund site. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2012; 46:10926-10933. [PMID: 22954203 DOI: 10.1021/es301870t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
In polluted environments, when microbial aerosols originate locally, species composition of the aerosols should reflect the polluted source. To test the connection between local environmental pollution and microbial aerosols near an urban waterfront, we characterized bacterial aerosols at Newtown Creek (NTC), a public waterway and Superfund site in a densely populated area of New York, NY, USA. Culturable bacterial aerosol fallout rate and surface water bacterial concentrations were at least an order of magnitude greater at NTC than at a neighboring, less polluted waterfront and a nonurban coastal site in Maine. The NTC culturable bacterial aerosol community was significantly different in taxonomic structure from previous urban and coastal aerosol studies, particularly in relative abundances of Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria. Twenty-four percent of the operational taxonomic units in the NTC overall (air + water) bacterial isolate library were most similar to bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequences previously described in terrestrial or aquatic environments contaminated with sewage, hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and other industrial waste. This study is the first to examine the community composition and local deposition of bacterial aerosols from an aquatic Superfund site. The findings have important implications for the use of aeration remediation in polluted aquatic environments and suggest a novel pathway of microbial exposure in densely populated urban communities containing contaminated soil and water.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Elias Dueker
- Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, New York 10964, USA.
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