Untreated sewage contamination of beach sand from a leaking underground sewage system

Brandão, João; Albergaria, Isabel Soares de; Albuquerque, J. S.; José, Sílvia; Grossinho, José; Ferreira, Filipa; Raposo, Ana; Rodrigues, Raquel; Silva, Catarina; Sousa, Margarida; Rebelo, M. H.; Veríssimo, Cristina; Sabino, Raquel; Amaro, Teresa; Cardoso, F. A.; Patrão-Costa, M.; Solo‐Gabriele, Helena M.

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140237

Cited by 23 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…Potentially pathogenic fungi, such as Olpidium, Paecilomyces, Aspergillus, Rhodotorula, Penicillium, Candida, Synchytrium, Phyllosticta, and Mucor have been detected in three wastewater treatment plants located in the Gauteng province of the Republic of South Africa [45]. In Portuguese studies, mold fungi Aspergillus, Fusarium, and yeast-like fungi Candida were found in beach sand contaminated with leaking toilet sewage [12].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The storage and sorting of organic waste, composting, agricultural production, food processing, and wastewater treatment systems emit large volumes of bioaerosols, which lead to significant exposure to biological factors [7][8][9]. Studies have demonstrated that not only emergency and uncontrolled wastewater disposals but also outflows from treatment plants and heavy rains cause an increase in the number of microorganisms, such as mold and yeast-like fungi in coastal seawater and sand [8][9][10][11][12]. Moreover, the mold and yeast-like fungi survive in salt seawater and in beach sand for many months [13][14][15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mold and Yeast-Like Fungi in the Seaside Air of the Gulf of Gdańsk (Southern Baltic) after an Emergency Disposal of Raw Sewage

Michalska

Kurpas

Zorena

et al. 2021

JoF

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The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between the meteorological factors and the number of molds and yeast-like fungi in the air in the five coastal towns in the years 2014–2017, and in 2018, after emergency disposal of raw sewage to the Gdańsk Gulf. In the years 2014–2018, a total number of 88 air samples were collected in duplicate in the five coastal towns of Hel, Puck, Gdynia, Sopot, and Gdańsk-Brzeźno. After the application of the (PCA) analysis, this demonstrated that the first principal component (PC1) had a positive correlation with the water temperature, wind speed, air temperature, and relative humidity. The second principal component (PC2) had a positive correlation with the relative humidity, wind speed, wind direction, and air temperature. In 2018, potentially pathogenic mold and yeast-like fungi (Candida albicans, Stachybotrys chartarum complex, Aspergillus section Fumigati) were detected in the seaside air. While the detected species were not observed in the years 2014–2017. We suggest that it is advisable to inform residents about the potential health risk in the event of raw sewage disposal into the water. Moreover, in wastewater treatment plants, tighter measures, including wastewater disinfection, should be introduced.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mold and Yeast-Like Fungi in the Seaside Air of the Gulf of Gdańsk (Southern Baltic) after an Emergency Disposal of Raw Sewage

Michalska

Kurpas

Zorena

et al. 2021

JoF

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“…Considering the relevance and frequent use of these spaces and recognizing that people spend more time on the sand than in water [1,8,9], it becomes evident that in addition to the need to maintain the quality of recreational waters, there is also a need to consider the quality of beach sands [10]. In a study conducted in Azores [11], the authors raised some awareness about this issue, showing that sand can be a public health threat. That study investigated the origin of a skin-rash outbreak caused by sodium hypochlorite.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The fecal pathogens potentially present in this environment tend to be considered a great risk to human health, especially for those with advanced age, diabetes, immunodepression (transient or permanent), and respiratory problems [4,7,8,12]. Contact with contaminated sand either by a dermal route, ingestion, or accidental inhalation [3,4,7,11] can cause intestinal infections, verminoses, and skin diseases, as well as the exacerbation of allergies, causing a profound impact on the population's life quality [5,8,13]. Many of these pathogens originate from human or animal feces [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbial Source Tracking as a Method of Determination of Beach Sand Contamination

Valério

Santos

Teixeira

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Beach sand may act as a reservoir for numerous microorganisms, including enteric pathogens. Several of these pathogens originate in human or animal feces, which may pose a public health risk. In August 2019, high levels of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) were detected in the sand of the Azorean beach Prainha, Terceira Island, Portugal. Remediation measures were promptly implemented, including sand removal and the spraying of chlorine to restore the sand quality. To determine the source of the fecal contamination, during the first campaign, supratidal sand samples were collected from several sites along the beach, followed by microbial source tracking (MST) analyses of Bacteroides marker genes for five animal species, including humans. Some of the sampling sites revealed the presence of marker genes from dogs, seagulls, and ruminants. Making use of the information on biological sources originating partially from dogs, the municipality enforced restrictive measures for dog-walking at the beach. Subsequent sampling campaigns detected low FIB contamination due to the mitigation and remediation measures that were undertaken. This is the first case study where the MST approach was used to determine the contamination sources in the supratidal sand of a coastal beach. Our results show that MST can be an essential tool to determine sources of fecal contamination in the sand. This study shows the importance of holistic management of beaches that should go beyond water quality monitoring for FIB, putting forth evidence for beach sand monitoring.

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“…Fecal coliforms are normally monitored in beaches to detect impacts from sewage (Abdelzaher et al, 2013). Sewage sources in beaches include cesspools, septic tanks, and leaking sanitary sewer systems (Brandão et al, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection of fecal coliforms and SARS-CoV-2 RNA in sewage and recreational waters in the Ecuadorian Coast: a call for improving water quality regulation

Cardenas

Patinoa

Pernía

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Wastewater surveillance represents an alternative approach for the diagnosis and early detection of infectious agents of public health importance. This study aimed to evaluate SARS-CoV-2 and other quality markers in oxidation lagoons, estuarine areas and seawater at Guayas and Santa Elena in Ecuador. Sample collections were conducted twice at 42 coastal sites and 2 oxidation lagoons during dry and rainy seasons (2020-2021). Physico-chemical and microbiological parameters were evaluated to determine organic pollution. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR was conducted to detect SARS-CoV-2. Results showed high levels of Escherichia coli and low dissolved oxygen concentrations. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in sea-waters and estuaries with salinity levels between 34.2-36.4 PSU and 28.8 degrees celsius -31.3 degrees celsius. High amounts of fecal coliforms were detected and correlated with the SARS-CoV-2 shedding. We recommend to decentralized autonomous governments in developing countries such as Ecuador to implement corrective actions and establish medium-term mechanisms to minimize a potential contamination route.

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Untreated sewage contamination of beach sand from a leaking underground sewage system

Cited by 23 publications

References 38 publications

Mold and Yeast-Like Fungi in the Seaside Air of the Gulf of Gdańsk (Southern Baltic) after an Emergency Disposal of Raw Sewage

Mold and Yeast-Like Fungi in the Seaside Air of the Gulf of Gdańsk (Southern Baltic) after an Emergency Disposal of Raw Sewage

Microbial Source Tracking as a Method of Determination of Beach Sand Contamination

Detection of fecal coliforms and SARS-CoV-2 RNA in sewage and recreational waters in the Ecuadorian Coast: a call for improving water quality regulation

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