Heavy Metals in Groundwater of Southern Italy: Occurrence and Potential Adverse Effects on the Environment and Human Health

This study reports the data on the contamination caused by heavy metals in the groundwater of the Campania Plain (CP) in Southern Italy. A total of 1093 groundwater samples were obtained from the following aquifers: coastal plains (GAR, VCP, VES, SAR, and SEL), volcanic districts (PHLE and VES), and carbonate massifs (MAS and LAT). In this study, the investigation depth ranged from 5 m (GAR) to 200 m (PHLE). The sequence of heavy metal content in groundwater samples was B > Fe > Al > Mn > Zn > Ba > Ni > As > Cu > V > Se > Pb > Cd. The heavy metal pollution index (HPI) and heavy metal evaluation (HEI) demonstrated that the study areas in which groundwater samples were sampled are not risk zones. Moreover, health risk assessment shows that hazard index (HI) values for heavy metals were found to be significantly low in groundwater samples. In non-carcinogenic risk evaluation for the adult group, the risk was low, whereas for children and infants, the risk was >1 for arsenic alone. Carcinogenic risk assessment (CR) was found lower for adults, children, and infants. The Jenks optimization method was used to evaluate the distribution of heavy metals in the groundwater of CP, and the principal component analysis technique (PCA) was employed to determine the source of heavy metals, and it was found that mixed sources (natural and anthropogenic) may be responsible for heavy metals presence.

Sponge Whirl-Pak Sampling Method and Droplet Digital RT-PCR Assay for Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 on Surfaces in Public and Working Environments

The SARS-CoV-2 can spread directly via saliva, respiratory aerosols and droplets, and indirectly by contact through contaminated objects and/or surfaces and by air. In the context of COVID-19 fomites can be an important vehicle of virus transmission and contribute to infection risk in public environments. The aim of the study was to analyze through surface sampling (sponge method) the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in public and working environments, in order to evaluate the risk for virus transmission. Seventy-seven environmental samples were taken using sterile sponges in 17 animal farms, 4 public transport buses, 1 supermarket and 1 hotel receptive structure. Furthermore, 246 and 93 swab samples were taken in the farms from animals and from workers, respectively. SARS-CoV-2 detection was conducted by real-time RT-PCR and by digital droplet RT-PCR (dd RT-PCR) using RdRp, gene E and gene N as targets. None of the human and animal swab samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2, while detection was achieved in 20 of the 77 sponge samples (26%) using dd RT-PCR. Traces of the RdRp gene, gene E and gene N were found in 17/77 samples (22%, average concentration 31.2 g.c./cm², range 5.6 to 132 g.c./cm²), 8/77 samples (10%, average concentration 15.1 g.c./cm², range 6 to 36 g.c./cm²), and in 1/77 (1%, concentration 7.2 g.c./cm²). Higher detection rates were associated with sampling in animal farms and on public transport buses (32% and 30%) compared to the supermarket (21%) and the hotel (no detection). The result of the study suggests that the risk of contamination of surfaces with SARS-CoV-2 increases in environments in which sanitation strategies are not suitable and/or in highly frequented locations, such as public transportation. Considering the analytical methods, the dd RT-PCR was the only approach achieving detection of SARS-CoV-2 traces in environmental samples. Thus, dd RT-PCR emerges as a reliable tool for sensitive SARS-CoV-2 detection.