Discharge Of Untreated Sewage Research Articles

Sustainable treatment scheme for in-situ remediation of contaminated drains using engineered natural systems

Ensuring water security in resource-constrained, densely populated regions is a significant challenge globally. Due to insufficient treatment infrastructure, untreated sewage discharge into drainage channels is prevalent, especially in developing countries. This leads to the pollution of already dwindling water bodies and threatens future water availability. In this context, in-situ treatment within drains using nature-based systems is an attractive option. This study evaluates microbial bioremediation and phytoremediation as engineered natural solutions for in-stream treatment of municipal wastewater. A three-stage treatment system consisting of anoxic biofilm, aerobic biofilm, and hydroponic floating wetlands was adopted. Each stage was optimized for operational parameters through batch and continuous flow studies. The anoxic biofilm system using autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) as the attachment media, at an optimized hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 2 h, showed the best performance with respect to COD removal. Comparable COD removal was observed in both externally aerated and non-aerated aerobic biofilm systems with coir fibre at 6 h HRT. However, aerated system outperformed non-aerated system at low HRTs. The hydroponic system with Canna indica effectively removed residual ammonia-N with an HRT of 2 h. The sequential continuous flow studies employing the optimized conditions showed significant removals of COD (86%) and ammonia-N (97.6%). The results highlight that locally available materials having a high specific surface area can be used as biofilm supports for COD removal, and floating wetlands employing indigenous macrophytes can be an ideal choice for in-situ nutrient removal. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) showed that the developed system did not have direct significant impacts on freshwater eco-toxicity and eutrophication. The proposed hybrid treatment system can be implemented as modular units without major drainage modifications or energy-intensive operations. The study, therefore, finds potential application in densely populated settlements in low-income countries where systematic sewage treatment options remain inadequate.

Assessing river water quality for ecological risk in the context of a decaying river in India.

The decay of rivers and river water pollution are common problems worldwide. However, many works have been performed on decaying rivers in India, and the status of the water quality is still unknown in Jalangi River. To this end, the present study intends to examine the water quality of the Jalangi River to assess ecological status in both the spatial and seasonal dimensions. To depict the spatiality of ecological risks, 34 water samples were collected from the source to the sink of the Jalangi River with an interval of 10km while 119 water samples were collected from a secondary source during 2012-2022to capture the seasonal dynamics. In this work, the seasonality and spatiality of change in the river's water quality have been explored. This study used the eutrophication index (EI), organic pollution index (OPI), and overall index of pollution (OIP) to assess the ecological risk. The results illustrated that the values of OPI range from 7.17 to 588, and the values of EI exceed the standard of 1, indicating the critical situation of the ecological status of Jalangi River. The value of OIP ranges between 2.67 and 3.91 revealing the slightly polluted condition of the river water. The study signified the ecological status of the river is in a critical situation due to elevated concentrations of biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, and low concentrations of dissolved oxygen. The present study found that stagnation of water flow in the river, primarily driven by the eastward tilting of the Bengal basin, triggered water pollution and ecological risk. Moreover, anthropogenic interventions in the form of riverbed agriculture and the discharge of untreated sewage from urban areas are playing a crucial role in deteriorating the water quality of the river. This decay needs substantial attention from the various stakeholders in a participatory manner.

ROOT ZONE TECHNOLOGY FOR WASTE WATER TREATMENT

In India, the primary cause of surface and ground water pollution is the discharge of untreated sewage, according to a 2007 study by the Central Pollution Control Board. In India, there is a significant delay between the generation and treatment of household wastewater. India's insufficient treatment capacity is not the only issue; there are also sewage treatment plants that exist, but they are not being maintained or operated. Because of poor design, inadequate maintenance, unreliable electricity supplies, absentee staff, and incompetent management, the majority of government-owned sewage treatment plants remain closed for the most part of the year. Usually, the wastewater produced in these places evaporates or percolates into the soil. Uncollected waste builds up in urban areas, releasing pollutants that seep into surface and groundwater and creating unsanitary conditions. Furthermore, industrialists prefer not to treat the waste produced and instead to dump it untreated into rivers in the areas where these treatment plants are located because the cost of treatment is so high.The Root Zone Treatment System (RZTS), sometimes referred to as the reed bed system or the constructed wetland system, is a sealed filter bed that is planted with vegetation that can grow in wetlands and is made up of a sand, gravel, and soil system, sometimes with a cohesive element. The wastewater flows through the filter bed, where biodegradation of the wastewater occurs, after the coarse and floating material has been removed. Complex physical, chemical, and biological processes that are the outcome of the interaction of wastewater, wetland plants, filter bed material, and microorganisms define the functional mechanisms in the soil matrix that are in charge of the mineralization of biodegradable matter.

Case Study of Deterioration of Mansar Lake and Comparative Study of FAB and SBR Technologies in Sewage Treatment Plant

The deterioration of Mansar Lake, a significant tourist attraction and a vital water resource in India, has become a matter of concern due to the discharge of untreated sewage and industrial effluents. The present study aims to investigate the factors leading to the degradation of Mansar Lake and the effectiveness of two advanced sewage treatment technologies, Fixed Activated Beds (FAB) and Sequencing Batch Reactors (SBR), in treating sewage waste. The study begins with a comprehensive analysis of the factors contributing to the degradation of Mansar Lake, including the inflow of untreated sewage, industrial effluents, and agricultural runoff, as well as the impact of climate change and anthropogenic activities. The research then moves on to the comparative study of FAB and SBR technologies, evaluating their performance in terms of pollutant removal efficiency, energy consumption, and operational costs. The results of the study show that both FAB and SBR technologies are effective in treating sewage waste, with SBR technology having a slight edge in terms of pollutant removal efficiency. However, FAB technology is more cost-effective and energy-efficient, making it a more viable option for developing countries with limited resources. The study concludes with recommendations for the implementation of FAB technology in the sewage treatment plant serving Mansar Lake, as well as the need for stricter regulations and enforcement to prevent the inflow of untreated sewage and industrial effluents into the lake. The study also emphasizes the importance of public awareness and education in preserving the lake's ecological balance and promoting sustainable tourism practices. Mansar Lake, sewage treatment, FAB technology, SBR technology, pollutant removal efficiency, cost-effectiveness, energy efficiency, sustainable tourism.

Impacts of clandestine sewage connections on drainage channels in Aracaju-SE

Basic sanitation is extremely important for people's quality of life. However, various actions have a negative impact on sanitation in cities. Among these actions is the discharge of untreated sewage into drainage channels. Several drainage channels in the city of Aracaju-SE have been found to receive clandestine discharges of untreated sewage. Given the above, this article aims to carry out a literature review on the impacts caused by the discharge of untreated sewage into the drainage channels of Aracaju-SE. To carry out this work, the bibliographical research methodology was adopted, consisting of a review of the literature related to the theme of clandestine sewage connections in drainage channels and the various impacts generated by this action. The research used books, course conclusion papers, scientific articles, and other sources. The results show that in natura sewage discharges into drainage channels have negative impacts on public health, the environment, and the structures of the urban drainage system. It is concluded that investment in basic sanitation should be treated as a priority, as it is directly correlated with public health and environmental quality.

Metal mobility after resuspension of contaminated sediments from a tropical urban bay

Dredging activities are recurrent in coastal cities, however, they can cause the remobilization of contaminants, increasing the risk to the biota. Guanabara Bay is a complex eutrophic estuary that undergoes dredging in several areas during the year. The Meriti River estuary is silted up and highly contaminated by metals, such as Cr, Cu, and Zn, due to the discharge of untreated sewage. In this sense, the present study aims to evaluate the remobilization of metals in the sediment (Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) and bioavailability after resuspension. Twelve sampling points were collected along 4 transects. The resuspension experiments were performed at two intervals: 1 h (T1) and 24 h (T2) and followed protocols from previous studies. In general, all metals are remobilized after resuspension. - In addition, the bioavailability change (BC) index was applied., which showed 54% remobilization of Cr after T2. The transects closer to the river showed less remobilization after resuspension, which may be related to the saline gradient. Zn was the only metal that exceeded CONAMA Resolution 454/12 level 2 after resuspension, indicating a significant anthropogenic input to the area. Although organic matter (OM) is one of the main regulators of bioavailability in this study, the results suggest that there is an interference of bacterial activity in the dynamics of OM degradation, which directly impacts the bioavailability of metals after resuspension.

OVERVIEW OF ROOT ZONE TECHNOLOGY

Central Pollution Control Board (2007) study found that discharge of untreated sewage is sthe single most important cause for surface and ground water pollution n India. There is a large gap between the generation and treatment of domestic wastewater in India. The problem is not only that India lacks sufficient treatment capacity but also that the existing sewage treatment plants are not operated and are not maintained. Most of the government-owned sewage treatment plants remain closed due to improper design, poor maintenance, or lack of reliable electricity supply to operate the plants, absentee employees, and poor management. The wastewater generated in these areas normally percolates in the soil or evaporates. The uncollected wastes accumulate in the urban areas cause unhygienic conditions and release pollutants that leach to surface and groundwater. Moreover, where these treatment plants exist, the cost of treatment is so high that industrialists favour not treating the waste generated and directly dumping the untreated waste into the rivers.The Root Zone Treatment system (RZTS) also known as the reed bed system or constructed wetland system is a sealed filter bed consisting of a sand/gravel/ soil system, occasionally with a cohesive element, planted with vegetation that can grow in wetlands. After removing coarse and floating material, the wastewater passes through the filter bed where biodegradation of the wastewater occurs. The functional mechanisms in the soil matrix responsible for the mineralization of biodegradable matter are characterized by complex physical, chemical and biological processes resulting from the combined effects of the filter bed material, wetland plants, micro-organisms and wastewater. The root zone treatment system also known as the reed bed or constructed wetland system is a sealed filter bed consisting of a sand /gravel/soil system.

Multiple biomarkers in pufferfish as a proxy of environmental health in brazilian marine protected areas

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are designed to conserve biodiversity and vulnerable ecosystems. This study aimed to assess the environmental quality of three Brazilian MPAs, based on the integrated analysis of biomarkers in pufferfish. The MPAs are differentiated by the degree of anthropogenic influences. The Barra do Una Estuary sustainable reserve (JUR) is a reference area due to its low levels of contamination and species diversity. The Cananéia Estuarine System (CAN) has been recognized as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, as well as a Ramsar wetland. This MPA was influenced by upstream mining activities, resulting in the introduction of metals in the estuarine waters and the discharge of untreated urban sewage. The São Vicente estuary (SSV) lacks proper sanitation infrastructure. All collections were conducted during winter season, and, after collection, the animals were euthanized, their soft tissues were removed, and multiple biomarkers were analyzed in the gills and liver, as biometric, genotoxic, biochemical, and morphological. A one-factor multivariate analysis was applied to evaluate the differences between the data sets, and the matrices were analyzed using PERMANOVA to evaluate the “estuary” factor. The results were integrated using PCA with a 0.4 cut value and an Enhanced Integrated Biomarker Response (EIBR) was calculated. PCA was correlated with biochemical, genotoxic, and morphological biomarkers. In general, SVV differed from CAN and JUR as shown by both univariate and multivariate analyses. SVV also showed the highest EIBR, followed by CAN. Organisms from SSV showed greater gill pathology, elevated AChE activity and lipoperoxidation (LPO), and micronuclei frequency. CAN present intermediate EIBR, with severe pathologies in the liver. CAN seems to present an intermediate environmental quality between SSV and JUR indicating the importance of the existence of MPAs for environmental conservation and the need to monitor such areas, to maintain their suitable environmental quality.

A Computational Tool to Track Sewage Flow Discharge into Rivers Based on Coupled HEC-RAS and DREAM

Worldwide abatement of untreated sewage discharge into surface water is a challenging task. Sewage discharging into surface waters has a detrimental impact on water quality. This paper presents a MATLAB (R2018b) framework designed to identify sewage flow discharges into rivers from an inverse problem-solving perspective. The computational tool integrates a hydrodynamic model using the Hydrologic Engineering Center’s River Analysis System (HEC-RAS 5.0.0) and an open-source toolbox for Differential Evolution Adaptive Metropolis (DREAM) as the inverse problem method. The proposed framework can effectively infer discharge sources in scenarios of highly transient flow based on hydraulic data at pre-set monitoring sites. To validate its capabilities, one hypothetical case and two real cases of sewage flow discharges entering a river were used to test the developed modeling framework. The results based on three performance metrics showed that this mathematical tool can be extended to simulate complex hydrodynamic flow patterns. This accomplishment underscores its potential as a valuable asset for environmental monitoring and water quality restoration efforts.

Towards an integrated pelagic and benthic analysis of long-term coastal eutrophication (Guanabara Bay, Brazil)

Coastal ecosystems are important destinations for natural and anthropogenic inputs, areas experiencing eutrophication from untreated sewage globally. However, the mechanistic link of how coastal waters and sediments can jointly respond to nutrient enrichment, especially nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), remains relatively unknown. Here, we assessed the interdecadal variability in N and P contents, comparing four surface water sampling sites (∼40-year monthly concentrations) and three 210Pb dated sediment cores (∼70-years) in an urban bay that has received increasingly high untreated sewage discharges over the past century (Guanabara Bay, Brazil). Major eutrophication was found, with differences between waters and sediments along sampling sites. The water concentrations of total phosphorus (TP) and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) yielded on average ∼10–45 % and ∼40–190 % higher in 2005–2017 compared to 1980–2005 period in the sampling site most influenced by the denser urban than the conserved area, respectively. Furthermore, 6-year average water concentrations indicated both recent initial decreases in the most urban area, potentially associated with new sanitation facilities, and high increases in those relatively more conserved areas. Conversely, TP and TN sediment burial rates were less sensitive to recent changes as compared to the water concentrations, yielding ∼11 and 31 % between 1980–2005 and 2005–2017, respectively, of which also provided baselines data for earlier periods without direct pelagic measurements (i.e., 1950–1980). Thus, these findings offer new insights into substantial temporal and intra-ecosystem spatial variability of coastal eutrophication, indicating that an integrated analysis between water monitoring and sediment burial is needed to improve the diagnosis and prediction capabilities necessary for effective long-term mitigation of coastal aquatic eutrophication worldwide.

Improving reliability of a sewer system through accumulating capacity of gravity-flow sewers

Improving the reliability of sewer systems involves implementing measures and facilities to prevent the discharge of untreated sewage onto the ground or surface. These measures include the redundancy of both pressurized and non-pressurized pipelines within the network, as well as the use of their accumulating capacity and emergency wastewater tanks. The accumulating capacity of a gravityflow sewer system was examined in this work. An algorithm for calculating the accumulating capacity of existing sewer systems was proposed. Additionally, the study explored methods to enhance accumulating capacity by replacing smaller diameter manifolds with larger ones and implementing blocking devices (back-flow barriers) in control wells to prevent wastewater from reaching the surface and to transfer wastewater flow from gravity-flow to pressurized mode. In order to investigate the accumulating capacity of existing gravity-flow collectors in the sewerage handling area to maintain operations during a 6-hour pump station shutdown resulting from an accident, the sewerage pumping station-18 (SPS-18) in Irkutsk was taken as an example. On the basis of the performed calculations, it is suggested that five control wells be equipped with blocking devices in order to increase the accumulating capacity of the gravity-flow network to the required levels. The article offers a methodology for calculating and developing the required accumulating capacity of the designed, existing, and reconstructed sewer systems. The research findings can be useful for updating the development plan for the water supply and wastewater disposal systems of the city.

Modelling of Pollutant Transport in Yamuna River from the Najafgarh Drain, NCT Delhi Using Matlab Software

When the river Yamuna leaves the National Capital Territory of Delhi, its situation further deteriorates. Despite accounting for only 1% of the river’s overall catchment area, this region is responsible for more than half of the pollutants discovered in the Yamuna. The river Yamuna, on the other hand, is Delhi’s only natural resource for maintaining all forms of life. The Yamuna River is currently experiencing a significant level of pollution problem, and in order to control pollution in the Yamuna River, continual analysis is essential. The Yamuna River is contaminated by the discharge of untreated municipal sewage and industrial effluent through seven major drains: Najafgarh, Yamunapur, Sen Nursing Home, Barathpula, Maharani Bagh, Kalkaji, and Tuglakabad. In terms of people and chemicals, continuous sampling takes time and money. The primary objective of this study is to analyse the wastewater samples collected by sub-drains and STP’s to predict the pollutant transportation in river Yamuna from Najafgarh Drain. The study focusses on the only pollutant, i.e., Biochemical Oxygen Demand from the starting point to after the confluence of Najafgarh Drain into river Yamuna. The prediction is to be done by using MATLAB software. This study would help to identify the main sources of sub-drains which are polluting Najafgarh Drain and eventually the river Yamuna. This shows how MATLAB may be used to calculate the pollution load caused by organic waste in the Yamuna River as it flows through Delhi, India’s National Capital Territory. The model numerically solves a series of differential equations to simulate the dissolved oxygen and biochemical oxygen demand parameters in two dimensions. MATLAB is an interactive programming language that may be used to develop algorithms, graphics, and user interfaces in other computer languages. MATLAB helps estimate future water quality using present data, which saves time, labour, and other costs associated with the continuous study. There are various software programmes available in the market for predicting river water quality, however, MATLAB GUI provides an accessible and convenient user interface (Graphical User Interface).

Linking centennial scale anthropogenic changes and sedimentary records as lessons for urban coastal management

Coastal eutrophication and urban flooding are increasingly important components of global change. Although increased seawater renewal by barrier openings and channelizing are common mitigation measures in coastal lagoons worldwide, their effects on these ecosystems are not fully understood. Here, we evaluated the relationships between human interventions in the watershed, artificial connections to the sea, and the sediment burial rates in an urban coastal lagoon (Maricá lagoon, Southeastern Brazil). Sediment accretion along with nutrient and carbon burial rates were determined in two sediment cores representing the past ∼120 years (210Pb dating) and associated with anthropogenic changes as indicated by historical records and geoinformation analyses. Lagoon infilling and eutrophication, expressed by the average sediment accretion, TP, TN, and OC burial rates, respectively, increased ∼9–18, 13–15, 11–14 and 11–12-fold from the earliest (<1950) to the most recent (2000–2017) period. These multi-proxy records confirm mechanistic links between deforestation, urbanization, and untreated sewage discharges. In addition, our findings reveal artificial connections to the sea may contribute to lagoonal eutrophication and infilling, particularly when not integrated with sewage treatment and forest conservation or reforestation in the watershed. Therefore, increased seawater renewal by physical interventions commonly considered as mitigation measures may in contrast cause severe degradation in coastal lagoons, causing harmful consequences that should be not neglected when implementing management practices.

Impact of Namami Gange Programme on Kanpur City Sanitation

The river Ganga, particularly in the city of Kanpur, is facing severe pollution and degradation due to rapid urbanization, industrialization, and inadequate sanitation practices. The city's population growth and industrial activities have put tremendous pressure on the river, leading to the contamination of its water and degradation of its ecosystem. The pollution is primarily caused by the discharge of untreated municipal sewage and industrial effluents into the river. The lack of proper sanitation infrastructure and practices has further exacerbated the problem. The existing water bodies and natural habitats in Kanpur have been adversely affected, posing significant challenges to the sustainability of the city's environment and public health. The pollution levels in the Ganga River, especially in Kanpur, have reached alarming levels, leading to a decline in water quality and biodiversity. To address these issues and restore the purity and ecological balance of the Ganga River, the Indian government has launched the Namami Gange Programme. The program aims to effectively abate pollution, conserve, and rejuvenate the river through various initiatives, including the implementation of sewage treatment plants (STPs), ghat development, surface cleaning, afforestation, sanitation, and public awareness campaigns. This study focuses on assessing the impact of the sanitation schemes implemented under the Namami Gange mission in Kanpur city. It aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the projects in improving sanitation practices, reducing pollution levels, and contributing to the rejuvenation of the Ganga River. The assessment will provide insights into the progress made, identify challenges faced, and suggest potential measures to further enhance the impact of the sanitation initiatives in Kanpur.

Продолжение обследования колоний морских птиц Тауйской губы (Охотское море)

Detailed surveys were performed with accurate fixation of the seabird's colonies locations on never researched sections of the coast next to the city of Magadan. The population was counted, the changes in the condition of the largest seabird colonies near the city, subjected to maximum anthropogenic pressure, were analyzed. The colonies under research included those on the Three Brothers Islands, on Isle Monakh (Kekurny), on Cape Ostrovnoy, and on island bars in the Ola and Arman lagoons. The total number of breeding seabirds, according to the latest counts in this area, including the abovementioned islands and lagoons, amounted to 88.7 thousand individuals. The first, in the history of observations, decrease in the number of seabirds in the Three Brothers colonies from 33.6 thousand to 28.9 thousand individuals in 5 years might be associated with the closure of the urban untreated sewage discharge into Gertner Bay. Monospecies colonies of the Slaty-backed Gull on the island bars in both lagoons, despite the strong anthropogenic pressure and the dynamic change in the islands contours, are still growing steadily and rapidly. In the Ola Lagoon, the number of nesting gulls has increased from 14.2 thousand to 37.6 thousand individuals over the past 9 years; in the Arman Lagoon, from 1.4 thousand to 4.2 thousand individuals within 5 years; their further growth can be predicted. At the present, the Slaty-backed Gull colonies in the Ola Lagoon are the largest in Tauysk Bay.

Groundwater Quality Variations in Multiple Aquifers: A Comprehensive Evaluation for Public Health and Agricultural Use

Understanding hydrological and hydrochemical processes is crucial for the effective management and protection of groundwater resources. This study conducted a comprehensive investigation into hydrochemical processes and variations in groundwater quality across five distinct aquifers in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Thailand: Bangkok (BKK), Phra Pradaeng (PPD), Nakhon Luang (NKL), Nonthaburi (NTB), and Sam Khok (SK). Utilizing various diagrams, the findings revealed that high levels of sodium and salinity in shallow aquifers (BKK and PPD) were found which can impede soil permeability and have potential consequences on crop yields. The presence of four distinct types of groundwater—Na-Cl, Na-HCO3, Ca-Cl, and Ca-HCO3—suggests the influence of rock weathering, mineral dissolution, and ion exchange reactions with the surrounding geological formations, controlling the chemistry in the groundwater basin. The research also highlights concerns regarding groundwater quality, particularly elevated concentrations of heavy metals (e.g., Zn, Hg, Pd, Fe, and Mn) exceeding safe drinking water guidelines established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in certain samples. The evaluation of water suitability for consumption and irrigation using the Water Quality Index (WQI) and Wilcox diagram reveals a predominance of “poor” or “unsuitable” categorizations. Untreated sewage discharge and fertilizer usage were identified as the primary anthropogenic activities affecting hydrochemical processes in groundwater. These findings emphasize the need for continuous monitoring, appropriate management, and remediation efforts to mitigate potential hazards.

Microbial community composition and function in an urban waterway with combined sewer overflows before and after implementation of a stormwater storage pipe.

When the wastewater volume exceeds the sewer pipe capacity during extreme rainfall events, untreated sewage discharges directly into rivers as combined sewer overflow (CSO). To compare the impacts of CSOs and stormwater on urban waterways, we assessed physicochemical water quality, the 16S rRNA gene-based bacterial community structure, and EcoPlate-based microbial functions during rainfall periods in an urban waterway before and after a stormwater storage pipe was commissioned. A temporal variation analysis showed that CSOs have significant impacts on microbial function and bacterial community structure, while their contributions to physicochemical parameters, bacterial abundance, and chlorophyll a were not confirmed. Heat map analysis showed that the impact of CSO on the waterway bacterial community structure was temporal and the bacterial community composition in CSO is distinct from that in sewers. Hierarchical clustering analysis revealed that the waterway physicochemical water qualities, bacterial community composition, and microbial community function were distinguishable from the upper reach of the river, rather than between CSO and stormwater. Changes in the relative abundance of tetracycline resistance (tet) genes-especially tet(M)-were observed after CSOs but did not coincide with changes in the microbial community composition, suggesting that the parameters affecting the microbial community composition and relative abundance of tet genes differ. After pipe implementation, however, stormwater did not contribute to the abundance of tet genes in the waterway. These results indicate that CSO-induced acute microbial disturbances in the urban waterway were alleviated by the implementation of a stormwater storage pipe and will support the efficiency of storage pipe operation for waterway management in urban areas.

Microplastics in commercial seafood: Pleoticus muelleri as a case study in an estuarine environment highly affected by human pressure (Southwestern Atlantic).

Plastic pollution in seafood has become a worldwide safety concern due to its possible harm to humans. This is the first study which has investigated the length-weight relationship, growth patterns and condition factor, together with the concentrations of microplastics (MPs) and mesoplastics (MesoPs) in Pleoticus muelleri from the Bahia Blanca Estuary (BBE), Argentina. Forty-nine individuals were collected from three sampling stations in the BBE, and each abdominal muscle with the gastrointestinal tract was analyzed. P. muelleri showed an isometric growth pattern (b = 3.0054) with values of K similar among the individuals collected (ranged between 0.80 and 0.91), considering them in good condition compared to other crustacean species around the world. 96% of shrimp presented transparent or black synthetic fibers as prevalent types, with an abundance average of (3.0 ± 2.90) MPs/g w. w. And (0.053 ± 0.16) MesoPs/g w. w. as well as a dominant size range of 0.5–1.5 mm, in accordance with recent studies in the same area. The linear regression analysis showed that K was independent of the concentration of MPs ingested by P. muelleri, with R2 ranging between 0.024 and 0.194 indicating that MPs contamination does not affect the nutritional condition of shrimp. SEM/EDX detected the presence of elements like C, O, K, and Mg, tissue residues and fractures on the surface of the analyzed fibers. FTIR confirmed different types of polymers in shrimp related to textile fabrics probably from untreated sewage discharges from nearby cities. The results of this research provide useful information for a better understanding of MPs contamination in seafood, suggesting P. muelleri as a suitable species for monitoring MPs in estuarine ecosystems. Likewise, more research is required to know the effects of MPs on food safety in humans.

Monitoring Pollution of the Tigris River in Baghdad by Studying Physico-chemical Characteristics

The current study aimed at monitoring, exploring and identifying pollution levels in the Tigris River by studying seasonal variations of the physical and chemical characteristics of the river water in Baghdad. Monthly water samples were collected from four locations along the Tigris River in Baghdad for 12 months period. The studied characteristics of the current study included surface water temperature, pH, turbidity, salinity, electrical conductivity, total suspended solids, total dissolved solids, total hardness, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, phosphate, nitrate, and Sulphate. The results showed that the mean values of all the studied physical and chemical characteristics except pH, temperature, and phosphate were higher than the acceptable limits of the Iraqi river water guidelines and international standards. The current study concluded that the Tigris River water was heavily polluted from untreated sewage discharge and other industrial, agricultural, and domestic activities. The study recommended immediate measures to be taken to end the nonstop inflow of sewage and wastes into the Tigris River water from the residential, commercial, and institutional activities in Baghdad.

Microbiome profiling and characterization of virulent and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium from treated and untreated wastewater, beach water and clinical sources

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) is an opportunistic pathogen among the highest global priorities regarding public and environmental health. Following One Health approach, we determined for the first time the antibiotic resistance and virulence genes, and sequence types (STs) affiliation of VREfm recovered simultaneously from marine beach waters, submarine outfall of a wastewater treatment plant and an offshore discharge of untreated sewage, and compared them with the surveillance VREfm from regional university hospital in Croatia to assess the hazard of their transmission and routes of introduction into the natural environment. Importantly, VREfm recovered from wastewater, coastal bathing waters and hospital shared similar virulence, multidrug resistance, and ST profiles, posing a major public health threat. All isolates carried the vanA gene, while one clinical isolate also possessed the vanC2/C3 gene. The hospital strains largely carried the aminoglycoside-resistance genes aac(6′)-Ie-aph(2″)-Ia, and aph(2″)-Ib and aph(2″)-Id, which were also predominant in the environmental isolates. The hyl gene was the most prevalent virulence gene. The isolates belonged to 10 STs of the clonal complex CC17, a major epidemic lineage associated with hospital infections and outbreaks, with ST117 and ST889 common to waterborne and hospital isolates, pointing to their sewage-driven dissemination.To gain better insight into the diversity of accompanying taxons in the surveyed water matrices, microbiome taxonomic profiling was carried out using Illumina-based 16S rDNA sequencing and their resistome features predicted using the PICRUSt2 bioinformatics tool. An additional 60 pathogenic bacterial genera were identified, among which Arcobacter, Acinetobacter, Escherichia-Shigella, Bacteroides and Pseudomonas were the most abundant and associated with a plethora of antibiotic resistance genes and modules, providing further evidence of the hazardous effects of wastewater discharges, including the treated ones, on the natural aquatic environment that should be adequately addressed from a sanitary and technological perspective.