scholarly journals Assessment of the Incidence of Enteric Adenovirus Species and Serotypes in Surface Waters in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa: Tyume River as a Case Study

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Sibanda ◽  
Anthony I. Okoh
Keyword(s):  
Surface Waters ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Sampling Site ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Conventional Pcr ◽  
Treated Sewage ◽  
Sampling Points ◽  
Enteric Adenovirus ◽  
Treatment Facilities

TaqMan real-time PCR was used for the detection and quantitation of adenoviruses in Tyume River water samples over a 12-month period. A total of 72 samples were analysed, and 22 samples were positive for adenovirus. Of the positive samples, 18 were collected from downstream sampling points. Among the downstream sampling points, adenovirus detection rate increased with distance downstream, being 28%, 33%, and 39% for Alice, Drayini, and Manqulweni, respectively. The Alice sampling site had the highest concentrations of adenovirus ranging between6.54×103 genome copies/L and8.49×104 genome copies/L. The observed trend could have been expected considering the level of anthropogenic activities in areas along the lower stretch of Tyume River, with the major one being the effluent of treated and semi treated sewage from wastewater treatment facilities. Adenovirus detection was sporadic at most sampling sites. Multiplex conventional PCR was used for the detection of clinically important adenovirus species B, C, and F and their serotypes. Species C and F adenoviruses were detected in 77% and 18% of the samples, respectively. Most adenovirus positive samples were obtained from areas of increased population densities. The presence of adenoviruses may confirm the risk of its transmission to the human population.

scholarly journals Diversity and seasonal dynamics of airborne <i>Archaea</i>

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 6945-6983
Author(s):  
J. Fröhlich-Nowoisky ◽  
C. Ruzene Nespoli ◽  
D. A. Pickersgill ◽  
P. E. Galand ◽  
I. Müller-Germann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Waters ◽  
Seasonal Dynamics ◽  
Dna Analysis ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Sampling Site ◽  
Air Particulate ◽  
Group I ◽  
Marine Surface ◽  
Abundance And Diversity ◽  
One Year

Abstract. Archaea are widespread and abundant in many terrestrial and aquatic environments, accounting for up to ∼10% of the prokaryotes. Compared to Bacteria and other microorganisms, however, very little is known about the abundance, diversity, and dispersal of Archaea in the atmosphere. By DNA analysis targeting the 16S rRNA and amoA genes in samples of air particulate matter collected over one year at a continental sampling site in Germany, we obtained first insights into the seasonal dynamics of airborne Archaea. The detected Archaea were identified as Thaumarchaeota or Euryarchaeota, with soil Thaumarchaeota (group I.1b) being present in all samples. The normalized species richness of Thaumarchaeota correlated positively with relative humidity and negatively with temperature. This together with an increase of bare agricultural soil surfaces may explain the diversity peaks observed in fall and winter. The detected Euryarchaeota were mainly methanogens with a low relative frequency of occurrence. A slight increase in their frequency during spring may be linked to fertilization processes in the surrounding agricultural fields. Comparison with samples from the Cape Verde islands and from other coastal and continental sites indicates that the proportions of Euryarchaeota are enhanced in coastal air, which is consistent with their suggested abundance in marine surface waters. We conclude that air transport may play an important role for the dispersal of Archaea, including ammonia-oxidizing Thaumarchaeota and methanogens. Also, anthropogenic activities might influence the atmospheric abundance and diversity of Archaea.

The Use of Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME) to Monitor for Major Organoleptic Compounds Produced by Chrysophytes in Surface Waters

1999 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 251-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan B. Watson ◽  
Brian Brownlee ◽  
Trevor Satchwill ◽  
E. McCauley
Keyword(s):  
Surface Waters ◽  
Solid Phase Microextraction ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Good Recovery ◽  
Culture Material ◽  
Treatment Facilities ◽  
Efficient Extraction ◽  
Cost Efficient ◽  
Related Compounds

An efficient extraction method is needed to measure trace levels of taste and odour compounds in surface waters. This is usually accomplished by costly and involved analytical procedures. We have developed a simpler alternative, using a commercially available microextraction apparatus (SPME). With this technique we successfully monitored trace levels of some target organoleptics (unsaturated aldehydes e.g. heptadienal, nonadienal, and related compounds) which commonly cause aquatic taste and odour. We identified these compounds in culture material, and analyzed for them during the development of odourous chrysophyte blooms in two ponds. Preliminary work has also found a good recovery of some important off-flavour terpenoids (e.g. geosmin and MIB). SPME is labour and cost efficient, and therefore appealing to water treatment facilities for detection and monitoring. In addition, SPME requires only small sample volumes, and is therefore suitable for culture work.

Thinking about offender social reintegration: A case study of one NGO programme in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

2021 ◽  
pp. 002087282096742
Author(s):  
Emmison Muleya
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Crime Prevention ◽  
The Body ◽  
Eastern Cape Province ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Social Reintegration ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Former Offenders ◽  
Offender Reintegration

Successful social reintegration is critical if we are to reduce recidivism and crime in general. This voice of people article presents a background case for why effective offender reintegration services are key in South Africa, and the Eastern Cape in particular, through an example of the Offender Reintegration programme rendered by the National Institute of Crime Prevention and Reintegration of Offenders (NICRO). Apart from the paucity of literature on offender reintegration, very few voices from people working directly with these former offenders are ever heard. Therefore, this article seeks to address this gap by contributing to the body of knowledge on offender social reintegration.

scholarly journals Multidrug-Resistant Listeria Species Shows Abundance in Environmental Waters of a Key District Municipality in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 481
Author(s):  
Liyabona Mpondo ◽  
Kingsley Ehi Ebomah ◽  
Anthony Ifeanyi Okoh
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Surface Waters ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Environmental Waters ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Phenotypic Resistance ◽  
Listeria Species ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Identification And Characterization

The prevalence of bacteria with multidrug-resistance (MDR) is a significant threat to public health globally. Listeria spp. are naturally ubiquitous, with L. monocytogenes particularly being ranked as important foodborne disease-causing microorganisms. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence and determine the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles of multidrug-resistant Listeria spp. (MDRL) isolated from different environmental samples (river and irrigation water) in the Sarah Baartman District Municipality (SBDM), Eastern Cape Province (ECP), South Africa. Molecular identification and characterization were carried out using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and isolates that exhibited phenotypic resistance were further screened for relevant antimicrobial-resistant genes (ARGs). Findings revealed a total of 124 presumptive Listeria isolates; 69 were molecularly confirmed Listeria species. Out of the confirmed species, 41 isolates (59%) were classified as L. monocytogenes while 9 (13%) were classified as L. welshimeri. All Listeria spp. exhibited phenotypic resistance against ampicillin, penicillin, and trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole and further screening revealed ARGs in the following proportions: sulI (71%), blaTEM (66%), tetA (63%), and blaCIT (33%). Results confirmed the occurrence of ARGs among Listeria inhabiting surface waters of ECP. The present study indicates that the river water samples collected from SBDM are highly contaminated with MDRL, hence, constituting a potential health risk.

scholarly journals A Dieldrin Case Study: Another Evidence of an Obsolete Substance in the European Soil Environment

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 314
Author(s):  
Petros Tsiantas ◽  
Evangelia N. Tzanetou ◽  
Helen Karasali ◽  
Konstantinos M. Kasiotis
Keyword(s):  
Active Substance ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Carcinogenic Risk ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Soil Environment ◽  
Single Application ◽  
Environmental Concentration ◽  
Tandem Mass Spectrometric ◽  
Potential Use

Soil constitutes a central environmental compartment that, due to natural and anthropogenic activities, is a recipient of several contaminants. Among them, organochlorine pesticides are of major concern, even though they have been banned decades ago in the European Union, due to their persistence and the health effects they can elicit. In the presented work, a gas chromatographic tandem mass spectrometric (GC-MS/MS) developed method was applied to soil samples after the suspected and potential use of formulations containing organochlorine active substance. One soil sample was positive to dieldrin at 0.018 mg kg−1. Predicted environmental concentration in soil (PECsoil) considering a single application of this active substance potentially attributed the finding in its past use. The subsequent health risk assessment showed negligible non-carcinogenic risk and tolerable carcinogenic risk. The latter signifies that repetitive and prolonged sampling can unveil the pragmatic projection of persistent chemicals’ residues in the soil.

Detection and molecular characterization of enteric adenovirus in treated wastewater in the Brazilian Federal District

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
T. S. C. Quintão ◽  
F. G. Silva ◽  
A. L. Pereira ◽  
W. N. Araújo ◽  
P. M. Oliveira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Federal District ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Conventional Pcr ◽  
Rainfall Index ◽  
Enteric Adenovirus ◽  
Enteric Adenoviruses

AbstractHuman enteric viruses, such as enteric adenoviruses (HAdV), are known to be involved with gastrointestinal disorders, especially acute gastroenteritis. Several studies have used HAdV as an indicator of water quality, since they are considered highly stable and widely distributed viruses in water matrices. The aim of this study was to detect and genotype HAdVs in water matrices impacted by discharges of treated effluents from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Wastewater treatment plants from the sanitary system of the Brazilian Federal District were assessed in 2018 and 2019. Samples were collected upstream and downstream from discharge points for each WWTP. Viral concentration based on adsorption-elution and conventional PCR was used for molecular detection, and positive samples were sequenced for phylogenetic analysis. Pluviosity data for the period in which the samples were collected were obtained. Our results demonstrated the presence of HAdVs in 27.2% (61/224) of the samples. The positivity was significantly higher in downstream samples compared to upstream. Moreover, the HAdV positivity was higher in downstream samples collected from receiving water bodies impacted by secondary-level WWTPs in comparison with those impacted by tertiary-level WWTPs. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated the presence of genotypes 40 and 41, with prevalence of HAdV genotype 41. Despite the predominance of HAdV-41, an increasing frequency of the HAdV-40 was associated with higher pluviosity. In conclusion, this study is the first documentation in the Brazilian Federal District dealing with the prevalence and diversity of HAdVs in several WWTP, along with their correlation with rainfall index.

scholarly journals Modeling Insights into Precipitation Deuterium Excess as an Indicator of Raindrop Evaporation in Lanzhou, China

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 193
Author(s):  
Fenli Chen ◽  
Mingjun Zhang ◽  
Athanassios A. Argiriou ◽  
Shengjie Wang ◽  
Qian Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Arid Region ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Isotope Composition ◽  
Sampling Site ◽  
Western China ◽  
Cloud Base ◽  
Deuterium Excess ◽  
Semi Arid Region ◽  
Semi Arid

The deuterium excess in precipitation is an effective indicator to assess the existence of sub-cloud evaporation of raindrops. Based on the synchronous measurements of stable isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen (δ2H and δ18O) in precipitation for several sites in Lanzhou, western China, spanning for approximately four years, the variations of deuterium excess between the ground and the cloud base are evaluated by using a one-box Stewart model. The deuterium excess difference below the cloud base during summer (−17.82‰ in Anning, −11.76‰ in Yuzhong, −21.18‰ in Gaolan and −12.41‰ in Yongdeng) is greater than that in other seasons, and difference in winter is weak due to the low temperature. The variations of deuterium excess in precipitation due to below-cloud evaporation are examined for each sampling site and year. The results are useful to understand the modification of raindrop isotope composition below the cloud base at a city scale, and the quantitative methods provide a case study for a semi-arid region at the monsoon margin.

scholarly journals Behavioral Parameters of Planarians (Girardia tigrina) as Fast Screening, Integrative and Cumulative Biomarkers of Environmental Contamination: Preliminary Results

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1077
Author(s):  
Ana M. Córdova López ◽  
Althiéris de Souza Saraiva ◽  
Carlos Gravato ◽  
Amadeu M. V. M. Soares ◽  
Renato Almeida Sarmento
Keyword(s):  
Water Samples ◽  
Feeding Rate ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Behavioral Responses ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Sampling Point ◽  
Total Chloride ◽  
Fast Screening ◽  
Sampling Points ◽  
The Impact

The present study aims to use behavioral responses of the freshwater planarian Girardia tigrina to assess the impact of anthropogenic activities on the aquatic ecosystem of the watershed Araguaia-Tocantins (Tocantins, Brazil). Behavioral responses are integrative and cumulative tools that reflect changes in energy allocation in organisms. Thus, feeding rate and locomotion velocity (pLMV) were determined to assess the effects induced by the laboratory exposure of adult planarians to water samples collected in the region of Tocantins-Araguaia, identifying the sampling points affected by contaminants. Furthermore, physicochemical and microbiological parameters, as well as the presence of inorganic compounds (dissolved aluminum, total barium, total chloride, dissolved iron, total fluoride, total manganese, nitrates, nitric nitrogen, total sulfate, total zinc) and surfactants, were determined on each specific sampling point. The behavioral biomarkers (feeding rate and pLMV) of the freshwater planarians were significantly decreased when organisms were exposed to water samples from four municipalities (Formoso do Araguaia, Lagoa da Confusão, Gurupi and Porto Nacional), sites of the Tocantins-Araguaia hydrographic region—TAHR. Both behavioral biomarkers decreased up to ~37–39% compared to organisms in ASTM medium only. Our results showed that these behavioral biomarkers can be used for fast screening monitoring of environmental samples of freshwater ecosystems, since a decrease in feeding rate and locomotor activity was observed in sites impacted by anthropogenic activities. However, the absence of effects observed in some sampling points does not represent the absence of contamination, since several other classes of contaminants were not determined. In these negative results, the absence of deleterious effects on behavioral biomarkers might only be indicative that the potential presence of contaminants on such sites does not significantly affect the performance of planarians. This fast screening approach seems to be useful to determine contaminated sites in freshwater ecosystems for biomonitoring purposes. This knowledge will help to develop biomonitoring programs and to decide appropriate sampling sites and analysis.

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