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CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Diurnal changes in pathogenic and indicator virus concentrations in wastewater
Environmental science and pollution research international, Vol.30(59), 123795
2023
PMID: 37989946
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has been commonly used for monitoring SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks. As sampling times and methods (i.e. grab vs composite) may vary, diurnal changes of viral concentrations in sewage should be better understood. In this study, we collected untreated wastewater samples hourly for 4 days at two wastewater treatment plants in Wales to establish diurnal patterns in virus concentrations and the physico-chemical properties of the water. Simultaneously, we also trialled three absorbent materials as passive samples as a simple and cost-efficient alternative for the collection of composite samples. Ninety-six percent of all liquid samples (n = 74) and 88% of the passive samplers (n = 59) were positive for SARS-CoV-2, whereas 87% and 97% of the liquid and passive samples were positive for the faecal indicator virus crAssphage, respectively. We found no significant daily variations in the concentration of the target viruses, ammonium and orthophosphate, and the pH and electrical conductivity levels were also stable. Weak positive correlations were found between some physico-chemical properties and viral concentrations. More variation was observed in samples taken from the influent stream as opposed to those taken from the influent tank. Of the absorbent materials trialled as passive samples, we found that tampons provided higher viral recoveries than electronegative filter paper and cotton gauze swabs. For all materials tested, viral recovery was dependent on the virus type. Our results indicate that grab samples may provide representative alternatives to 24-h composite samples if taken from the influent tank, hence reducing the costs of sampling for WBE programmes. Tampons are also viable alternatives for cost-efficient sampling; however, viral recovery should be optimised prior to use.
Details
- Title
- Diurnal changes in pathogenic and indicator virus concentrations in wastewater
- Authors/Creators
- Kata Farkas - Bangor UniversityIgor Pântea - Bangor UniversityNick Woodhall - Bangor UniversityDenis Williams - Bangor UniversityKathryn Lambert-Slosarska - Bangor UniversityRachel C. Williams - Bangor UniversityJasmine M. S. Grimsley - UK Health Security AgencyAndrew C. Singer - UK Centre for Ecology & HydrologyDavey L. Jones - Murdoch University, Centre for Sustainable Farming Systems
- Publication Details
- Environmental science and pollution research international, Vol.30(59), 123795
- Publisher
- Springer Berlin Heidelberg
- Grant note
- Welsh Government European Regional Development Fund (http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100008530) Department of Health and Social Care (http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000276)
- Identifiers
- 991005623668007891
- Copyright
- © 2023 The Author(s)
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Food Futures Institute
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Citation topics
- 1 Clinical & Life Sciences
- 1.104 Virology - General
- 1.104.1353 Coronavirus Research
- Web Of Science research areas
- Environmental Sciences
- ESI research areas
- Environment/Ecology