Article
Environmental Sciences
Vera Reinstadler, Verena Ausweger, Anna-Lena Grabher, Marco Kreidl, Susanne Huber, Julia Grander, Sandra Haslacher, Klaus Singer, Michael Schlapp-Hackl, Manuel Sorg, Harald Erber, Herbert Oberacher
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to lockdowns around the world, including in Tyrol, where these measures helped reduce the spread of the virus but also had significant impacts on society and behavior. Wastewater-based epidemiology was used to study changes in drug consumption patterns during lockdown, revealing shifts in recreational drug and pharmaceutical use. More research is needed to determine whether these changes indicate improved population health or other effects on medical consultations and pharmacy visits.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Chong Xu, Daoping Huang, Dong Li, Yiqi Liu
Summary: The paper introduces a novel complex dynamic independent component analysis (CD-ICA) algorithm for enhanced process monitoring in industries. This algorithm extracts dominant features and applies a new fault detection index to improve monitoring efficiency and has been successfully applied in real chemical and biological process monitoring.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Qiuda Zheng, Cobus Gerber, Kathryn J. J. Steadman, Chun-Yin Lin, Benjamin J. J. Tscharke, Jake William O'Brien, Peter Hobson, Leisa-Maree Toms, Jochen F. F. Mueller, Kevin V. V. Thomas, Phong K. K. Thai
Summary: In wastewater-based epidemiology, anabasine and anatabine have been proposed as specific biomarkers for tobacco use. This study aimed to evaluate their suitability as biomarkers and estimate their excretion factors for wastewater-based epidemiology applications.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Thomas L. Ter Laak, Erik Emke, Annemieke Benschop, Ton Nabben, Frederic Been
Summary: Drug consumption estimates are important for public health and understanding criminal activities. Wastewater analysis can be used to estimate drug consumption and markets. This study in Amsterdam found an increase in consumption of MDMA, cocaine, amphetamine, and methamphetamine using wastewater analysis and other survey methods.
FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhe Wang, Qiuda Zheng, Coral Gartner, Gary C. K. Chan, Yuan Ren, Degao Wang, Phong K. Thai
Summary: Understanding smoking patterns in the population is essential for public health policies, and wastewater-based epidemiology is a valuable tool for estimating tobacco use. This study found that tobacco use was higher in urban areas compared to a university town, with the latter maintaining a stable and lower level of usage. The difference in tobacco use between the two areas may be attributed to demographic factors and the implementation of a Tobacco-Free Campus Policy.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tasneem Afreen Islam
Summary: Climate change poses risks to businesses, but they can find additional adaptation opportunities by working with local governments.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bui Xuan Thanh, Giang T Vu, Tran Thi Thanh Hue, Qiuda Zheng, Gary Chan, Nguyen Thi Kieu Anh, Phong K Thai
Summary: Monitoring the change in tobacco consumption is essential for tobacco control policies. This study used wastewater-based epidemiology to analyze tobacco consumption in Hanoi, Vietnam. The results showed significant differences in nicotine consumption between different periods, although slightly lower than survey data.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Taja Verovsek, Ivona Krizman-Matasic, David Heath, Ester Heath
Summary: Wastewater analysis was used to investigate drug prevalence in educational institutions in Slovenia, revealing nicotine, alcohol, and cannabis as the most commonly used drugs. The level of educational institution was identified as the main factor influencing drug prevalence differences. Despite discrepancies with epidemiological survey data, this non-invasive method provides insights into drug trends among students.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mariana Totino, Constanza M. M. Urdampilleta, Raul Esteban Ithuralde, Lucas A. A. Giono, Andrea E. E. Cabrera, Esteban Lanzarotti, Ruben D. Quintana
Summary: In this study, we developed an innovative and diverse methodology for assessing socio-cultural aspects of ecosystem services. By combining tools from ethnoecology and post-normal science, we aimed to identify ecosystem services from the perspective of local communities, emphasizing the importance of Indigenous and Local Knowledge. We applied this methodology in a case study of three peasant communities in the Dry Chaco eco-region, Argentina, and identified ecosystem services across all categories and their significant contributions to the local way of life. This method is flexible and can be applied in other socio-ecosystems with different environmental and social characteristics.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Phong K. Thai, Benjamin J. Tscharke, Jake W. O'Brien, Qiuda Zheng, Kevin Thomas, Jochen F. Mueller
Summary: The researchers proposed a new correction factor (CF) for the alcohol biomarker ethyl sulfate (EtS) based on comparing sales data with wastewater monitoring data, which improves the accuracy of estimating alcohol consumption. Incorporating both excretion rate and sewer degradation, the new CF enhances the estimation accuracy in wastewater-based epidemiology.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Michael J. Conway, Stephanie Kado, Breanna K. Kooienga, Jacklyn S. Sarette, Michael H. Kirby, Andrew D. Marten, Avery S. Ward, Jackson D. Abel, Steve King, Jacqueline Billette, Maggie R. Williams, Rebecca L. Uzarski, Elizabeth W. Alm
Summary: Central Michigan University (CMU) participated in a statewide SARS-CoV-2 wastewater monitoring program to understand transmission dynamics and the impact of public health policies. Wastewater samples were collected from on-campus and off-campus sites, and the virus shedding was quantified using droplet digital PCR. The study found that on-campus cases and wastewater detection increased rapidly during the delta wave, suggesting a possible effect of higher vaccination rates. However, during the omicron wave, transmission dynamics were similar on-campus and off-campus.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Alexander B. Montgomery, Isaac Bowers, Bikram Subedi
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in community anxiety and stress-related disorders, as well as drug-related emergency admissions and overdose deaths. The disruption in transportation and stay-at-home orders globally impacted the supply and distribution of drugs, affecting prescription and illicit drug users. The study examined trends in the consumption of various illegal and prescription drugs in two communities in the United States during the early months of the pandemic, highlighting changes in consumption rates for different drugs.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Fatma Kursun Baysak
Summary: In this study, Cr/water mixtures containing Cr (III) and Cr (VI) were successfully separated by pervaporation using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and sodium Y (NaY) zeolite membranes. The NaY membrane showed selective permeability for Cr (VI). The results indicated that factors such as zeolite percentage, membrane thickness, Cr concentration, pH, and temperature all influenced rejection and flux.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Tomas de Melo, Golam Islam, Denina B. D. Simmons, Jean-Paul Desaulniers, Andrea E. E. Kirkwood
Summary: Seasonal influenza is an annual public health challenge that strains healthcare systems. However, its population-level prevalence is under-reported using standard clinical surveillance methods. This study demonstrates the utility of wastewater surveillance for influenza A, using existing networks, to selectively interpret disease spread in the pediatric population. The highest correlation was found between influenza A wastewater surveillance data and elementary school absences due to illness, indicating its potential for determining pediatric outbreaks within communities.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Lailson Cesar Andrade Gomes, Patricia Muniz de Medeiros, Ana Paula do Nascimento Prata
Summary: This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the patterns of use of native wild food plants in Brazil. The results showed a predominance of fruit consumption, followed by leaves and seeds. The meta-analysis revealed that reproductive, non-persistent, non-destructive, and parts of woody plants were most commonly used. The concentration of studies in certain regions and biomes highlights the need for more ethnobotanical research in other areas.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Substance Abuse
Iria Gonzalez-Marino, Jose Antonio Baz-Lomba, Nikiforos A. Alygizakis, Maria Jesus Andres-Costa, Richard Bade, Anne Bannwarth, Leon P. Barron, Frederic Been, Lisa Benaglia, Jean-Daniel Berset, Lubertus Bijlsma, Igor Bodik, Asher Brenner, Andreas L. Brock, Daniel A. Burgard, Erika Castrignano, Alberto Celma, Christophoros E. Christophoridis, Adrian Covaci, Olivier Delemont, Pim de Voogt, Damien A. Devault, Mario J. Dias, Erik Emke, Pierre Esseiva, Despo Fatta-Kassinos, Ganna Fedorova, Konstantinos Fytianos, Cobus Gerber, Roman Grabic, Emma Gracia-Lor, Stefan Gruener, Teemu Gunnar, Evroula Hapeshi, Ester Heath, Bjoern Helm, Felix Hernandez, Aino Kankaanpaa, Sara Karolak, Barbara Kasprzyk-Hordern, Ivona Krizman-Matasic, Foon Yin Lai, Wojciech Lechowicz, Alvaro Lopes, Miren Lopez de Alda, Ester Lopez-Garcia, Arndis S. C. Love, Nicola Mastroianni, Gillian L. McEneff, Rosa Montes, Kelly Munro, Thomas Nefau, Herbert Oberacher, Jake W. O'Brien, Reinhard Oertel, Kristin Olafsdottir, Yolanda Pico, Benedek G. Plosz, Fabio Polesel, Cristina Postigo, Jose Benito Quintana, Pedram Ramin, Malcolm J. Reid, Jack Rice, Rosario Rodil, Noelia Salgueiro-Gonzalez, Sara Schubert, Ivan Senta, Susana M. Simoes, Maja M. Sremacki, Katarzyna Styszko, Senka Terzic, Nikolaos S. Thomaidis, Kevin Thomas, Ben J. Tscharke, Robin Udrisard, Alexander L. N. van Nuijs, Viviane Yargeau, Ettore Zuccato, Sara Castiglioni, Christoph Ort
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Emma Gracia-Lor, Ettore Zuccato, Felix Hernandez, Sara Castiglioni
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2020)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Sara Castiglioni, Ettore Zuccato, Elena Fattore, Francesco Riva, Elisa Terzaghi, Roger Koenig, Pamela Principi, Antonio Di Guardo
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Luca Fallati, Sara Castiglioni, Paolo Galli, Francesco Riva, Emma Gracia-Lor, Iria Gonzalez-Marino, Nikolaos I. Rousis, Mohamed Shifah, Maria Cristina Messa, Maria Grazia Strepparava, Marina Vai, Ettore Zuccato
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Milena Milakovic, Gisle Vestergaard, Juan Jose Gonzalez-Plaza, Ines Petric, Josipa Kosic-Vuksic, Ivan Senta, Susanne Kublik, Michael Schloter, Nikolina Udikovic-Kolic
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
L. Bijlsma, R. Bade, F. Been, A. Celma, S. Castiglioni
Summary: New psychoactive substances (NPS) are emerging as legal substitutes to conventional illicit drugs, causing public health concerns. Monitoring NPS use is challenging, but determining NPS in pooled urine and wastewater shows great potential. However, this method also presents analytical challenges and limitations.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Ivan Senta, Sara Rodriguez-Mozaz, Lluis Corominas, Mira Petrovic
TRENDS IN ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ivan Senta, Senka Terzic, Marijan Ahel
Summary: Macrolide antibiotics have been recently added to the EU Watch List of contaminants in the aquatic environment, but a comprehensive assessment of these antibiotics in different environmental compartments is still lacking. In this study, a new method was developed to determine an extended range of macrolide residues in sediment and soil samples, showing that these residues tend to persist in the aquatic environment.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jessica Palladini, Renzo Bagnati, Alice Passoni, Enrico Davoli, Alessia Lanno, Elisa Terzaghi, Parisa Falakdin, Antonio Di Guardo
Summary: Sulfonated and hydroxy-sulfonated PCBs were discovered as new soil contaminants, constituting about 1% of their parent compounds in soil. This study investigated the bioaccumulation of these metabolites, along with hydroxy-PCBs and native PCBs, in earthworms for the first time, finding that the metabolites showed lower accumulation values compared to parent PCBs.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Richard Bade, Jason M. White, Maulik Ghetia, Santosh Adiraju, Sangeet Adhikari, Lubertus Bijlsma, Tim Boogaerts, Daniel A. Burgard, Sara Castiglioni, Alberto Celma, Andrew Chappell, Adrian Covaci, Erin M. Driver, Rolf U. Halden, Felix Hernandez, Heon-Jun Lee, Alexander L. N. van Nuijs, Jeong-Eun Oh, Marco A. Pineda Castro, Noelia Salgueiro-Gonzalez, Bikram Subedi, Xue-Ting Shao, Viviane Yargeau, Ettore Zuccato, Cobus Gerber
Summary: This study focused on 28 NPS stimulants and detected 11 of them, with eutylone and 3-methylmethcathinone (3MMC) being the most commonly found and with the highest mass loads, indicating international popularity. Older generation stimulants like para-methoxyamphetamine (PMA), methylone, and mephedrone were also detected, showing the dynamic nature of the NPS market. Areas in New Zealand were found to have the highest loads of NPS stimulant consumption, demonstrating the potential public health risks associated with these substances.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Laura Pellegrinelli, Sara Castiglioni, Clementina Cocuzza, Barbara Bertasi, Valeria Primache, Silvia Schiarea, Giulia Salmoiraghi, Andrea Franzetti, Rosario Musumeci, Michela Tilola, Elisa Galuppini, Giorgio Bertanza, Marialuisa Callegari, Fabrizio Stefani, Andrea Turolla, Emanuela Ammoni, Danilo Cereda, Elena Pariani, Sandro Binda
Summary: This study evaluated the performance of different pre-analytical and analytical methods for identifying the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in untreated municipal wastewater samples. It concluded that PEG-8000 precipitation combined with real-time RT-PCR targeting the N gene was the best workflow for detecting SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ivan Senta, Sara Rodriguez-Mozaz, Lluis Corominas, Adrian Covaci, Mira Petrovic
Summary: Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is a useful approach to assess human exposure to potentially harmful chemicals. A fully automated multiresidue method was developed to determine biomarkers of human exposure to selected chemicals from personal care and household products. The method was tested on raw wastewater samples from four European cities and found 21 biomarkers in all analyzed samples. Geographic differences were observed for some biomarkers and exposure to certain contaminants exceeded safe reference values.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Marina Celia Campos-Manas, Natan Van Wichelen, Adrian Covaci, Alexander L. N. van Nuijs, Christoph Ort, Frederic Been, Sara Castiglioni, Felix Hernandez, Lubertus Bijlsma
Summary: Wastewater analysis of THC biomarkers provides important information on cannabis consumption trends. Analyzing both the liquid and solid phases yields more accurate results.
Correction
Substance Abuse
Iria Gonzalez-Marino, Jose Antonio Baz-Lomba, Nikiforos A. Alygizakis, Maria Jesus Andres-Costa, Richard Bade, Anne Bannwarth, Leon P. Barron, Frederic Been, Lisa Benaglia, Jean-Daniel Berset, Lubertus Bijlsma, Igor Bodik, Asher Brenner, Andreas L. Brock, Daniel A. Burgard, Erika Castrignano, Alberto Celma, Christophoros E. Christophoridis, Adrian Covaci, Olivier Delemont, Pim de Voogt, Damien A. Devault, Mario J. Dias, Erik Emke, Pierre Esseiva, Despo Fatta-Kassinos, Ganna Fedorova, Konstantinos Fytianos, Cobus Gerber, Roman Grabic, Emma Gracia-Lor, Stefan Gruener, Teemu Gunnar, Evroula Hapeshi, Ester Heath, Bjorn Helm, Felix Hernandez, Aino Kankaanpaa, Sara Karolak, Barbara Kasprzyk-Hordern, Ivona Krizman-Matasic, Foon Yin Lai, Wojciech Lechowicz, Alvaro Lopes, Miren Lopez de Alda, Ester Lopez-Garcia, Arndis S. C. Love, Nicola Mastroianni, Gillian L. McEneff, Rosa Montes, Kelly Munro, Thomas Nefau, Herbert Oberacher, Jake W. O'Brien, Reinhard Oertel, Kristin Olafsdottir, Yolanda Pico, Benedek G. Plosz, Fabio Polesel, Cristina Postigo, Jose Benito Quintana, Pedram Ramin, Malcolm J. Reid, Jack Rice, Rosario Rodil, Noelia Salgueiro-Gonzalez, Sara Schubert, Ivan Senta, Susana M. Simoes, Maja M. Sremacki, Katarzyna Styszko, Senka Terzic, Nikolaos S. Thomaidis, Kevin V. Thomas, Ben J. Tscharke, Robin Udrisard, Alexander L. N. van Nuijs, Viviane Yargeau, Ettore Zuccato, Sara Castiglioni, Christoph Ort