Article
Engineering, Environmental
Setareh Cheshmekhezr, Sirwan Alimoradi, Ali Torabian, Alireza Pardakhti, Leila Babaei
Summary: Developing countries like Iran lack resources and infrastructure for continuous monitoring of safe drinking water. A new spectrophotometry method for assessing THMs in Tehran's drinking water offers a cost-effective option for local water treatment plants. Seasonal variables, such as temperature and UV254, were found to affect THMFP which, in turn, directly impacts THMs concentration in drinking water.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Water Resources
Daan Bertels, Patrick Willems
Summary: This study focuses on the impact of climate change on salt intrusion in the Campine Canals in Belgium. The findings indicate that salt water intrusion, which is rare under current climate conditions, will increase in the future. The study emphasizes the need for a shift in canal management to address climate trends and water quality problems.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY-REGIONAL STUDIES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ying Yu, Guiwei Li, Ruya Chen, Baoyou Shi
Summary: The transformation and deposition of manganese in drinking water distribution systems can increase the formation risks of disinfection byproducts, primarily due to the accumulation of organic substances in manganese deposits and the inhibitory effect of manganese oxides on the conversion of chlorine and iodine.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
R. Alvarez-Arroyo, J. Perez, L. M. Ruiz, M. A. Gomez
Summary: One of the main drawbacks of ultrafiltration membranes is their limited capacity to remove organic matter, which can lead to the development of biofilm and deterioration of water quality. This study evaluated the water quality evolution in a experimental drinking water distribution system (DWDS) fed with water treated by spiral-wound-polyvinylidenefluoride UF membranes. The findings showed that ozonation treatment caused a higher increase in the formation of trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids, leading to poorer water quality and raising doubts about the potability of the water in DWDS.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sara Moghaddam-Ghadimi, Audrey Tam, Usman T. Khan, Stephanie L. Gora
Summary: A boil water advisory is issued to inform the public about the increased risk associated with their water and the need to boil it before consumption. Small communities in Canada are particularly susceptible to repeat and long-term boil water advisories. Climate change has resulted in changes in precipitation and temperature patterns, leading to region-specific impacts such as increased frequency and severity of floods, forest fires, droughts, freezing rain, and sea water intrusion. The study analyzes academic and non-academic literature to determine the potential impacts of climate change on water treatment and infrastructure. It also examines anonymized data from public drinking water systems in Canada to identify the common causes of boil water advisories between 2005 and 2020, indicating the breakdowns/malfunctions along the distribution as the primary cause.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lluis Godo-Pla, Pere Emiliano, Manel Poch, Fernando Valero, Hector Monclus
Summary: This study evaluated multiple linear regression and multi-layer perceptrons using field-scale data to predict THMs formation in a drinking water treatment plant in Barcelona, Spain. The results showed that MLR had a good fit with validation data and described the input-output relationships accurately with field-scale data, highlighting the potential for real-time operation of complex drinking water systems.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Manish Kumar, Shashank Shekhar, Rakesh Kumar, Pawan Kumar, Muthusamy Govarthanan, Tushara Chaminda
Summary: This article summarizes the formation of various disinfection by-products (DBPs) during wastewater treatment and their treatment methods, discusses permissible limits and concentrations of DBPs in water systems globally, and their consequences on humans. It also critically reviews various remediation approaches and highlights the need for further advancements in detection and removal of hazardous DBPs before commercial-scale implementation.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Michele De Biase, Francesco Chidichimo, Mario Maiolo, Aaron Micallef
Summary: A quantitative study using a three-dimensional model was conducted to analyze the effects of climate change in 2100 on groundwater volume and saltwater intrusion in the Maltese Islands. The results showed that the increase in water demand and the decrease in groundwater recharge were the main factors affecting groundwater resources, while sea-level rise had a marginal impact.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alexandra Truzsi, Boglarka Kovacs, Ildiko Bodnar, Istvan Fabian
Summary: Breakpoint chlorination is an effective method to remove ammonium ion from source waters in drinking water treatment technologies, but it results in the formation of halogenated organic byproducts. This paper demonstrates that pre-oxidative treatment with the Fe(II)/Fe(III) - S(IV) - air system can decrease the concentration of halogenated species precursors and improve the control of antagonistic byproducts.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Gopinathan R. Abhijith, Leonid Kadinski, Avi Ostfeld
Summary: A mechanistic model describing the interrelationship between chlorine, total organic carbon (TOC), and bacteria in water distribution systems was developed to analyze water quality variations. Results showed that increasing free chlorine concentration and reducing TOC at the source can decrease bacterial activity but increase Trihalomethane (THM) formation. Model outputs are sensitive to operating conditions and network characteristics.
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nkeka Tseole, Tafadzwa Mindu, Chester Kalinda, Moses Chimbari
Summary: Inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) resources pose a significant public health challenge in many communities in Southern Africa. Barriers to improved WaSH practices include geographical inequalities, climate change, low investments in infrastructure, inadequate knowledge on water-borne illnesses, and lack of community engagement. Key facilitators to improved WaSH practices include improved infrastructure, effective community engagement, increased individual household ownership of latrines, and the development of social capital.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Daniel Enrique Kelly-Coto, Alejandra Gamboa-Jimenez, Diana Mora-Campos, Pablo Salas-Jimenez, Basilio Silva-Narvaez, Joaquin Jimenez-Antillon, Macario Pino-Gomez, Luis Guillermo Romero-Esquivel
Summary: This research collected drinking water quality data from 19 rural and semi-urban systems in Costa Rica and developed 12 models to predict the concentration of TTHMs. The linear models showed the best fit and had better prediction for TTHM concentrations below 30μg/L.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Melissa A. Lombard, Johnni Daniel, Zuha Jeddy, Lauren E. Hay, Joseph D. Ayotte
Summary: The study assesses the potential impact of drought on arsenic exposure from private domestic wells in the conterminous United States. Results show that drought conditions increase the probability of elevated arsenic concentrations in domestic wells, indicating adverse effects on public health.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yuchuan Lai, David A. Dzombak
Summary: This study assessed the impact of changing ambient air temperature on water temperature and water quality parameters in drinking water distribution systems. It predicted potential increases in water temperature in the future due to climate change.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
B. Leveque, J-B Burnet, S. Dorner, F. Bichai
Summary: This review underscores the impact of climate change on drinking water systems, highlighting the seasonal risks of water supply insecurity in northern regions and the need for a paradigm shift in assessing climate impacts.
SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Emily J. Collings, Joshua T. Bunce, Mui-Choo Jong, David W. Graham
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mui-Choo Jong, Colin R. Harwood, Adrian Blackburn, Jason R. Snape, David W. Graham
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jia Yee Ho, Mui-Choo Jong, Kishor Acharya, Sylvia Sue Xian Liew, Daniel R. Smith, Zainura Zainon Noor, Michaela L. Goodson, David Werner, David W. Graham, Jeyanthy Eswaran
Summary: This study found differences in physicochemical parameters and bacterial communities between upstream and nearshore locations, with significantly elevated bacterial abundances near wastewater discharge points, including a high amount of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The results suggest that pollution in river estuaries does not linearly increase from inland to coast, but instead varies according to local waste releases and tidal mixing.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Liguan Li, Joseph Nesme, Marcos Quintela-Baluja, Sabela Balboa, Syed Hashsham, Maggie R. Williams, Zhuofeng Yu, Soren J. Sorensen, David W. Graham, Jesus L. Romalde, Arnaud Dechesne, Barth F. Smets
Summary: The study of urban wastewater systems in Denmark, Spain, and the UK revealed a significant reduction in antibiotic resistance genes during sewage conveyance, presenting opportunities for antibiotic resistance management and caution for surveillance based on sewage.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Amelie Ott, Greg O'Donnell, Ngoc Han Tran, Mohd Ridza Mohd Haniffah, Jian-Qiang Su, Andrew M. Zealand, Karina Yew-Hoong Gin, Michaela L. Goodson, Yong-Guan Zhu, David W. Graham
Summary: This study conducted a comprehensive assessment of water quality and antibiotic resistance in a Malaysian river catchment, finding a general decline in water quality and higher antibiotic concentrations in the dry season as one moved downstream. Dissolved oxygen (DO) showed a strong inverse correlation with total AR gene concentrations, indicating its potential use as a simple surrogate for identifying AR hotspots.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Thunchanok Thongsamer, Rattikan Neamchan, Adrian Blackburn, Kishor Acharya, Sawannee Sutheeworapong, Bundit Tirachulee, Pavinee Pattanachan, Soydoa Vinitnantharat, Xin-Yuan Zhou, Jian-Qiang Su, Yong-Guan Zhu, David Graham, David Werner
Summary: The study found that aquaculture is not a major driver of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the environment in Central Thailand, with the highest prevalence of resistance traits observed in Hua Krabue canal water influenced by urban pollution from Bangkok.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Matthew J. Wade, Anna Lo Jacomo, Elena Armenise, Mathew R. Brown, Joshua T. Bunce, Graeme J. Cameron, Zhou Fang, Kata Farkas, Deidre F. Gilpin, David W. Graham, Jasmine M. S. Grimsley, Alwyn Hart, Till Hoffmann, Katherine J. Jackson, David L. Jones, Chris J. Lilley, John W. McGrath, Jennifer M. McKinley, Cormac McSparron, Behnam F. Nejad, Mario Morvan, Marcos Quintela-Baluja, Adrian M. I. Roberts, Andrew C. Singer, Celia Souque, Vanessa L. Speight, Chris Sweetapple, David Walkers, Glenn Watts, Andrew Weightman, Barbara Kasprzyk-Hordern
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to unprecedented pressure on global public health resources, prompting the development of National wastewater surveillance programmes in the UK to monitor the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This work highlights the unique importance of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) for public health protection, with potential value beyond COVID-19 for monitoring a range of health markers.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Amelie Ott, Marcos Quintela-Baluja, Andrew M. Zealand, Greg O'Donnell, Mohd Ridza Mohd Haniffah, David W. Graham
Summary: This study combines quantitative microbiome profiling (QMP) and absolute resistome profiling to quantify antibiotic resistance along a river. QMP overcomes biases from relative abundance data and demonstrates the benefits of using Hill numbers for characterizing environmental microbial communities. These methods can provide more quantitative data for Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessments (QMRA) and other environmental applications.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOME
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Katie Robins, Anne F. C. Leonard, Kata Farkas, David W. Graham, David L. Jones, Barbara Kasprzyk-Hordern, Joshua T. Bunce, Jasmine M. S. Grimsley, Matthew J. Wade, Andrew M. Zealand, Shannon McIntyre-Nolan
Summary: Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is a method used to observe patterns in illicit drug use, poliovirus, and SARS-CoV-2. It has the potential to expand targets and applications for public health protection. However, there are barriers and opportunities that need to be addressed to fully utilize WBE in public health.
JOURNAL OF WATER AND HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Marcos Quintela-Baluja, Kelly Jobling, David W. Graham, Mohamed Alnakip, Karola Bohme, Jorge Barros-Velazquez, Pilar Calo-Mata
Summary: In this study, we report the draft genome sequences of two bacteriocin-producing Enterococcus faecium strains isolated from nonfermented animal foods in Spain. The genomes of these strains contain at least three different regions encoding bacteriocins, and the strains comply with the European Food Safety Authority guidance for use in animal nutrition.
MICROBIOLOGY RESOURCE ANNOUNCEMENTS
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Celia M. Manaia, Diana S. S. Aga, Eddie Cytryn, William H. H. Gaze, David W. W. Graham, Jianhua Guo, Anne F. C. Leonard, Liguan Li, Aimee K. K. Murray, Olga C. C. Nunes, Sara Rodriguez-Mozaz, Edward Topp, Tong Zhang
Summary: Antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are prevalent environmental contaminants. Factors driving the evolution and dissemination of antibiotic resistance are not well understood. ARB and ARGs are often found in areas impacted by human activity, particularly in environments affected by fecal wastes or mixed chemical contaminants. Our review explores the relationship between chemical contaminants and ARB/ARGs, including co-occurrence, potential biostimulation, selective pressure effects, and mitigation strategies. We also discuss evidence and strategies for assessing human health risks associated with environmental antibiotic resistance.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marcos Quintela-Baluja, Kelly Jobling, David W. Graham, Shamas Tabraiz, Burhan Shamurad, Mohamed Alnakip, Karola Bohme, Jorge Barros-Velazquez, Monica Carrera, Pilar Calo-Mata
Summary: This study employed proteomic analysis to rapidly characterize two bacteriocin-producing Enterococcus faecium strains and demonstrated the great potential of this workflow in determining and optimizing the bioengineering and biotechnology properties of other LAB strains in the food industry.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sonia Gupta, David W. Graham, T. R. Sreekrishnan, Shaikh Ziauddin Ahammad
Summary: Heavy metal pollution can increase antibiotic resistance levels and lead to the development of multi-resistant bacteria. There is a significant correlation between heavy metal resistance and antibiotic resistance, and both can be transmitted via integrons.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Dong Wu, Jue Zhao, Yinglong Su, Mengjie Yang, Jan Dolfing, David W. Graham, Kai Yang, Bing Xie
Summary: This study investigated the presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the Taipu River catchment, a water source for a major drinking water reservoir in Shanghai. The results showed a significant decrease in ARG abundances downstream towards the reservoir, while the assembly of waterborne bacteria was influenced by temperature and dissolved oxygen conditions. The putative resistant pathogens carried mixtures of ARGs with high transmission probability, particularly with the dominant taxa in the microbial assembly.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
David Polo, Marcos Quintela-Baluja, Alexander Corbishley, Davey L. Jones, Andrew C. Singer, David W. Graham, Jesus L. Romalde