Review on the contamination of wastewater by COVID-19 virus: Impact and treatment

Abstract

Emerging viruses are a major public health problem. Most zoonotic pathogens originate in wildlife, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), influenza, Ebola, and coronavirus. Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus called SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV). Viruses are charged colloidal particles that have the ability to adsorb on surfaces depending on pH. Their sorptive interaction with solid particles has important implications for their behavior in aquatic environments, soils, sewage sludge, and other solid materials and their removal or concentration by water treatment processes. Current state of knowledge on the potential of wastewater surveillance to understand the COVID-19 pandemic is reviewed. This study also identified wastewater irrigation systems with a higher risk of COVID-19 transmission. Emphasis was placed on methodologies for the detection and quantification of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater.

Effects of COVID-19 on the environment: An overview on air, water, wastewater, and solid waste

“…The proper wastewater treatment in a well-designed and functioning wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) up to tertiary treatment with nutrients removal and efficient on-site sanitation, along with proper and reliable sludge treatment and discharge, should limit hazardous associated with biological matter, including bacteria and viruses including SARS-CoV-2 ( Lahrich et al, 2021 ). Membrane bioreactor and advanced oxidation process with advanced biosensors have been proposed as an efficient tool for the biological treatment of wastewater for the control of SARS-CoV-2 spread upon integration in WWTP ( Bedoui et al, 2011 ; Sayed et al, 2020 ; Tetteh et al, 2020 ; Wilberforce et al, 2020 ).…”

“…The process involves primary disinfection, sedimentation, de-chlorination, moving bed reactor, and re-disinfection. In addition to the biological contamination of wastewater streams by SARS-CoV-2, the wastewater will be loaded with additional organic load due to the excessive hand wash, use of sanitizers, and disinfectants ( Lahrich et al, 2021 ; Shakil et al, 2020 ). Furthermore, the wastewater is expected to be loaded with antibiotics and similar medication due to the increased use of these prescriptions during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

A review on the potential of photocatalysis in combatting SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater

“…Later, Wu et al [ 19 ] also found COVID-19 viruses in the hospital wastewater that is believed transmitted from the human faecal matter of infected person. As in many countries in this world, several studies detected the existence of the COVID-19 virus in the human faecal of COVID-19 patients with or without gastrointestinal symptoms [ 20 ]. It should be noted that in some countries, they are not discharged properly.…”

Detection and disinfection of COVID-19 virus in wastewater

“…Worldwide, medical researchers and epidemiologists are still finding and exploring new ways to scrutinize, prevent and treat the disease (Dai et al 2020 ; He et al 2021 ). One of the new ways of analysing the coronavirus is through monitoring the municipal wastewater (Gostin et al 2020 ; Lahrich et al 2020 ). The viable SARS-CoV-2 and its ribonucleic acid released through human faeces, saliva and sputum eventually find ways in wastewater (Bar Or et al 2020 ; Sun and Han 2020 ).…”