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Conco-Biyela T, Malla MA, Olatunji Awolusi O, Allam M, Ismail A, Stenström TA, Bux F, Kumari S. Metagenomics insights into microbiome and antibiotic resistance genes from free living amoeba in chlorinated wastewater effluents. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2024; 258:114345. [PMID: 38471337 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Free living amoeba (FLA) are among the organisms commonly found in wastewater and are well-established hosts for diverse microbial communities. Despite its clinical significance, there is little knowledge on the FLA microbiome and resistome, with previous studies relying mostly on conventional approaches. In this study we comprehensively analyzed the microbiome, antibiotic resistome and virulence factors (VFs) within FLA isolated from final treated effluents of two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) using shotgun metagenomics. Acanthamoeba has been identified as the most common FLA, followed by Entamoeba. The bacterial diversity showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) in FLA microbiomes obtained from the two WWTPs. At phylum level, the most dominant taxa were Proteobacteria, followed by Firmicutes and Actinobacteria. The most abundant genera identified were Enterobacter followed by Citrobacter, Paenibacillus, and Cupriavidus. The latter three genera are reported here for the first time in Acanthamoeba. In total, we identified 43 types of ARG conferring resistance to cephalosporins, phenicol, streptomycin, trimethoprim, quinolones, cephalosporins, tigecycline, rifamycin, and kanamycin. Similarly, a variety of VFs in FLA metagenomes were detected which included flagellar proteins, Type IV pili twitching motility proteins (pilH and rpoN), alginate biosynthesis genes AlgI, AlgG, AlgD and AlgW and Type VI secretion system proteins and general secretion pathway proteins (tssM, tssA, tssL, tssK, tssJ, fha, tssG, tssF, tssC and tssB, gspC, gspE, gspD, gspF, gspG, gspH, gspI, gspJ, gspK, and gspM). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of its kind to examine both the microbiomes and resistome in FLA, as well as their potential pathogenicity in treated effluents. Additionally, this study showed that FLA can host a variety of potentially pathogenic bacteria including Paenibacillus, and Cupriavidus that had not previously been reported, indicating that their relationship may play a role in the spread and persistence of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARBs) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) as well as the evolution of novel pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thobela Conco-Biyela
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4001, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
| | - Muneer Ahmad Malla
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4001, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
| | - Oluyemi Olatunji Awolusi
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4001, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
| | - Mushal Allam
- NICD Sequencing Core Facility, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Sandringham, 2192, Pretoria, South Africa; Department of Genetics and Genomics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates
| | - Arshad Ismail
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4001, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa; NICD Sequencing Core Facility, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Sandringham, 2192, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Thor A Stenström
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4001, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4001, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
| | - Sheena Kumari
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4001, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa.
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Mthethwa-Hlongwa NP, Amoah ID, Gomez A, Davison S, Reddy P, Bux F, Kumari S. Profiling pathogenic protozoan and their functional pathways in wastewater using 18S rRNA and shotgun metagenomics. Sci Total Environ 2024; 912:169602. [PMID: 38154626 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Despite extensive research, little is known about the composition of eukaryotic protists in environmental samples. This is due to low parasite concentrations, the complexity of parasite diversity, and a lack of suitable reference databases and standardized protocols. To bridge this knowledge gap, this study used 18S rRNA short amplicon and shotgun metagenomic sequencing approaches to profile protozoan microbial communities as well as their functional pathways in treated and untreated wastewater samples collected from different regions of South Africa. Results demonstrated that protozoan diversity (Shannon index P-value = 0.03) and taxonomic composition (PERMANOVA, P-value = 0.02) was mainly driven by the type of wastewater samples (treated & untreated) and geographic location. However, these WWTPs were also found to contain a core community of protozoan parasites. The untreated wastewater samples revealed a predominant presence of free-living, parasitic, and potentially pathogenic protists typically found in humans and animals, ranging from Alveolata (27 %) phylum (Apicomplexa and Ciliophora) to Excavata (3.88 %) (Discoba and Parasalia) and Amoebozoa (2.84 %) (Entamoeba and Acanthamoeba). Shotgun metagenomics analyses in a subset of the untreated wastewater samples confirmed the presence of public health-importance protozoa, including Cryptosporidium species (3.48 %), Entamoeba hystolitica (6.58 %), Blastocystis hominis (2.91 %), Naegleria gruberi (2.37 %), Toxoplasma gondii (1.98 %), Cyclospora cayetanensis (1.30 %), and Giardia intestinalis (0.31 %). Virulent gene families linked to pathogenic protozoa, such as serine/threonine protein phosphatase and mucin-desulfating sulfatase were identified. Additionally, enriched pathways included thiamine diphosphate biosynthesis III, heme biosynthesis, Methylerythritol 4-Phosphate Pathway, methyl erythritol phosphate (MEP), and pentose phosphate pathways. These findings suggest that protozoan pathogens may possess metabolic and growth potential within WWTPs, posing a severe risk of transmission to humans and animals if inadequately disinfected before release. This study provides a baseline for the future investigation of diverse protozoal communities in wastewater, which are of public health importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nonsikelelo P Mthethwa-Hlongwa
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban 4000, South Africa; Department Community Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Isaac D Amoah
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban 4000, South Africa; Department of Environmental Science, The University of Arizona, Shantz Building Rm 4291177 E 4th St., Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Andres Gomez
- Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA
| | - Sam Davison
- Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA
| | - Poovendhree Reddy
- Department Community Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Sheena Kumari
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban 4000, South Africa.
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Ansari FA, Hassan H, Ramanna L, Gani KM, Singh K, Rawat I, Gupta SK, Kumari S, Bux F. Recycling air conditioner-generated condensate water for microalgal biomass production and carbon dioxide sequestration. J Environ Manage 2024; 351:119917. [PMID: 38183950 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Air conditioners alleviate the discomfort of human beings from heat waves that are consequences of climate change caused by anthropogenic activities. With each passing year, the effects of global warming worsen, increasing the growth of air conditioning industry. Air conditioning units produce substantial amounts of non-nutritive and (generally) neglected condensate water and greenhouse gases. Considering this, the study explored the potential of using air conditioner condensate water (ACW) to cultivate Chlorella sorokiniana, producing biomass, and sequestering carbon dioxide (CO2). The maximum biomass production was obtained in the BG11 medium (1.45 g L-1), followed by ACW-50 (1.3 g L-1). Similarly, the highest chlorophyll-a content was observed in the BG11 medium (11 μg mL-1), followed by ACW-50 (9.11 μg mL-1). The ACW-50 cultures proved to be better adapted to physiological stress (Fv/Fm > 0.5) and can be suitable for achieving maximum biomass with adequate lipid, protein, and carbohydrate production. Moreover, C. sorokiniana demonstrated higher lipid and carbohydrate yields in the ACW-50 medium, while biomass production and protein yields were comparable to the BG11 medium. The lipid, protein, and carbohydrate productivity were 23.43, 32.9, and 23.19 mg L-1 d-1, respectively for ACW-50. Estimation of carbon capture potential through this approach equals to 9.5% of the total emissions which is an added advantage The results indicated that ACW could be effectively utilized for microalgae cultivation, reducing the reliance on freshwater for large-scale microalgal biomass production and reduce the carbon footprints of the air conditioning industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- F A Ansari
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P O Box1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - H Hassan
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P O Box1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - L Ramanna
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P O Box1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - K M Gani
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P O Box1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa; Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Srinagar, India
| | - K Singh
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P O Box1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - I Rawat
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P O Box1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - S K Gupta
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P O Box1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa; Environmental Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, India
| | - S Kumari
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P O Box1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - F Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P O Box1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa.
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Pandey A, Kant G, Chaudhary A, Amesho KTT, Reddy K, Bux F. Axenic green microalgae for the treatment of textile effluent and the production of biofuel: a promising sustainable approach. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 40:81. [PMID: 38285224 PMCID: PMC10824862 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-023-03863-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
An integrated approach to nutrient recycling utilizing microalgae could provide feasible solutions for both environmental control and energy production. In this study, an axenic microalgae strain, Chlorella sorokiniana ASK25 was evaluated for its potential as a biofuel feedstock and textile wastewater (TWW) treatment. The microalgae isolate was grown on TWW supplemented with different proportions of standard BG-11 medium varying from 0 to 100% (v/v). The results showed that TWW supplemented with 20% (v/v) BG11 medium demonstrated promising results in terms of Chlorella sorokiniana ASK25 biomass (3.80 g L-1), lipid production (1.24 g L-1), nutrients (N/P, > 99%) and pollutant removal (chemical oxygen demand (COD), 99.05%). The COD level dropped by 90% after 4 days of cultivation, from 2,593.33 mg L-1 to 215 mg L-1; however, after day 6, the nitrogen (-NO3-1) and total phosphorus (TP) levels were reduced by more than 95%. The biomass-, total lipid- and carbohydrate- production, after 6 days of cultivation were 3.80 g L-1, 1.24 g L-1, and 1.09 g L-1, respectively, which were 2.15-, 2.95- and 3.30-fold higher than Chlorella sorokiniana ASK25 grown in standard BG-11 medium (control). In addition, as per the theoretical mass balances, 1 tonne biomass of Chlorella sorokiniana ASK25 might yield 294.5 kg of biodiesel and 135.7 kg of bioethanol. Palmitic acid, stearic acid, and oleic acid were the dominant fatty acids found in the Chlorella sorokiniana ASK25 lipid. This study illustrates the potential use of TWW as a microalgae feedstock with reduced nutrient supplementation (20% of TWW). Thus, it can be considered a promising feedstock for economical biofuel production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashutosh Pandey
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, 19 Steve Biko Road, Durban, 4000, South Africa
- BiotechnologyBioenergy Research Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, AKS University Satna, Satna, MP, 485001, India
| | - Gaurav Kant
- Department of Biotechnology, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology Allahabad, Prayagraj, UP, 211004, India
| | - Ashvani Chaudhary
- Department of Biotechnology, University)IMS Engineering College (Affiliated to Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University, Lucknow), Lucknow, Ghaziabad, UP, 201015, India
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Noida Campus, Sec-125, Noida, 201313, UP, India
| | - Kaissan T T Amesho
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, 804, Taiwan
- Centre for Emerging Contaminants Research, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, 804, Taiwan
- Centre for Environmental Studies, The International University of Management, Main Campus, Dorado Park Ext 1, Windhoek, 10001, Namibia
| | - Karen Reddy
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, 19 Steve Biko Road, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, 19 Steve Biko Road, Durban, 4000, South Africa.
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Ng'etich AI, Amoah ID, Bux F, Kumari S. Anthelmintic resistance in soil-transmitted helminths: One-Health considerations. Parasitol Res 2023; 123:62. [PMID: 38114766 PMCID: PMC10730643 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-08088-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
The One-Health approach recognizes the intricate connection between human, animal, and environmental health, and that cooperative effort from various professionals provides comprehensive awareness and potential solutions for issues relating to the health of people, animals, and the environment. This approach has increasingly gained appeal as the standard strategy for tackling emerging infectious diseases, most of which are zoonoses. Treatment with anthelmintics (AHs) without a doubt minimizes the severe consequences of soil-transmitted helminths (STHs); however, evidence of anthelmintic resistance (AR) development to different helminths of practically every animal species and the distinct groups of AHs is overwhelming globally. In this regard, the correlation between the application of anthelmintic drugs in both human and animal populations and the consequent development of anthelmintic resistance in STHs within the context of a One-Health framework is explored. This review provides an overview of the major human and animal STHs, treatment of the STHs, AR development and drug-related factors contributing towards AR, One-Health and STHs, and an outline of some One-Health strategies that may be used in combating AR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Imali Ng'etich
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology (DUT), Durban, South Africa
| | - Isaac Dennis Amoah
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology (DUT), Durban, South Africa
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology (DUT), Durban, South Africa
| | - Sheena Kumari
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology (DUT), Durban, South Africa.
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Iwu-Jaja C, Ndlovu NL, Rachida S, Yousif M, Taukobong S, Macheke M, Mhlanga L, van Schalkwyk C, Pulliam JRC, Moultrie T, le Roux W, Schaefer L, Pocock G, Coetzee LZ, Mans J, Bux F, Pillay L, de Villiers D, du Toit AP, Jambo D, Gomba A, Groenink S, Madgewick N, van der Walt M, Mutshembele A, Berkowitz N, Suchard M, McCarthy K. The role of wastewater-based epidemiology for SARS-CoV-2 in developing countries: Cumulative evidence from South Africa supports sentinel site surveillance to guide public health decision-making. Sci Total Environ 2023; 903:165817. [PMID: 37506905 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
The uptake of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) for SARS-CoV-2 as a complementary tool for monitoring population-level epidemiological features of the COVID-19 pandemic in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) is low. We report on the findings from the South African SARS-CoV-2 WBE surveillance network and make recommendations regarding the implementation of WBE in LMICs. Eight laboratories quantified influent wastewater collected from 87 wastewater treatment plants in all nine South African provinces from 01 June 2021 to 31 May 2022 inclusive, during the 3rd and 4th waves of COVID-19. Correlation and regression analyses between wastewater levels of SARS-CoV-2 and district laboratory-confirmed caseloads were conducted. The sensitivity and specificity of novel 'rules' based on WBE data to predict an epidemic wave were determined. Amongst 2158 wastewater samples, 543/648 (85 %) samples taken during a wave tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 compared with 842 positive tests from 1512 (55 %) samples taken during the interwave period. Overall, the regression-co-efficient was 0,66 (95 % confidence interval = 0,6-0,72, R2 = 0.59), ranging from 0.14 to 0.87 by testing laboratory. Early warning of the 4th wave of SARS-CoV-2 in Gauteng Province in November-December 2021 was demonstrated. A 50 % increase in log copies of SARS-CoV-2 compared with a rolling mean over the previous five weeks was the most sensitive predictive rule (58 %) to predict a new wave. Our findings support investment in WBE for SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in LMICs as an early warning tool. Standardising test methodology is necessary due to varying correlation strengths across laboratories and redundancy across testing plants. A sentinel site model can be used for surveillance networks without affecting WBE finding for decision-making. Further research is needed to identify optimal test frequency and the need for normalisation to population size to identify predictive and interpretive rules to support early warning and public health action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chinwe Iwu-Jaja
- Centre for Vaccines and Immunology, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, South Africa.
| | - Nkosenhle Lindo Ndlovu
- Centre for Vaccines and Immunology, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, South Africa.
| | - Said Rachida
- Centre for Vaccines and Immunology, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, South Africa
| | - Mukhlid Yousif
- Centre for Vaccines and Immunology, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, South Africa; School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Setshaba Taukobong
- Centre for Vaccines and Immunology, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, South Africa
| | - Mokgaetji Macheke
- Centre for Vaccines and Immunology, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, South Africa
| | - Laurette Mhlanga
- South African DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (SACEMA), Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Cari van Schalkwyk
- South African DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (SACEMA), Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Juliet R C Pulliam
- South African DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (SACEMA), Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Tom Moultrie
- Centre for Actuarial Research, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Wouter le Roux
- Water Centre, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Lisa Schaefer
- Water Centre, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | | | - Janet Mans
- Department of Medical Virology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
| | - Leanne Pillay
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
| | | | - A P du Toit
- Lumegen Laboratories (Pty) Ltd, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Don Jambo
- National Institute for Occupational Health, South Africa
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Melinda Suchard
- Centre for Vaccines and Immunology, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, South Africa; School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Kerrigan McCarthy
- Centre for Vaccines and Immunology, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, South Africa; School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Mtetwa HN, Amoah ID, Kumari S, Bux F, Reddy P. Exploring the role of wastewater-based epidemiology in understanding tuberculosis burdens in Africa. Environ Res 2023; 231:115911. [PMID: 37105295 PMCID: PMC10318412 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a persistent challenge to public health and presents a substantial menace, especially in developing nations of sub-Saharan Africa. It exerts a considerable strain on healthcare systems in these regions. Effective control requires reliable surveillance, which can be improved by incorporating environmental data alongside clinical data. Molecular advances have led to the development of alternative surveillance methods, such as wastewater-based epidemiology. This studyinvestigated the presence, concentration, and diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, the cause of TB, in from six African countries: Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Cameroon, and South Africa. Samples were collected from wastewater treatment plants. All samples were found to contain Mycobacterium species that have been linked to TB in both humans and animals, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium bovis, Mycobacterium africanum, and Mycobacterium caprae, at varying concentrations. The highest median concentration was found in Ghana, reaching up to 4.7 Log copies/ml for MTBC, 4.6 Log copies/ml for M. bovis, and 3.4 Log copies/ml for M. africanum. The presence of M. africanum outside of West Africa was found in South Africa, Kenya, and Uganda and could indicate the spread of the pathogen. The study underscores the usefulness of wastewater-based epidemiology for tracking TB and shows that even treated wastewater may contain these pathogens, posing potential public health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hlengiwe N Mtetwa
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT), Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa; Department of Community Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Isaac D Amoah
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Arizona, Tuscon, USA
| | - Sheena Kumari
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT), Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT), Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Poovendhree Reddy
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT), Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa; Department of Community Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa.
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Mtetwa HN, Amoah ID, Kumari S, Bux F, Reddy P. Surveillance of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in sub-Saharan Africa through wastewater-based epidemiology. Heliyon 2023; 9:e18302. [PMID: 37576289 PMCID: PMC10412881 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The spread of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a serious public health issue, particularly in developing nations. The current methods of monitoring drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) using clinical diagnoses and hospital records are insufficient due to limited healthcare access and underreporting. This study proposes using Wastewater-Based Epidemiology (WBE) to monitor DR-TB in six African countries (Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Cameroon, and South Africa) and examines the impact of treated wastewater on the spread of TB drug-resistant genes in the environment. Using droplet-digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR), the study evaluated untreated and treated wastewater samples in selected African countries for TB surveillance. There was a statistically significant difference in concentrations of genes conferring resistance to TB drugs in wastewater samples from the selected countries (p-value<0.05); South African samples exhibited the highest concentrations of 4.3(±2,77), 4.8(±2.96), 4.4(±3,10) and 4.7(±3,39) log copies/ml for genes conferring resistance to first-line TB drugs (katG, rpoB, embB and pncA respectively) in untreated wastewater. This may be attributed to the higher prevalence of TB/MDR-TB in SA compared to other African countries. Interestingly, genes conferring resistance to second-line TB drugs such as delamanid (ddn gene) and bedaquiline (atpE gene) were detected in relatively high concentrations (4.8(±3,67 and 3.2(±2,31 log copies/ml for ddn and atpE respectively) in countries, such as Cameroon, where these drugs are not part of the MDR-TB treatment regimens, perhaps due to migration or the unapproved use of these drugs in the country. The gene encoding resistance to streptomycin (rrs gene) was abundant in all countries, perhaps due to the common use of this antibiotic for infections other than TB. These results highlight the need for additional surveillance and monitoring, such as WBE, to gather data at a community level. Combining WBE with the One Health strategy and current TB surveillance systems can help prevent the spread of DR-TB in populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hlengiwe N. Mtetwa
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT), Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
- Department of Community Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Isaac D. Amoah
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT), Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
- Department of Environmental Science, The University of Arizona, Shantz Building Rm 4291177 E 4th St.Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Sheena Kumari
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT), Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT), Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Poovendhree Reddy
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT), Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
- Department of Community Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
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Reddy K, Renuka N, Kumari S, Ratha SK, Moodley B, Pillay K, Bux F. Assessing the potential for nevirapine removal and its ecotoxicological effects on Coelastrella tenuitheca and Tetradesmus obliquus in aqueous environment. Environ Pollut 2023; 317:120736. [PMID: 36460185 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Remediation of the antiretroviral (ARV) drug, nevirapine (NVP) has attracted considerable scientific attention in recent years due to its frequent detection and persistence in aquatic environments and potential hazards to living organisms. Algae-based technologies have been emerging as an environmentally friendly option for the removal of pharmaceutical compounds, but their ARV drug removal potential has not been fully explored yet. This study aimed to explore the ecotoxicity and removal potential of NVP by two microalgal species, Coelastrella tenuitheca and Tetradesmus obliquus. Lower environmental concentrations (up to 200 ng L-1) of NVP enhanced the microalgal growth, and the highest dry cell weight of 941.27 mg L-1 was obtained in T. obliquus at 50 ng L-1 NVP concentration. Both microalgae showed varying removal efficiencies (19.53-74.56%) when exposed to NVP concentration levels of up to 4000 ng L-1. At the late log phase (day 8), T. obliquus removed the highest percentage of NVP (74.56%), while C. tenuitheca removed 48% at an initial NVP concentration of 50 ng L-1. Photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm and rETR) of the two microalgal species, however, was not affected by environmental concentrations of NVP (up to 4000 ng L-1) at the mid log phase of growth. SEM analysis demonstrated that both algal species produced distinct ridges on their cell surfaces after NVP uptake. In the ecotoxicity study, the calculated IC50 values of NVP (0-100 mg L-1) after 96 h of exposure were 23.45 mg L-1 (C. tenuitheca) and 18.20 mg L-1 (T. obliquus). The findings of the present study may contribute to a better understanding of the environmental hazards associated with NVP and the efficacy of microalgae in removing this pharmaceutical from aquatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Reddy
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Nirmal Renuka
- Algal Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401, India
| | - Sheena Kumari
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Sachitra Kumar Ratha
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa; Phycology Laboratory, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, 226001, India
| | - Brenda Moodley
- School of Chemistry and Physics, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Westville, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Kriveshin Pillay
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa.
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10
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Kosgey K, Zungu PV, Bux F, Kumari S. Biological nitrogen removal from low carbon wastewater. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:968812. [PMID: 36466689 PMCID: PMC9709150 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.968812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Nitrogen has traditionally been removed from wastewater by nitrification and denitrification processes, in which organic carbon has been used as an electron donor during denitrification. However, some wastewaters contain low concentrations of organic carbon, which may require external organic carbon supply, increasing treatment costs. As a result, processes such as partial nitrification/anammox (anaerobic ammonium oxidation) (PN/A), autotrophic denitrification, nitritation-denitritation and bioelectrochemical processes have been studied as possible alternatives, and are thus evaluated in this study based on process kinetics, applicability at large-scale and process configuration. Oxygen demand for nitritation-denitritation and PN/A is 25% and 60% lower than for nitrification/denitrification, respectively. In addition, PN/A process does not require organic carbon supply, while its supply for nitritation-denitritation is 40% less than for nitrification/denitrification. Both PN/A and nitritation-denitritation produce less sludge compared to nitrification/denitrification, which saves on sludge handling costs. Similarly, autotrophic denitrification generates less sludge compared to heterotrophic denitrification and could save on sludge handling costs. However, autotrophic denitrification driven by metallic ions, elemental sulfur (S) and its compounds could generate harmful chemicals. On the other hand, hydrogenotrophic denitrification can remove nitrogen completely without generation of harmful chemicals, but requires specialized equipment for generation and handling of hydrogen gas (H2), which complicates process configuration. Bioelectrochemical processes are limited by low kinetics and complicated process configuration. In sum, anammox-mediated processes represent the best alternative to nitrification/denitrification for nitrogen removal in low- and high-strength wastewaters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiprotich Kosgey
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
| | | | | | - Sheena Kumari
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
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11
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Amoah ID, Kumari S, Bux F. A probabilistic assessment of microbial infection risks due to occupational exposure to wastewater in a conventional activated sludge wastewater treatment plant. Sci Total Environ 2022; 843:156849. [PMID: 35728649 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to pathogens during wastewater treatment could result in significant health risks. In this paper, a probabilistic approach for assessing the risks of microbial infection for workers in an activated sludge wastewater treatment plant is presented. A number of exposure routes were modelled, including hand-to-mouth and droplet ingestion of untreated wastewater, droplet ingestion and inhalation of aerosols after secondary treatment, and ingestion of sludge during drying. Almost all workers exposed to untreated wastewater could be infected with the three selected potential pathogens of pathogenic E. coli, Norovirus and Cryptosporidium spp. Hand-to-mouth ingestion is the single most significant route of exposure at the head of works. There is also a risk of infections resulting from ingestion of droplets or inhalation of aerosols at the aeration tanks or contaminated hands at the clarifiers during secondary wastewater treatment. For sludge, the risks of infection with Norovirus was found to be the highest due to accidental ingestion (median risks of 2.2 × 10-2(±3.3 × 10-3)). Regardless of the point and route of exposure, Norovirus and Cryptosporidium spp. presented the highest risks. The study finds that occupational exposure to wastewater at wastewater treatment plants can result in significant viral and protozoan infections. This risk assessment framework can be used to establish and measure the success of risk reduction measures in wastewater treatment plants. These measures could include the use of personal protective equipment and adherence to strict personal hygiene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac Dennis Amoah
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Sheena Kumari
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa.
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12
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Mutsvene B, Chetty M, Kumari S, Bux F. Biohydrogen production from brewery wastewater in an Anaerobic Baffled Reactor. A preliminary techno-economic evaluation. South African Journal of Chemical Engineering 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sajce.2022.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/07/2022] Open
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13
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Zungu PV, Kosgey K, Kumari S, Bux F. Effects of antimicrobials in anammox mediated systems: critical review. Water Sci Technol 2022; 86:1551-1564. [PMID: 36178823 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2022.284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Anammox-mediated systems are thought to be cost-effective and efficient technologies for removing nitrogen from wastewater by converting nitrite and ammonium into dinitrogen gas. However, there are inhibitory substances that reduce the effectiveness and efficiency of these processes, preventing their widespread application. Antimicrobial agents are among these substances that have been observed to inhibit anammox-mediated processes. Therefore, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the effects of various antimicrobials on the anammox-based systems with emphasis on the effects in different reactor configurations, sludge types and microbial population of anammox-based systems. In addition, this review also discusses the mechanisms by which nitrifying bacteria are inhibited by the antimicrobials. Gaps in knowledge based on this review as well as future research needs have also been suggested. This review gives a better knowledge of antimicrobial effects on anammox-based systems and provides some guidance on the type of system to use to treat antimicrobial-containing wastewater using anammox-based processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phumza Vuyokazi Zungu
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban 4001, South Africa E-mail:
| | - Kiprotich Kosgey
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban 4001, South Africa E-mail:
| | - Sheena Kumari
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban 4001, South Africa E-mail:
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban 4001, South Africa E-mail:
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14
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Mthethwa NP, Amoah ID, Reddy P, Bux F, Kumari S. Fluorescence and colorimetric LAMP-based real-time detection of human pathogenic Cryptosporidium spp. from environmental samples. Acta Trop 2022; 235:106606. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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15
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Mogany T, Kumari S, Swalaha FM, Bux F. In silico analysis of enzymes involved in mycosporine-like amino acids biosynthesis in Euhalothece sp.: Structural and functional characterization. ALGAL RES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2022.102806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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16
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Incampo G, De Luca V, Rizzo D, Bux F, Moramarco M, Valecce R, Robles G, Pirozzi M, Candida T, Marino F, Campagna M, Fiorentino A, Bonfantino M. P229 IMPROVED CLINICAL–INSTRUMENTAL OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC DILATED HYPERTENSIVE / ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE, UNDERGOING CCM, CARRIER OF CRTD WITH PERSISTENT SEVERE LEFT VENTRICULAR DYSFUNCTION. Eur Heart J Suppl 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/suac012.221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
A 62–year–old man repeatedly subjected to PTCA + stent with severe left ventricular dysfunction and estimated FE 15%. After some hospitalizations for heart failure in 2015 he underwent an AICD implant Biventricular. Followed up in our clinics dedicated to heart failure, the patient did not present the characters of the CRT responder presenting a constant high end–systolic volume (224 ml) and none FE improvement of 15%. There was also an asthenia and tendency to inactivity and elevated NT Pro BNP levels despite optimal medical therapy even with entresto 24/26 mg x 2 / day. It has been decided to submit the patient enrolled in the cardiac transplant and / or VAD implantation lists to an implantation procedure of CCM system (cardiac contractility modulation). After two active fixation placement leads on the interventricular septum and connection to the CCM system housed in the subcutaneous pocket right contralateral to the biventricular AICD, the patient was monitored. We have noticed since the first days conditions of hemodynamic stability. Scheduled CCM therapy delivery for 10 hours a day. Following subsequently in the follow up at 3 – 6 – 12 – 18 months the patient showed an improvement of minneshota quality of life questionnaire in heart failure: MLWHFQ (44 at baseline, 17 at two months, 15 to six months, 10 to 12 months and 3 to 18 months), an increase in FE from 15 to 23 up to 26%, a reduction of the NTPROBNP from 13444 to 1178 then climbed back to 5549 and 3712 at 18 months for atrial fibrillation, without any requires re–hospitalization, an increased physical activity of the patient detected by the sensors of the two devices
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Affiliation(s)
- G Incampo
- OSPEDALE DI VENERE ASL BA, BARI CARBONARA; FRANCOFORTE, FRANCOFORTE SUL MENO
| | - V De Luca
- OSPEDALE DI VENERE ASL BA, BARI CARBONARA; FRANCOFORTE, FRANCOFORTE SUL MENO
| | - D Rizzo
- OSPEDALE DI VENERE ASL BA, BARI CARBONARA; FRANCOFORTE, FRANCOFORTE SUL MENO
| | - F Bux
- OSPEDALE DI VENERE ASL BA, BARI CARBONARA; FRANCOFORTE, FRANCOFORTE SUL MENO
| | - M Moramarco
- OSPEDALE DI VENERE ASL BA, BARI CARBONARA; FRANCOFORTE, FRANCOFORTE SUL MENO
| | - R Valecce
- OSPEDALE DI VENERE ASL BA, BARI CARBONARA; FRANCOFORTE, FRANCOFORTE SUL MENO
| | - G Robles
- OSPEDALE DI VENERE ASL BA, BARI CARBONARA; FRANCOFORTE, FRANCOFORTE SUL MENO
| | - M Pirozzi
- OSPEDALE DI VENERE ASL BA, BARI CARBONARA; FRANCOFORTE, FRANCOFORTE SUL MENO
| | - T Candida
- OSPEDALE DI VENERE ASL BA, BARI CARBONARA; FRANCOFORTE, FRANCOFORTE SUL MENO
| | - F Marino
- OSPEDALE DI VENERE ASL BA, BARI CARBONARA; FRANCOFORTE, FRANCOFORTE SUL MENO
| | - M Campagna
- OSPEDALE DI VENERE ASL BA, BARI CARBONARA; FRANCOFORTE, FRANCOFORTE SUL MENO
| | - A Fiorentino
- OSPEDALE DI VENERE ASL BA, BARI CARBONARA; FRANCOFORTE, FRANCOFORTE SUL MENO
| | - M Bonfantino
- OSPEDALE DI VENERE ASL BA, BARI CARBONARA; FRANCOFORTE, FRANCOFORTE SUL MENO
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Incampo G, De Luca V, Rizzo D, Bux F, Moramarco M, Pirozzi M, Valecce R, Cassano F, Bonfantino M. P29 AICD IMPLANTATION IN A PATIENT RESURRECTED FROM CARDIAC ARREST, WITH THE R / T PHENOMENON AT THE HOLTER. Eur Heart J Suppl 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/suac012.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
A 72–year–old woman with hypertension for thirty years, resuscitated from cardiac arrest during prosthetic surgery of the right knee in January 2020, with external heart massage and orotracheal intubation. On examination Holter performed in February 2021, presence of couples and R / T phenomenon with Lown 1B–3–4A–5 class. The patient is subjected to coronary angiography which showed only mild atheroma without stenosis hemodynamically significant of the arterial districts explored. On the Echocardiogram, FE estimated at 60%. Based on the anamnestic data and the feedback from the fifth class of Lown at the Holter, it was decided to implant a dual chamber defibrillator for secondary prevention. The vulnerable point of refractory ventricular notoriously falls below 300 msec and in the clinical case in question there is a comparison to the holter of fifth class of lown with phenomenon R on T and coupling interval of 276 msec. The precocity of the ventricular ectopias is already in itself a risk factor for MI, reinforced in the case of clincio in question from a history of resuscitated cardiac arrest in a hospital setting. Not indicated to ours opinion of the electrophysiological inducibility study, given the positive clinical history and dynamic ECG according to Holter who examines the arrhythmic phenomenon in its spontaneous and natural way of presenting itself in circadian rhythm. The reproducibility in the laboratory with the SEI, of the electrical vulnerability was in fact in the recent years downsized, due to high specificity but low sensitivity, as there is in the clinical reality of patient neurovegetative and biohumoral fluxuonary factors, which favor the induction of malignant arrhythmias and that escape the predictive laboratory analysis. Making the patient safe with the implant of the bicameral AICD resulted from a clinical – diagnostic – instrumental analysis and after extensive discussion by the heart team in our Operating Unit.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Incampo
- OSPEDALE DI VENERE ASL BA, BARI CARBONARA
| | - V De Luca
- OSPEDALE DI VENERE ASL BA, BARI CARBONARA
| | - D Rizzo
- OSPEDALE DI VENERE ASL BA, BARI CARBONARA
| | - F Bux
- OSPEDALE DI VENERE ASL BA, BARI CARBONARA
| | | | - M Pirozzi
- OSPEDALE DI VENERE ASL BA, BARI CARBONARA
| | - R Valecce
- OSPEDALE DI VENERE ASL BA, BARI CARBONARA
| | - F Cassano
- OSPEDALE DI VENERE ASL BA, BARI CARBONARA
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Mtetwa HN, Amoah ID, Kumari S, Bux F, Reddy P. Molecular surveillance of tuberculosis-causing mycobacteria in wastewater. Heliyon 2022; 8:e08910. [PMID: 35198775 PMCID: PMC8842018 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e08910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The surveillance of tuberculosis infections has largely depended on clinical diagnostics and hospitalization data. The advancement in molecular methods creates an opportunity for the adoption of alternative surveillance systems, such as wastewater-based epidemiology. This study presents the use of conventional and advanced polymerase chain reaction techniques (droplet digital PCR) to determine the occurrence and concentration of total mycobacteria and members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) in treated and untreated wastewater. Wastewater samples were taken from three wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the city of Durban, South Africa, known for a high burden of TB/MDR-TB due to HIV infections. All untreated wastewater samples contained total mycobacteria and MTBC at varying percentages per WWTP studied. Other members of the MTBC related to tuberculosis infection in animals, M. bovis and M. caprae were also detected. The highest median concentration detected in untreated wastewater was up to 4.9 (±0.2) Log10 copies/ml for total mycobacteria, 4.0 (±0.85) Log10 copies/ml for MTBC, 3.9 (±0.54) Log10 copies/ml for M. tuberculosis, 2.7 (±0.42) Log10 copies/ml for M. africanum, 4.0 (±0.29) Log10 copies/ml for M. bovis and 4.5 (±0.52) Log10 copies/ml for M. caprae. Lower concentrations were detected in the treated wastewater, with a statistically significant difference (P-value ≤ 0.05) in concentrations observed. The log reduction achieved for these bacteria in the respective WWTPs was not statistically different, indicating that the treatment configuration did not have an impact on their removal. The detection of M. africanum in wastewater from South Africa shows that it is possible that some of the TB infections in the community could be caused by this mycobacterium. This study, therefore, highlights the potential of wastewater-based epidemiology for monitoring tuberculosis infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hlengiwe N Mtetwa
- Department of Community Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa.,Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT), Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Isaac D Amoah
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT), Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Sheena Kumari
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT), Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT), Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Poovendhree Reddy
- Department of Community Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
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Mtetwa HN, Amoah ID, Kumari S, Bux F, Reddy P. The source and fate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in wastewater and possible routes of transmission. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:145. [PMID: 35057793 PMCID: PMC8781043 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-12527-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) consists of causative agents of both human and animal tuberculosis and is responsible for over 10 million annual infections globally. Infections occur mainly through airborne transmission, however, there are possible indirect transmissions through a faecal-oral route which is poorly reported. This faecal-oral transmission could be through the occurrence of the microbe in environments such as wastewater. This manuscript, therefore, reviews the source and fate of MTBC in the wastewater environment, including the current methods in use and the possible risks of infections. RESULTS The reviewed literature indicates that about 20% of patients with pulmonary TB may have extra-pulmonary manifestations such as GITB, resulting in shedding in feaces and urine. This could potentially be the reason for the detection of MTBC in wastewater. MTBC concentrations of up to 5.5 × 105 (±3.9 × 105) copies/L of untreated wastewater have been reported. Studies have indicated that wastewater may provide these bacteria with the required nutrients for their growth and could potentially result in environmental transmission. However, 98.6 (± 2.7) %, removal during wastewater treatment, through physical-chemical decantation (primary treatment) and biofiltration (secondary treatment) has been reported. Despite these reports, several studies observed the presence of MTBC in treated wastewater via both culture-dependent and molecular techniques. CONCLUSION The detection of viable MTBC cells in either treated or untreated wastewater, highlights the potential risks of infection for wastewater workers and communities close to these wastewater treatment plants. The generation of aerosols during wastewater treatment could be the main route of transmission. Additionally, direct exposure to the wastewater containing MTBC could potentially contribute to indirect transmissions which may lead to pulmonary or extra-pulmonary infections. This calls for the implementation of risk reduction measures aimed at protecting the exposed populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hlengiwe N Mtetwa
- Department of Community Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT), Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Isaac D Amoah
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT), Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Sheena Kumari
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT), Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT), Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Poovendhree Reddy
- Department of Community Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa.
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20
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Amoah ID, Abunama T, Awolusi OO, Pillay L, Pillay K, Kumari S, Bux F. Effect of selected wastewater characteristics on estimation of SARS-CoV-2 viral load in wastewater. Environ Res 2022; 203:111877. [PMID: 34390718 PMCID: PMC8356757 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology has been used as a tool for surveillance of COVID-19 infections. This approach is dependent on the detection and quantification of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in untreated/raw wastewater. However, the quantification of the viral RNA could be influenced by the physico-chemical properties of the wastewater. This study presents the first use of Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) to determine the potential impact of physico-chemical characteristics of wastewater on the detection and concentration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater. Raw wastewater samples from four wastewater treatment plants were investigated over four months. The physico-chemical characteristics of the raw wastewater was recorded, and the SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentration determined via amplification with droplet digital polymerase chain reaction. The wastewater characteristics considered were chemical oxygen demand, flow rate, ammonia, pH, permanganate value, and total solids. The mean SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations ranged from 648.1(±514.6) copies/mL to 1441.0(±1977.8) copies/mL. Among the parameters assessed using the ANFIS model, ammonia and pH showed significant association with the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA measured. Increasing ammonia concentration was associated with increasing viral RNA concentration and pH between 7.1 and 7.4 were associated with the highest SARS-CoV-2 concentration. Other parameters, such as total solids, were also observed to influence the viral RNA concentration, however, this observation was not consistent across all the wastewater treatment plants. The results from this study indicate the importance of incorporating wastewater characteristic assessment into wastewater-based epidemiology for a robust and accurate COVID-19 surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac Dennis Amoah
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Taher Abunama
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Oluyemi Olatunji Awolusi
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Leanne Pillay
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Kriveshin Pillay
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Sheena Kumari
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa.
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
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Amoah ID, Mthethwa NP, Pillay L, Deepnarain N, Pillay K, Awolusi OO, Kumari S, Bux F. RT-LAMP: A Cheaper, Simpler and Faster Alternative for the Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Wastewater. Food Environ Virol 2021; 13:447-456. [PMID: 34308531 PMCID: PMC8310731 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-021-09489-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) has the potential to become a cheaper and faster option for monitoring COVID-19 infections through wastewater-based epidemiology. However, its application in COVID-19 surveillance has been limited to clinical testing only. We present in this paper two optimized RT-LAMP protocols based on colour change and fluorescence detection and application of these protocols for wastewater monitoring from four wastewater treatment plants over 4 weeks. The optimized RT-LAMP protocols have a limit of detection of 10 copies/25 µl reaction with positive amplification within 35 minutes. Over the 4 weeks of monitoring, the colorimetric protocol detected a prevalence of 12.5%, when 1 µl of extracted RNA with 92.7(± 28.2) ng/µl concentration was analysed. When the RNA template was increased by fivefold, the prevalence increased to 44%. The fluorescent RT-LAMP had a prevalence of 31% and 47% for starting templates of 92.7(± 28.2) ng/µl and 480(± 134.5) ng/µl of the extracted RNA, respectively. All samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2 when analysed with droplet digital PCR, with viral loads ranging from 18.1 to 195.6 gc/ml of wastewater. The RT-ddPCR, therefore, confirms the presence of the viral RNA in the wastewater samples, albeit at low concentrations. Additionally, the RT-LAMP protocols positively detected SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater samples with copies as low as 20.7 gc/ml. The results obtained in our study show the potential application of RT-LAMP for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater, which could provide a cheaper and faster alternative to RT-qPCR or RT-ddPCR for wastewater-based epidemiological monitoring of COVID-19 and other viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac Dennis Amoah
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Nonsikelelo Precios Mthethwa
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Leanne Pillay
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Nashia Deepnarain
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Kriveshin Pillay
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Oluyemi Olatunji Awolusi
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Sheena Kumari
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa.
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22
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Musetsho P, Renuka N, Guldhe A, Singh P, Pillay K, Rawat I, Bux F. Valorization of poultry litter using Acutodesmus obliquus and its integrated application for lipids and fertilizer production. Sci Total Environ 2021; 796:149018. [PMID: 34274677 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae are recognized as potential candidates for resource recovery from wastewater and projected for biorefinery models. This study was undertaken to evaluate the potential of poultry litter and municipal wastewater as nutrient and water sources, for the cultivation of Acutodesmus obliquus for lipids production for biodiesel application. The efficacy of lipid extracted biomass (LEA) as fertilizer for mung bean crops was also assessed in microcosm. A. obliquus cultivation in acid pre-treated poultry litter extract (PPLE) showed maximum biomass production of 1.90 g L-1, which was 74.67% and 12.61% higher than the raw poultry litter extract (RPPE) and BG11 respectively. Higher NO3-N, NH3-N, and PO4-P removal of 79.51%, 81.82%, and 80.52% respectively were observed in PPLE as compared to RPLE treatment. The highest biomass (140.36 mg L-1 d-1), lipids (38.49 mg L-1 d-1), and carbohydrates (49.55 mg L-1 d-1) productivities were observed in the PPLE medium. The application of LEA as a fertilizer for mung bean crops showed improvement in plant growth and soil microbial activity. A maximum increase in organic carbon (59.5%) and dehydrogenase activity (130.8%) was observed in LEA amended soil which was significantly higher than chemical fertilizer (CF) control in 30 days. Whilst plant fresh weight and leaf chlorophyll in the LEA amended soil was comparable to whole algal biomass (WA) and CF control. The strategy developed could be a basis for sustainable biorefinery for the valorization of wastewater for the production of microalgae-derived biofuel and byproducts for agricultural application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pfano Musetsho
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Nirmal Renuka
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Abhishek Guldhe
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa; Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Mumbai 410206, India
| | - Poonam Singh
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Kriveshin Pillay
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Ismail Rawat
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa.
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23
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Abunama T, Moodley T, Abualqumboz M, Kumari S, Bux F. Variability of leachate quality and polluting potentials in light of leachate pollution index (LPI) - A global perspective. Chemosphere 2021; 282:131119. [PMID: 34470164 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
From a holistic perspective, this review is the first to comprehensively assess and characterise leachate quality from waste disposal facilities (WDFs), landfills and dumpsites, located in 61 countries worldwide. A continent wise grouping approach was adopted to identify the variability of leachate quality and polluting abilities in light of leachate pollution index (LPI). The literature data on leachate quality included 428 samples, with eighteen leachate parameters, classified under, organic, inorganic, and heavy metals. Statistically significant differences in LPI were found between different continents and WDFs demographic data, i.e., type, status, age, rainfall, etc. A negative correlation was found between pH and the majority of studied parameters, especially for heavy metals such as Pb, Zn, As, Hg, Cy, as the decrease in pH intensifies heavy metals' solubility. Based on the studied worldwide leachate data and WDFs age, an LPI rating was identified, where high, intermediate, and low contaminated leachate are typically classified with having an average of 26.5, 23.6 and 17.5, respectively. The provided database in this review could be of great importance in establishing a more comprehensive global databank by including other countries- and site-specific factors that are vital in enhancing the accuracy of LPI and formatting a more representative leachate diagnosis index.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taher Abunama
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
| | - Tyrone Moodley
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
| | - Motasem Abualqumboz
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Sheena Kumari
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa.
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24
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Renuka N, Ratha SK, Kader F, Rawat I, Bux F. Insights into the potential impact of algae-mediated wastewater beneficiation for the circular bioeconomy: A global perspective. J Environ Manage 2021; 297:113257. [PMID: 34303940 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Algae-based technologies are one of the emerging solutions to societal issues such as accessibility to clean water and carbon-neutral energy and are a contender for the circular bioeconomy. In this review, recent developments in the use of different algal species for nutrient recovery and biomass production in wastewater, challenges, and future perspectives have been addressed. The ratio and bioavailability of nutrients in wastewater are vital parameters, which significantly impact nutrient recovery efficiency and algal biomass production. However, the optimum nutrient concentration and ratio may vary depending upon the microalgal species as well as cultivation conditions. The use of indigenous algae and algae-based consortia with other microorganisms has been proved promising in improving nutrient recovery efficiency and biomass production in pilot scale operations. However, environmental and cultivation conditions also play a significant role in determining the feasibility of the process. This review further focused on the assessment of the potential benefits of algal biomass production, renewable biofuel generation, and CO2 sequestration using wastewater in different countries on the basis of available data on wastewater generation and estimated nutrient contents. It was estimated that 5-10% replacement of fossil crude requirement with algal biofuels would require ~952-1903 billion m3 of water, 10-21 billion tons of nitrogen, and 2-4 billion tons of phosphorus fertilizers. In this context, coupling wastewater treatment and algal biomass production seem to be the most sustainable option with potential global benefits of polishing wastewater through nutrients recycling and carbon dioxide sequestration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirmal Renuka
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Sachitra Kumar Ratha
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa; Phycology Laboratory, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226001, India
| | - Farzana Kader
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Ismail Rawat
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa.
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25
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Mogany T, Bhola V, Ramanna L, Bux F. Photosynthesis and pigment production: elucidation of the interactive effects of nutrients and light on Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 2021; 45:187-201. [PMID: 34668053 DOI: 10.1007/s00449-021-02651-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii produces a variety of compounds that can be beneficial to human and animal health. Among these compounds, application of photosynthetic pigments, such as chlorophylls and carotenoids, has gained considerable interest in numerous industries. A better understanding on the interactive effects of essential nutrients and light on microalgal physiology and pigment production would be beneficial in improving cultivation strategies. Therefore, this study evaluated biomass, carotenoid and chlorophyll yield and the following fluorescence parameters: quantum yield in PS II [Y(II)] and electron transport rate (ETR) using response surface methodology (RSM). The Fv/Fm, Y(NO) and Y(NPQ) were also monitored; however, no significant relationship was observed. From the investigation it was apparent that nitrogen and carbon; as well as the interactive effects of (nitrogen and carbon) and (carbon and light irradiance) were significant factors. The model predicted the optimum conditions for maximum carotenoids (8.15 ± 0.389 mg g-1) were 08.7 mol l-1 of nitrogen, 0.2 mol l-1 and 50 μmol photon m-2 s-1 of light irradiance. While maximum chlorophyll (33.6 ± 0.854 mg g-1) required a higher nitrogen (11.21 mol l-1). The photosynthetic parameters [Y(II), ETR] was correlated with the primary pigments and biomass production. Increased photosynthetic activity was associated with high carbon and light. The Y(II)and ETR of PSII under these conditions were 0.2 and ~ 14, respectively. This approach was accurate in developing the model, optimizing factors and analysing interaction effects. This study served to provide a better understanding on the interactions between factors influencing pigment biosynthesis and photosynthetic performance of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trisha Mogany
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4001, South Africa
| | - Virthie Bhola
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4001, South Africa
| | - Luveshan Ramanna
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4001, South Africa
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4001, South Africa.
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26
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Reddy K, Renuka N, Kumari S, Bux F. Algae-mediated processes for the treatment of antiretroviral drugs in wastewater: Prospects and challenges. Chemosphere 2021; 280:130674. [PMID: 34162077 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of pharmaceuticals (PCs), especially antiretroviral (ARV) drugs in various aquatic ecosystems has been expansively reported, wherein wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are identified as the primary point source. Consequently, the occurrence, ecotoxicity and treatment of ARV drugs in WWTPs have drawn much attention in recent years. Numerous studies have shown that the widely employed activated sludge-based WWTPs are incapable of removing ARV drugs efficiently from wastewater. Recently, algae-based wastewater treatment processes have shown promising results in PCs removal from wastewater, either completely or partially, through different processes such as biosorption, bioaccumulation, and intra-/inter-cellular degradation. Algal species have also shown to tolerate high concentrations of ARV drugs than the reported concentrations in the environmental matrices. In this review, emphasis has been given on discussing the current status of the occurrence of ARV drugs in the aquatic environment and WWTPs. Besides, the current trends and future perspectives of PCs removal by algae are critically reviewed and discussed. The potential pathways and mechanisms of ARV drugs removal by algae have also been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Reddy
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Nirmal Renuka
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Sheena Kumari
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa.
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27
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Pillay L, Amoah ID, Deepnarain N, Pillay K, Awolusi OO, Kumari S, Bux F. Monitoring changes in COVID-19 infection using wastewater-based epidemiology: A South African perspective. Sci Total Environ 2021; 786:147273. [PMID: 33965818 PMCID: PMC8062404 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring of COVID-19 infections within communities via wastewater-based epidemiology could provide a cost-effective alternative to clinical testing. This approach, however, still requires improvement for its efficient application. In this paper, we present the use of wastewater-based epidemiology in monitoring COVID-19 infection dynamics in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa, focusing on four wastewater treatment plants for 14 weeks. The SARS-CoV-2 viral load in influent wastewater was determined using droplet digital PCR, and the number of people infected was estimated using published models as well as using a modified model to improve efficiency. On average, viral loads ranged between 0 and 2.73 × 105 copies/100 ml, 0-1.52 × 105 copies/100 ml, 3 × 104-7.32 × 105 copies/100 ml and 1.55 × 104-4.12 × 105 copies/100 ml in the four wastewater treatment plants studied. The peak in viral load corresponded to the reported COVID-19 infections within the districts where these catchments are located. In addition, we also observed that easing of lockdown restrictions by authorities corresponded with an increase in viral load in the untreated wastewater. Estimation of infection numbers based on the viral load showed that a higher number of people could potentially be infected, compared to the number of cases reported based on clinical testing. The findings reported in this paper contribute to the field of wastewater-based epidemiology for COVID-19 surveillance, whilst highlighting some of the challenges associated with this approach, especially in developing countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leanne Pillay
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Isaac Dennis Amoah
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Nashia Deepnarain
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Kriveshin Pillay
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Oluyemi Olatunji Awolusi
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Sheena Kumari
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa.
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28
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Abunama T, Ansari M, Awolusi OO, Gani KM, Kumari S, Bux F. Fuzzy inference optimization algorithms for enhancing the modelling accuracy of wastewater quality parameters. J Environ Manage 2021; 293:112862. [PMID: 34049159 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
To ensure the safe discharge of treated wastewater to the environment, continuous efforts are vital to enhance the modelling accuracy of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) through utilizing state-of-art techniques and algorithms. The integration of metaheuristic modern optimization algorithms that are natlurally inspired with the Fussy Inference Systems (FIS) to improve the modelling performance is a promising and mathematically suitable approach. This study integrates four population-based algorithms, namely: Particle swarm optimization (PSO), Genetic algorithm (GA), Hybrid GA-PSO, and Mutating invasive weed optimization (M-IWO) with FIS system. A full-scale WWTP in South Africa (SA) was selected to assess the validity of the proposed algorithms, where six wastewater effluent parameters were modeled, i.e., Alkalinity (ALK), Sulphate (SLP), Phosphate (PHS), Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD). The results from this study showed that the hybrid PSO-GA algorithm outperforms the PSO and GA algorithms when used individually, in modelling all wastewater effluent parameters. PSO performed better for SLP and TKN compared to GA, while the M-IWO algorithm failed to provide an acceptable modelling convergence for all the studied parameters. However, three out of four algorithms applied in this study proven beneficial to be optimized in enhancing the modelling accuracy of wastewater quality parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taher Abunama
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, PO Box, 1334, South Africa.
| | - Mozafar Ansari
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Oluyemi Olatunji Awolusi
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, PO Box, 1334, South Africa.
| | - Khalid Muzamil Gani
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, PO Box, 1334, South Africa.
| | - Sheena Kumari
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, PO Box, 1334, South Africa.
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, PO Box, 1334, South Africa.
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Ansari FA, Guldhe A, Gupta SK, Rawat I, Bux F. Improving the feasibility of aquaculture feed by using microalgae. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2021; 28:43234-43257. [PMID: 34173144 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14989-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The aquaculture industry is an efficient edible protein producer and grows faster than any other food sector. Therefore, it requires enormous amounts of fish feed. Fish feed directly affects the quality of produced fish, potential health benefits, and cost. Fish meal (FM), fis oil (FO), and plant-based supplements, predominantly used in fish feed, face challenges of low availability, low nutritional value, and high cost. The cost associated with aquaculture feed represents 40-75% of aquaculture production cost and one of the key market drivers for the thriving aquaculture industry. Microalgae are a primary producer in aquatic food chains. Microalgae are expanding continuously in renewable energy, pharmaceutical pigment, wastewater treatment, food, and feed industries. Major components of microalgal biomass are proteins with essential amino acids, lipids with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), carbohydrates, pigments, and other bioactive compounds. Thus, microalgae can be used as an essential, viable, and alternative feed ingredient in aquaculture feed. In recent times, live algae culture, whole algae, and lipid-extracted algae (LEA) have been tested in fish feed for growth, physiological activity, and nutritional value. The present review discusses the potential application of microalgae in aquaculture feed, its mode of application, nutritional value, and possible replacement of conventional feed ingredients, and disadvantages of plant-based feed. The review also focuses on integrated processes such as algae cultivation in aquaculture wastewater, aquaponics systems, challenges, and future prospects of using microalgae in the aquafeed industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faiz Ahmad Ansari
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P O Box1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Abhishek Guldhe
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Mumbai, India
| | - Sanjay Kumar Gupta
- Environmental Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, India
| | - Ismail Rawat
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P O Box1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P O Box1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa.
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30
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Amoah ID, Pillay L, Deepnarian N, Awolusi O, Pillay K, Ramlal P, Kumari S, Bux F. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on contact surfaces within shared sanitation facilities. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2021; 236:113807. [PMID: 34265632 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-89199/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Contamination of contact surfaces with SARS-CoV-2 has been reported as a potential route for the transmission of COVID-19. This could be a major issue in developing countries where access to basic sanitation is poor, leading to the sharing of toilet facilities. In this study, we report SARS-CoV-2 contamination of key contact surfaces in shared toilets and the probabilistic risks of COVID-19 infections based on detection and quantification of the nucleic acid on the surfaces. We observed that 54-69% of the contact surfaces were contaminated, with SARS-CoV-2 loads ranging from 28.1 to 132.7 gene copies per cm2. Toilet seats had the highest contamination, which could be attributed to shedding of the virus in feces and urine. We observed a significant reduction in viral loads on the contaminated surfaces after cleaning, showing the potential of effective cleaning on the reduction of contamination. The pattern of contamination indicates that the most contaminated surfaces are those that are either commonly touched by users of the shared toilets or easily contaminated with feces and urine. These surfaces were the toilet seats, cistern handles and tap handles. The likelihood (probability) of infection with COVID-19 on these surfaces was highest on the toilet seat (1.76 × 10-4(1.58 × 10-6)) for one time use of the toilet. These findings highlight the potential risks for COVID-19 infections in the event that intact infectious viral particles are deposited on these contact surfaces. Therefore, this study shows that shared toilet facilities in densely populated areas could lead to an increase in risks of COVID-19 infections. This calls for the implementation of risk reduction measures, such as regular washing of hands with soap, strict adherence to wearing face masks, and effective and regular cleaning of shared facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac Dennis Amoah
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Leanne Pillay
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Nashia Deepnarian
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Oluyemi Awolusi
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Kriveshin Pillay
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Preshod Ramlal
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, 4001, South Africa; eThekwini Health Department, eThekwini Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, 4001, South Africa
| | - Sheena Kumari
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa.
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Mthethwa NP, Amoah ID, Reddy P, Bux F, Kumari S. A review on application of next-generation sequencing methods for profiling of protozoan parasites in water: Current methodologies, challenges, and perspectives. J Microbiol Methods 2021; 187:106269. [PMID: 34129906 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2021.106269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The advancement in metagenomic techniques has provided novel tools for profiling human parasites in environmental matrices, such as water and wastewater. However, application of metagenomic techniques for the profiling of protozoan parasites in environmental matrices is not commonly reported in the literature. The key factors leading to the less common use of metagenomics are the complexity and large eukaryotic genome, the prevalence of small parasite populations in environmental samples compared to bacteria, difficulties in extracting DNA from (oo)cysts, and limited reference databases for parasites. This calls for further research to develop optimized methods specifically looking at protozoan parasites in the environment. This study reviews the current workflow, methods and provide recommendations for the standardization of techniques. The article identifies and summarizes the key methods, advantages, and limitations associated with metagenomic analysis, like sample pre-processing, DNA extraction, sequencing approaches, and analysis methods. The study enhances the understanding and application of standardized protocols for profiling of protozoan parasite community from highly complexe samples and further creates a resourceful comparison among datasets without any biases.
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Affiliation(s)
- N P Mthethwa
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban 4000, South Africa; Department of Community Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - I D Amoah
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - P Reddy
- Department of Community Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - F Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - S Kumari
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban 4000, South Africa.
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Govender R, Amoah ID, Adegoke AA, Singh G, Kumari S, Swalaha FM, Bux F, Stenström TA. Identification, antibiotic resistance, and virulence profiling of Aeromonas and Pseudomonas species from wastewater and surface water. Environ Monit Assess 2021; 193:294. [PMID: 33893564 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-021-09046-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Aquatic environments are hotspots for the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes due to pollution caused mainly by anthropogenic activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of wastewater effluents, informal settlements, hospital, and veterinary clinic discharges on the occurrence, antibiotic resistance profile and virulence signatures of Aeromonas spp. and Pseudomonas spp. isolated from surface water and wastewater. High counts of Aeromonas spp. (2.5 (± 0.8) - 3.3 (± 0.4) log10 CFU mL-1) and Pseudomonas spp. (0.6 (± 1.0) - 1.8 (± 1.0) log10 CFU mL-1) were obtained. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and MALDI-TOF characterization identified four species of Aeromonas and five of Pseudomonas. The isolates displayed resistance to 3 or more antibiotics (71% of Aeromonas and 94% of Pseudomonas). Aeromonas spp. showed significant association with the antibiotic meropenem (χ2 = 3.993, P < 0.05). The virulence gene aer in Aeromonas was found to be positively associated with the antibiotic resistance gene blaOXA (χ2 = 6.657, P < 0.05) and the antibiotic ceftazidime (χ2 = 7.537, P < 0.05). Aeromonas recovered from both wastewater and surface water displayed high resistance to ampicillin and had higher multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) indices close to the hospital. Pseudomonas isolates on the other hand exhibited low resistance to carbapenems but very high resistance to the third-generation cephalosporins and cefixime. The results showed that some of the Pseudomonas spp. and Aeromonas spp. isolates were extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing bacteria. In conclusion, the strong association between virulence genes and antibiotic resistance in the isolates shows the potential health risk to communities through direct and indirect exposure to the water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reshme Govender
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Kwa-Zulu Natal 4001, Durban, South Africa
| | - Isaac Dennis Amoah
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Kwa-Zulu Natal 4001, Durban, South Africa
| | - Anthony Ayodeji Adegoke
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Kwa-Zulu Natal 4001, Durban, South Africa
| | - Gulshan Singh
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Kwa-Zulu Natal 4001, Durban, South Africa
| | - Sheena Kumari
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Kwa-Zulu Natal 4001, Durban, South Africa.
| | - Feroz Mahomed Swalaha
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Kwa-Zulu Natal 4001, Durban, South Africa
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Kwa-Zulu Natal 4001, Durban, South Africa
| | - Thor Axel Stenström
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Kwa-Zulu Natal 4001, Durban, South Africa
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Gani KM, Hlongwa N, Abunama T, Kumari S, Bux F. Emerging contaminants in South African water environment- a critical review of their occurrence, sources and ecotoxicological risks. Chemosphere 2021; 269:128737. [PMID: 33153841 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The release of emerging contaminants (ECs) to the environment is a serious concern due to its health implications on humans, aquatic species, and the development of anti-microbial resistance. This review focuses on the critical analysis of available literature on the prevalence of ECs in the aquatic environment and their removal from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in South Africa. Besides, a risk assessment is performed on the reported ECs from the South African surface water to augment the knowledge towards mitigation of EC pollution, and prioritisation of ECs to assist future monitoring plans and regulation framework. A zone wise classification approach was carried out to identify the spatial inferences and data deficiencies that revealed a non-uniformity in the monitoring of ECs throughout South Africa, with few zones rendering no data. The overarching data mining further revealed that unmanaged urine diverted toilets could be a potential source of EC pollution to groundwater in South Africa. Based on the available literature, it can be deduced that the complete adoption of EC management practices from developed countries might only contribute partly in the mitigation of EC pollution in South Africa. Therefore, an EC monitoring programme specific to the country is recommended which should be based on their occurrence levels, sources and removal in WWTPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalid Muzamil Gani
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Nhlanhla Hlongwa
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa; Department of Chemistry, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Taher Abunama
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Sheena Kumari
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa.
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Kosgey K, Chandran K, Gokal J, Kiambi SL, Bux F, Kumari S. Critical Analysis of Biomass Retention Strategies in Mainstream and Sidestream ANAMMOX-Mediated Nitrogen Removal Systems. Environ Sci Technol 2021; 55:9-24. [PMID: 33350826 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c00276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
ANAMMOX (anaerobic ammonium oxidation) represents an energy-efficient process for biological nitrogen removal, particularly from wastewater streams with low chemical oxygen demand (COD) to nitrogen (C/N) ratios. Its widespread application, however, is still hampered by a lack of access to biomass-enriched with ANAMMOX bacteria (AMX), slow growth rates of AMX, and their sensitivity to inhibition. Although the coupling of ANAMMOX processes with partial nitrification is already widespread, especially for sidestream treatment, maintaining a functional population density of AMX remains a challenge in these systems. Therefore, strategies that maximize retention of AMX-rich biomass are essential to promote process stability. This paper reviews existing methods of biomass retention in ANAMMOX-mediated systems, focusing on (i) granulation; (ii) biofilm formation on carrier materials; (iii) gel entrapment; and (iv) membrane technology in mainstream and sidestream systems. In addition, the microbial ecology of different ANAMMOX-mediated systems is reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiprotich Kosgey
- Durban University of Technology, Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban, South Africa
- Durban University of Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Durban, South Africa
| | - Kartik Chandran
- Columbia University, Earth and Environmental Engineering, New York, New York, United States
| | - Jashan Gokal
- Durban University of Technology, Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban, South Africa
| | - Sammy Lewis Kiambi
- Durban University of Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Durban, South Africa
| | - Faizal Bux
- Durban University of Technology, Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban, South Africa
| | - Sheena Kumari
- Durban University of Technology, Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban, South Africa
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Dall’Oglio D, Garcia M, Fiorio J, de Abreu W, Pereira L, Braga A, de Moura E, Guldhe A, Bux F, de Moura C. Reusable Heterogeneous SnO2/ZnO Catalyst for Biodiesel Production from Acidified/Acid Oils. J BRAZIL CHEM SOC 2021. [DOI: 10.21577/0103-5053.20200167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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Zhang G, Ngo HH, Peng Y, Bux F, Mannina G. Biological nutrients removal and recovery. Bioresour Technol 2021; 320:124377. [PMID: 33186800 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.124377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Guangming Zhang
- School of Energy & Environmental Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, China.
| | - Huu Hao Ngo
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Yongzheng Peng
- School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China.
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, South Africa.
| | - Giorgio Mannina
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Ambientale, Aerospaziale, dei Materiali Università di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 8, 90128 Palermo, Italy.
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Govender R, Amoah ID, Kumari S, Bux F, Stenström TA. Detection of multidrug resistant environmental isolates of acinetobacter and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia: a possible threat for community acquired infections? J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng 2020; 56:213-225. [PMID: 33378222 DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2020.1865747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Acinetobacter spp. and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia are bacteria commonly associated with infections at the clinical settings. Reports of infections caused by environmental isolates are rare. Therefore, this study focused on determination of the antibiotic resistance patterns, antibiotic resistance genes, efflux pumps and virulence signatures of Acinetobacter spp. and S. maltophilia recovered from river water, plant rhizosphere and river sediment samples. The isolates were identified and confirmed using biochemical tests and PCR. The antimicrobial resistance profiles of the isolates were determined using Kirby Bauer disk diffusion assay and presence of antibiotic resistance and virulence genes were detected using PCR. S. maltophilia was more frequent in plant rhizosphere and sediment samples than the water samples. Acinetobacter spp. were mostly resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (96% of isolates), followed by polymyxin b (86%), cefixime (54%), colistin (42%), ampicillin (35%) and meropenem (19%). The S. maltophilia isolates displayed total resistance (100%) to trimethoprim- sulfamethoxazole, meropenem, imipenem, ampicillin and cefixime, while 80% of the isolates were resistant to ceftazidime. Acinetobacter spp. contained different antibiotic resistance genes such as sul1 (24% of isolates), sul2 (29%), blaOXA 23/51 (21%) and blaTEM (29%), while S. maltophilia harbored sul1 (8%) and blaTEM (20%). Additionally, efflux pump genes were present in all S. maltophilia isolates. The presence of multidrug resistant Acinetobacter spp. and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia in surface water raises concerns for community-acquired infections as this water is directly been used by the community for various purposes. Therefore, there is the need to institute measures aimed at reducing the risks of these infections and the resulting burden this may have on the health care system within the study area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reshme Govender
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
| | - Isaac D Amoah
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
| | - Sheena Kumari
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
| | - Thor A Stenström
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
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Ratha SK, Renuka N, Rawat I, Bux F. Prospective options of algae-derived nutraceuticals as supplements to combat COVID-19 and human coronavirus diseases. Nutrition 2020; 83:111089. [PMID: 33412367 PMCID: PMC7680017 DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2020.111089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The outbreak of the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 that has created huge trepidation worldwide, has a mortality rate of 0.5% to 1% and is growing incessantly. There are currently no therapies and/or vaccines that may help abate this viral disease, but the use of masks and social distancing can limit the spread. Boosting immunity has been a simple way to resist viral infection and limit fatalities. In this context, the use of nutraceuticals appears to be a potential panacea. The ability of algae-based nutraceuticals, mainly Spirulina, to boost immunity against viral diseases has already been reported clinically. Spirulina-based nutraceuticals boost the adaptive and innate immunity, and bioactive compounds, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor peptides, phycobiliproteins, sulfated polysaccharides, and calcium-Spirulan, can serve as antiviral agents. The presence of these molecules indicates its potential role in resisting infection and COVID-19 disease progression. This review focuses on the potential role of algal nutraceuticals as immune boosters to combat the human coronavirus and other viral diseases. The potential use of Spirulina-based nutraceuticals for combating COVID-19, its mechanism, and future directions have also been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachitra K Ratha
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
| | - Nirmal Renuka
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
| | - Ismail Rawat
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa.
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Mammo FK, Amoah ID, Gani KM, Pillay L, Ratha SK, Bux F, Kumari S. Microplastics in the environment: Interactions with microbes and chemical contaminants. Sci Total Environ 2020; 743:140518. [PMID: 32653705 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are contaminants of emerging concern that have gained considerable attention during the last few decades due to their adverse impact on living organisms and the environment. Recent studies have shown their ubiquitous presence in the environment including the atmosphere, soil, and water. Though several reviews have focused on the occurrence of microplastics in different habitats, little attention has been paid to their interaction with biological and chemical pollutants in the environment. This review therefore presents the state of knowledge on the interaction of MPs with chemicals and microbes in different environments. The distribution of MPs, the association of toxic chemicals with MPs, microbial association with MPs and the microbial-induced fate of MPs in the environment are discussed. The biodegradation and bioaccumulation of MPs by and in microbes and its potential impact on the food chain are also reviewed. The mechanisms driving these interactions and how these, in turn, affect living organisms however are not yet fully understood and require further attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- F K Mammo
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Treatment, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - I D Amoah
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Treatment, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - K M Gani
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Treatment, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - L Pillay
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Treatment, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - S K Ratha
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Treatment, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - F Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Treatment, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - S Kumari
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Treatment, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa.
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Gasa NP, Nnadozie CF, Kosgey K, Bux F, Kumari S. Effect of ammonium to nitrite ratio on reactor performance and microbial population structure in anammox reactors. Environ Technol 2020; 41:3396-3411. [PMID: 31162991 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2019.1610076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) presents an efficient alternative for conventional nitrogen removal process. In this study, the effect of varying Substrate (ammonium to nitrite) ratios on reactor performance and microbial community structures within three anaerobic sequencing batch reactors (ASBRs) was investigated. Three 1 L ASBRs (Reactors 1, 2 and 3) were operated under similar operational conditions. By varying the ammonium to nitrite ratios, a significant variation in nitrogen removal was observed after 170 days of operation: nitrogen removal efficiencies of 67.17 ± 7.29%, 57.13 ± 11.18% and 56.26 ± 17.05% in Reactors 3, 2 and 1 respectively were achieved. Similarly, using quantitative PCR, an overall variation in the population of anammox bacteria, ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB), Nitrospira and copy numbers of nirS, hzo and hzs genes were observed with varying degrees of expression. High throughput sequencing analysis further showed a shift in microbial community structure with an overall increase in population of Planctomycetia from 0.76% to (3%, 25% and 26%) and Betaproteobacteria from 5.38% to (19%, 21% and 43%) within Reactors 1, 2 and 3, respectively. In conclusion, different substrates ratio showed a significant influence on the overall nitrogen removal rate as well as the abundances of the different microbial groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nomalanga P Gasa
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
| | - Chika F Nnadozie
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
- Institute for Water Research, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa
| | - Kiprotich Kosgey
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
| | - Sheena Kumari
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
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Amoah ID, Kumari S, Reddy P, Stenström TA, Bux F. Impact of informal settlements and wastewater treatment plants on helminth egg contamination of urban rivers and risks associated with exposure. Environ Monit Assess 2020; 192:713. [PMID: 33074388 PMCID: PMC7572332 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-020-08660-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The quality of surface water could be influenced by both anthropogenic and natural factors. This study was designed to determine the impact of informal settlement and wastewater treatment plants on helminth egg contamination of urban rivers and the risks associated with everyday use. We also ascertained the accumulation of these eggs in the river sediments. The study was carried out in two rivers in the eThekwini Municipality of South Africa. Grab samples were taken at different points over a 10-month period. Ascaris spp., hookworm, Toxocara spp., Trichuris spp. and Taenia spp. were the helminth eggs detected in both the water column and sediments, with mean Ascaris spp. eggs of 0-6.3 (± 5.1)/L in the water and 0-6.8 (± 5.2)/kg in sediment samples. The helminth egg concentrations showed seasonal variation, probably due to changes in infection levels of the populations or natural factors, such as rainfall. The informal settlements had a greater impact than treated wastewater. For every 10,000 recreational users of the rivers 19 to 58 may be infected under undisturbed conditions, increasing to 29-88 individuals when the riverbed is disturbed. The risk from agricultural use of the rivers was above the tolerable risk values applicable for wastewater reuse, recommended by the World Health Organization. This calls for a re-evaluation of the policies governing surface water quality assessment, where the inclusion of helminth eggs and sediment monitoring will be critical.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac Dennis Amoah
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4000, South Africa.
| | - Sheena Kumari
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Poovendhree Reddy
- Department of Community Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Thor Axel Stenström
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4000, South Africa
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Amoah ID, Kumari S, Bux F. Coronaviruses in wastewater processes: Source, fate and potential risks. Environ Int 2020; 143:105962. [PMID: 32711332 PMCID: PMC7346830 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2020] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The last 17 years have seen three major outbreaks caused by coronaviruses, with the latest outbreak, COVID-19, declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. The frequency of these outbreaks, their mortality and associated disruption to normal life calls for concerted efforts to understand their occurrence and fate in different environments. There is an increased interest in the occurrence of coronaviruses in wastewater from the perspective of wastewater-based epidemiology. However, there is no comprehensive review of the knowledge on coronavirus occurrence, fate and potential transmission in wastewater. This paper, provides a review of the literature on the occurrence of coronaviruses in wastewater treatment processes. We discuss the presence of viral RNA in feces as a result of diarrhoea caused by gastrointestinal infections. We also reviewed the literature on the presence, survival and potential removal of coronaviruses in common wastewater treatment processes. The detection of infectious viral particles in feces of patients raises questions on the potential risks of infection for people exposed to untreated sewage/wastewater. We, therefore, highlighted the potential risk of infection with coronaviruses for workers in wastewater treatment plants and the public that may be exposed through faulty plumbing or burst sewer networks. The mortalities and morbidities associated with the current COVID-19 pandemic warrants a much more focused research on the role of environments, such as wastewater and surface water, in disease transmission. The current wealth of knowledge on coronaviruses in wastewater based on the reviewed literature is scant and therefore calls for further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac Dennis Amoah
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Sheena Kumari
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa.
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa
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Mogany T, Kumari S, Swalaha FM, Bux F. An in silico structural and physiochemical analysis of C-Phycocyanin of halophile Euhalothece sp. ALGAL RES 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2020.102025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Deepnarain N, Nasr M, Amoah ID, Enitan-Folami AM, Reddy P, Stenström TA, Kumari S, Bux F. Impact of sludge bulking on receiving environment using quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA)-based management for full-scale wastewater treatment plants. J Environ Manage 2020; 267:110660. [PMID: 32421681 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
During sludge bulking in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), high amounts of potentially pathogenic bacteria would release into the environment, causing various human-health risks. This is the first study attempting to assess the microbial infections associated with the reuse of WWTP effluents under various bulking conditions. Three common waterborne pathogens, viz., E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, and Mycobacterium, were quantified from full-scale WWTPs using DNA extraction and qPCR at different sludge volume indices (SVIs). The detected pathogens were incorporated into a quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) model to determine the applicability of WWTP discharge for recreational (bathing) activities and agricultural practices. The QMRA exposures were children, women, and men during swimming, and farmers and vegetable consumers during irrigation. Bacterial abundance in the treated wastewater increased in response to SVIs, and the QMRA values at all bulking events exceeded the tolerable risk of one case of infection per 10,000 people per year. Hence, various disinfection scenarios (chlorination, ultraviolet, and ozonation) were hypothetically tested to control the risks associated with pathogenic bacteria, allowing for safe disposal and reuse of the treated effluent. The ultraviolet application provided the highest ability to inactivate the pathogenic bacteria, except for the case of children exposed to Salmonella infection during swimming. The reduction of Mycobacterium infection risks with either chlorination or ozonation showed inefficient results. This study would be helpful for the management of human health risks associated with effluent wastewater containing pathogens, i.e., particularly concerning the case of sludge bulking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nashia Deepnarain
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Mahmoud Nasr
- Sanitary Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University, Alexandria, 21544, Egypt
| | - Isaac Dennis Amoah
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | | | - Poovendhree Reddy
- Department of Community Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, South Africa
| | - Thor Axel Stenström
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Sheena Kumari
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4000, South Africa.
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Ahmad Ansari F, Nasr M, Guldhe A, Kumar Gupta S, Rawat I, Bux F. Techno-economic feasibility of algal aquaculture via fish and biodiesel production pathways: A commercial-scale application. Sci Total Environ 2020; 704:135259. [PMID: 31780174 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The industrialization of integrated algae-aquaculture systems entails appropriate information regarding environmental and economic assessments, field and laboratory analyses, and feasibility studies. Accordingly, Scenedesmus obliquus was cultivated in a raceway pond (300 m3), and the algal biomass was used as a protein source for the growth of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Nile tilapia fish was cultivated in five commercial-scale tanks for 44 weeks, having a productivity of 15-20 kg (live weight)·m-3. Among various algal-based fish meals, the diet containing 7.5% microalgae provided the largest body length (29 cm) and weight (402 g), as well as the optimum growth performance parameters. Scenedesmus obliquus was subjected to lipid extraction, and the defatted biomass was also used as a substitute for fishmeal in diets. Nile tilapia grown using the lipid-extracted algae had improved health status, and the biochemical composition was satisfactory. Further, two scenarios were economically investigated: Case 1, the direct use of algal biomass for fish production, and Case 2, the utilization of algae for biodiesel production followed by the application of residual biomass in fishmeal diets. Based on field experiments and financial information reported in the literature, the two options would offset their initial investment cost within payback periods of 7.5 and 6.8 yr, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faiz Ahmad Ansari
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT), Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Mahmoud Nasr
- Sanitary Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21544, Egypt
| | - Abhishek Guldhe
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT), Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Sanjay Kumar Gupta
- Environmental Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, India
| | - Ismail Rawat
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT), Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT), Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4000, South Africa.
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Gani KM, Nazir FU, Kumari S, Bux F, Kazmi AA. Role of treatment configuration in simultaneous removal of priority phthalic acid esters and nitrogen in a post anoxic integrated biofilm activated sludge system. Sci Total Environ 2020; 702:134733. [PMID: 31734609 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2019] [Revised: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/28/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
To develop future wastewater treatment systems, focus is to improve/investigate existing biological wastewater treatment processes for the concurrent treatment of conventional pollution parameters (essentially nitrogen) and micro pollutants. Majority of the existing biological wastewater treatment systems were not designed for the removal of micro pollutants. This study focuses on understanding the role of treatment configuration for efficient removal of nitrogen and priority phthalic acid esters (PAEs) from real municipal wastewater in an integrated biofilm activated sludge (IBAS) system. The reactor was operated in two phases: Run I, without external carbon source in anoxic reactor and Run II, a nitrogen removal process, with partial diversion of untreated wastewater in anoxic reactor. Nitrogen removal was 70 ± 12% in both operational phases, however, during Run I, removal of PAEs fluctuated with an average removal of 60-78%. Comparatively, removal of PAEs in Run II varied over a smaller range with average removal increased to 89-95%. In both operational scenarios, secondary oxic tank contributed maximum to the overall removal of PAEs in treatment system. Mass balance calculations showed significant contribution of biodegradation towards overall removal of PAEs which was enhanced by the supply of external carbon source. Kinetics and model output supported the PAEs removal performance observed in different reaction environments of IBAS process. A correlation between food to microorganism (F/M) ratio and PAEs removal showed increase in PAEs removal with decrease in F/M ratio. The study showed that treatment configuration and F/M ratio may be one of the guiding parameters for efficient removal of PAEs in biological wastewater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalid Muzamil Gani
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa; Environmental Engineering Group, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand 247667, India.
| | - Firdous Ul Nazir
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Sheena Kumari
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Absar Ahmad Kazmi
- Environmental Engineering Group, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand 247667, India
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Gani KM, Bux F, Kazmi AA. Diethylhexyl phthalate removal in full scale activated sludge plants: Effect of operational parameters. Chemosphere 2019; 234:885-892. [PMID: 31252360 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.06.130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 05/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Removal of emerging contaminants (ECs) is a serious concern in wastewater industry especially for public acceptance of reclaimed water. Diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) is one of the ubiquitous and detectable plasticizers in municipal wastewater across the globe. Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) has prioritized it for the establishment of discharge regulations. A cost-effective strategy, especially for developing nations, may be the re-engineering of the existing biological process for the simultaneous removal of ECs and conventional pollutants. Wastewater treatment plants are one of the main sources for DEHP occurrence in surface water. In this study, possible role of activated sludge process operational parameters in effective removal of DEHP was assessed. Principal component analysis of occurrence data showed dissimilarity with the organic and nutrient characteristics of sewage. DEHP concentration in more than half (55%) of treated wastewater samples was more than environmental quality standard value for inland and surface water bodies (1.3 μg/L). At a mixed liquor suspended solid (MLSS) concentration range of 3461-4972 mg/L, overall removal was 23.9 μg/gMLSS.d (92 ± 6%) with biodegraded portion as 22.4 μg/gMLSS.d (85 ± 4%) and sorbed portion of 1.5 μg/gMLSS.d (7 ± 4%). DEHP removal showed an increasing trend at higher oxygen uptake rates (OUR) of sludge with DEHP removal of 8.1 μg DEHP/gMLSS.d (70 ± 6%), in the OUR range of 20-28mgO2/L/h. Increase in overall removal of DEHP showed a positive correlation (r2 = 0.7) with increasing sludge retention time (SRT) and so does the decreasing food to microorganism (F/M) ratio with increasing removal of DEHP (r2 = 0.8). A temperature decrease of 13 °C caused a decrease of 30% in overall removal of DEHP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalid Muzamil Gani
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa; Environmental Engineering Group, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee Uttrakhand, 247667, India.
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Absar Ahmad Kazmi
- Environmental Engineering Group, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee Uttrakhand, 247667, India
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Faleye AC, Adegoke AA, Ramluckan K, Fick J, Bux F, Stenström TA. Concentration and reduction of antibiotic residues in selected wastewater treatment plants and receiving waterbodies in Durban, South Africa. Sci Total Environ 2019; 678:10-20. [PMID: 31075576 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.04.410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2019] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
In the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa the incidence of resistant tuberculosis, upper respiratory tract diseases as well as diarrhoeal and parasitic infections is high. Treatment of these diseases with antibiotics is partly reflected by the excretion of the respective antibiotics and their subsequent occurrence in wastewater. Their quantitative reduction in wastewater treatment reflects their potential environmental as well as human impact, the latter due to the use of the recipient water for domestic purposes and for irrigation. Information of the occurrence and reduction of different classes of antibiotics in wastewater treatment is sparse, especially the particle bound fraction of these. Due to this, analyses of aqueous and particle bound antibiotics in untreated wastewater of four selected wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and their receiving water bodies was carried out in Durban, South Africa. The treatment step especially considered was the biological one, represented by activated sludge and trickling filters. The treatment further included secondary clarifiers and final chlorine disinfection. Composite samples were collected during the period February 2017 to May 2017 and analysed with online solid phase extraction - high performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (SPE-HPLC-MS). For the 13 assessed antibiotics, the limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) ranged from 0.07 to 0.33 ng L-1 and 0.23 to 1.09 ng L-1 respectively, while the total percentage recovery was in the range of 51 to 111%. The percentage of individual antibiotics bound to the particulate fraction normally lost by sample (influent) filtration, if not analysed in parallel, was in the range of 2.6%-97.3% (n = 32). In this fraction (sludge from centrifuge sample), the concentration of bound antibiotics of all the target antibiotics were detected in the influent of all WWTP in concentration ranges between 1.3 ng L-1 (Azithromycin; AZI) to 81,748 ng L-1 (Ciprofloxacin; CIP). The antibiotics with the highest median concentrations in receiving water bodies of the respective WWTP were; Sulfamethoxazole; SUL (239 ng L-1) WWTP "K", Ciprofloxacin; CIP (708 ng L-1) WWTP "S" and Albendazole; ALB (325 ng L-1 and 683 ng L-1) WWTP "P" and "I" respectively. The overall percentage removal efficiency for the four WWTPs ranged from 21% to 100%. The biological treatment steps, activated sludge and trickling filters, were effective in removing antibiotics especially with the trickling filter and the impact of the sedimentation stage after activated sludge treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C Faleye
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa.
| | - A A Adegoke
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa; Department of Microbiology, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria
| | - K Ramluckan
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
| | - Jerker Fick
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, Sweden
| | - F Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
| | - T A Stenström
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
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Ansari FA, Ravindran B, Gupta SK, Nasr M, Rawat I, Bux F. Techno-economic estimation of wastewater phycoremediation and environmental benefits using Scenedesmus obliquus microalgae. J Environ Manage 2019; 240:293-302. [PMID: 30953982 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.03.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Revised: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the dual application of Scenedesmus obliquus for wastewater phycoremediation and biochemical component accumulation in microalgal cells. The microalgae grown in wastewater showed micro-elements uptake and removal efficiencies of 71.2 ± 3.5% COD, 81.9 ± 3.8% NH4+, ∼100.0% NO3-, and 94.1 ± 4.7% PO43-. The growth profile of Scenedesmus obliquus indicated a specific growth rate of 0.42 ± 0.02 1·d-1 and carrying capacity of 0.88 ± 0.04 g L-1. The lipid, protein, and carbohydrate yields (w·w-1 of dry weight) were 26.5 ± 1.5%, 28.5 ± 1.5%, and 27.5 ± 1.6%, respectively. The de-oiled biomass was subjected to biochemical extraction, achieving protein and carbohydrate yields of 25.3 ± 1.4% and 21.4 ± 1.2%, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed several functional groups (e.g., NH, CH3, CH2, CO, CN, PO, and SiO) on the biomass surface, confirming the accumulation of biochemical elements in microalgae. The thermal analysis of microalgal biomass depicted sequential stages of dehydration (60-190 °C), devolatilization (200-490 °C), and solid residue decomposition (490-600 °C). The cost-benefit analysis of microalgae cultivated in wastewater was derived regarding amortization and operating costs and energy and environmental benefits. The net profit of phycoremediation was 16885 US$·y-1, resulting in a payback period of 14.8 years (i.e., shorter than the project lifetime). Accordingly, the proposed phycoremediation process was economically viable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faiz Ahmad Ansari
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT), Durban University of Technology, South Africa
| | - Balasubramani Ravindran
- Department of Environmental Energy and Engineering, Kyonggi University, Suwon, 16227, Republic of Korea
| | - Sanjay Kumar Gupta
- Environmental Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, India
| | - Mahmoud Nasr
- Sanitary Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University, 21544, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Ismail Rawat
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT), Durban University of Technology, South Africa
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT), Durban University of Technology, South Africa.
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Adeyemo FE, Singh G, Reddy P, Bux F, Stenström TA. Efficiency of chlorine and UV in the inactivation of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in wastewater. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0216040. [PMID: 31083664 PMCID: PMC6513095 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Wastewater from different sources is contaminated by protozoan parasites including Cryptosporidium and Giardia. Many protozoan parasites are becoming resistant to chemical treatment. The challenge of finding alternatives is presented to researchers by exploring other methods of eliminating protozoan parasites from wastewater. The aim of this study was to assess the speciation and the viability of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in environmental samples with the specific objective of evaluating if effluent chlorination and UV affect the viability. Different doses of chlorine with different exposure times were experimented with both distilled water and waste water spiked with (oo)cysts derived from environmental samples. UV irradiation at different doses was also experimented using the same spiked samples. Two methods of quantification and detection, namely, microscopy and flow cytometry, were used in the experiment. Two vital dyes, Syto-9+PI and DAPI+PI, were the used for staining the collected wastewater samples. It was found that the (oo)cysts responded to chlorination and UV treatments with Giardia responding better than Cryptosporidium. Giardia responded very well to UV irradiations with almost 0 percent remaining viable after a low dose of UV. Cryptosporidium was found to be resistant to chlorination even at high doses but responded well to high UV doses. DAPI+PI dye gave a lower mean percentage viability values than Syto-9+PI. Flow cytometry gave higher mean percentage than microscopy from the results. It is concluded that UV is a promising alternative to Chlorine in removing Cryptosporidium and Giardia from waste water. Appropriate treatment method for wastewater is necessary to minimize water resources pollution when wastewater is released into water systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Folasade Esther Adeyemo
- SARChI Chair, Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT), Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
- Department of Community Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
- * E-mail: ,
| | - Gulshan Singh
- SARChI Chair, Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT), Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
| | - Poovendhree Reddy
- Department of Community Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
| | - Faizal Bux
- SARChI Chair, Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT), Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
| | - Thor Axel Stenström
- SARChI Chair, Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT), Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
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