Wastewater-Based Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 and Other Respiratory Viruses: Bibliometric Tracking of the Last Decade and Emerging Research Directions

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted an overwhelming surge in research investigating different aspects of the disease and its causative agent. In this study, we aim to discern research themes and trends in the field of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses over the past decade. We examined 904 papers in the field authored by researchers from 87 countries. Despite the low reported incidence of COVID-19 in 2023, researchers are still interested in the application of WBE to SARS-CoV-2. Based on network visualization mapping of 189 keyword co-occurrences, method optimization, source, transmission, survival, surveillance or early-warning detection systems, and variants of concern in wastewater were found to be the topics of greatest interest among WBE researchers. A trend toward evaluations of the utility of new technologies such as digital PCR and WBE for other respiratory viruses, particularly influenza, was observed. The USA emerged as the leading country in terms of research publications, citations, and international collaborations. Additionally, Science of the Total Environment stood out as the journal with the highest number of publications and citations. The study highlighted areas for further research, including data normalization and biosensor-based data collection, and emphasized the need for international collaboration and standardized methodology for WBE in future research directions.

Lifecycle Assessment of Two Urban Water Treatment Plants of Pakistan

“…In the U.S. alone, an estimated 45 million tons of greenhouse gases (GHGs) are emitted annually from the energy used for water and wastewater treatment [3]. The need to evaluate the environmental impact of water treatment systems is driven by multiple challenges, particularly the regulatory criteria, present infrastructure condition, population growth, and financial constraints [4,5]. Rothausen and colleagues highlighted that wastewater treatment plants are a prominent contributor to GHG emissions as compared to water treatment plants; however, recently, more stringent environmental regulations are being applied to water treatment systems globally [6,7].…”