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Journal article
Impact of Sediment Concentration on the Survival of Wastewater-Derived bla(CTX-M-15)-Producing E. coli, and the Implications for Dispersal into Estuarine Waters
International journal of environmental research and public health, Vol.17(20), 7608
2020
PMID: 33086623
Abstract
The environmental cycling of antibiotic-resistant bla(CTX-M-15)-producing E. coli following release from wastewater treatment plants is a major public health concern. This study aimed to (i) assess the impact of sediment concentrations on the rate of their inactivation following release from human wastewater into freshwater, and (ii) simulate their subsequent dispersal to the nearby coastline during a "worst-case" event where heavy rainfall coincided with high spring tide in the Conwy Estuary, North Wales. Freshwater microcosms of low, medium and high turbidity were inoculated with bla(CTX-M-15)-producing E. coli, then exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Typical regional wintertime exposure to UV was found to be insufficient to eradicate E. coli, and in highly turbid water, many bacteria survived simulated typical regional summertime UV exposure. Modelling results revealed that bla(CTX-M-15)-producing E. coli concentrations reduced downstream from the discharge source, with similar to 30% of the source concentration capable of dispersing through the estuary to the coast, taking similar to 36 h. Offshore, the concentration simulated at key shellfisheries and bathing water sites ranged from 1.4% to 10% of the upstream input, depending on the distance offshore and tidal regime, persisting in the water column for over a week. Our work indicates that the survival of such organisms post-release into freshwater is extended under typical wintertime conditions, which could ultimately have implications for human health.
Details
- Title
- Impact of Sediment Concentration on the Survival of Wastewater-Derived bla(CTX-M-15)-Producing E. coli, and the Implications for Dispersal into Estuarine Waters
- Authors/Creators
- Yasir M. Bashawri - Bangor UniversityPeter Robins - Bangor UniversityDavid M. Cooper - Ctr Ecol & Hydrol Environm Ctr Wales, Bangor LL57 2UW, Gwynedd, WalesJames E. McDonald - Bangor UniversityDavey L. Jones - Bangor UniversityA. Prysor Williams - Bangor University
- Publication Details
- International journal of environmental research and public health, Vol.17(20), 7608
- Publisher
- MDPI
- Number of pages
- 15
- Grant note
- Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia Cultural Bureau 14122 / European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Interreg Ireland-Wales Co-operation Programme 2014-2020 Food Standards Agency (FSA) NE/V010441 / National COVID-19 Wastewater Epidemiology Surveillance Programme NE/M010996/1 / Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) under the Environmental Microbiology and Human Health (EMHH) Programme; UK Research & Innovation (UKRI); Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) NE/V004883/1 / NERC; UK Research & Innovation (UKRI); Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
- Identifiers
- 991005560316507891
- Copyright
- © 2020 by the authors.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Centre for Sustainable Farming Systems
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Citation topics
- 1 Clinical & Life Sciences
- 1.23 Antibiotics & Antimicrobials
- 1.23.146 Antimicrobial Resistance
- Web Of Science research areas
- Environmental Sciences
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
- ESI research areas
- Environment/Ecology