Skip to main content

James Ebdon

University of Brighton, School of Environment and Technology, Faculty Member

Followers

62,408

Following

79

Co-authors

29

Public Views

Environmental Microbiologist with expertise in the development and application of novel, low-cost methods for determining sources of faecal contamination; water and sanitation in low-resource settings; prevalence of antibiotic resistance in the environment and the survival and persistence of viruses in natural and engineered systems. His work brings together aspects of viral ecology, hydrology and catchment dynamics.

less

Norazian Mohamed Noor (PhD)

Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP)

University of Ottawa | Université d'Ottawa

Prof. Dr. Moustafa Moharam

Sohag University

Kansas State University

Fahmi Muhammad Ridwan

Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP)

Nevcivan Guldas

Dokuz Eylül University

Dr. James Doughari Hamuel

Federal University of Technology, Yola

Uwamere O Edeghor

University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.

University of Tuzla

UNIVERSITY OF JOS, NIGERIA

InterestsView All (7)

Uploads

Papers by James Ebdon

Microbiological impact of diffuse pollution sources on water quality

IWA Publishing eBooks, May 15, 2022

Riverine microplastics: Behaviour, spatio-temporal variability, and recommendations for standardised sampling and monitoring

Journal of water process engineering, Dec 1, 2020

Using indicators to assess microbial treatment and disinfection efficacy

Michigan State University eBooks, 2019

The designations employed and the presentation of material throughout this publication do not imp... more The designations employed and the presentation of material throughout this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNESCO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The ideas and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors; they are not necessarily those of UNESCO and do not commit the Organization.

Storm Response of Fluvial Sedimentary Microplastics

Scientific Reports, Feb 5, 2020

Up to 80% of the plastics in the oceans are believed to have been transferred from river networks... more Up to 80% of the plastics in the oceans are believed to have been transferred from river networks. Microplastic contamination of river sediments has been found to be pervasive at the global scale and responsive to periods of flooding. However, the physical controls governing the storage, remobilization and pathways of transfer in fluvial sediments are unknown. This means it is not currently possible to determine the risks posed by microplastics retained within the world's river systems. This problem will be further exacerbated in the future given projected changes to global flood risk and an increased likelihood of fluvial flooding. Using controlled flume experiments we show that the evolution of the sediment bed surface and the flood wave characteristics controls the transition from rivers being 'sinks' to 'sources' of microplastics under flood conditions. By linking bed surface evolution with microplastic transport characteristics we show that similarities exist between granular transport phenomena and the behavior, and hence predictability, of microplastic entrainment during floods. Our findings are significant as they suggest that microplastic release from sediment beds can be managed by altering the timing and magnitude of releases in flow managed systems. As such it may be possible to remediate or remove legacy microplastics in future.

Human‐specific phages infecting<i>Enterococcus</i>host strain MW47: are they reliable microbial source tracking markers?

Journal of Applied Microbiology, Feb 18, 2018

The aim of this study was to determine the morphological diversity and environmental survival of ... more The aim of this study was to determine the morphological diversity and environmental survival of human-specific phages infecting Enterococcus faecium host strain MW47, to support their use as microbial source tracking (MST) markers. Methods and Results: Twenty phages capable of infecting strain MW47 were propagated and their morphologies determined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which revealed that a heterogeneous group of phages was able to infect strain MW47. Three distinct morphologies from two different families (Myoviridae and Siphoviridae) were observed. In situ inactivation experiments were subsequently conducted to determine their environmental persistence. Conclusion: The findings revealed a statistically significant link between morphology and the rate of inactivation, with phages belonging to the Myoviridae family demonstrating more rapid inactivation in comparison to those belonging to the Siphoviridae family. 2 Significance and Impact of Study: The results suggest that whilst Enterococcus MW47 phages appear to be a potentially valuable MST tools, significant variations in the persistence of the different phages mean that the approach should be used with caution, as this may adversely affect the reliability of the approach, especially when comparing MW47 phage levels or presence across different matrices (e.g. levels in sediments or shellfish). This highlights the importance of elucidating the ecological characteristics of newly proposed MST markers before they are used in full-scale MST investigations.

Spatio-temporal patterns in microplastic pollution of surface waters and sediments within the R. Thames (UK) and its tributaries

Barriers to, and opportunities for off-grid sanitation provision in the rapidly urbanizing city of Mekelle, Ethiopia: Reimagining human waste as “brown gold” for environmental management and livelihood improvement

Inappropriate or poorly constructed sanitation is becoming one of the major challenges confrontin... more Inappropriate or poorly constructed sanitation is becoming one of the major challenges confronting rapidly urbanizing cities in the global south such as Ethiopia. This study was carried out to understand the sanitation and solid waste management challenges present in the city of Mekelle, in order to identify opportunities for sustainable faecal and solid waste management. This involved conducting: (a) a review of previous studies, (b) field and laboratory investigations (water and faecal sludge quality), (c) assessments of the status of existing sanitation services, (d) analysis of hydrogeological connectivity between septic tanks and surface & ground waters, (e) participatory assessments of solid waste management issues, and (f) identification of good practice in terms of sustainable waste management. Our findings revealed that the water supply coverage in 2021 only reached 67.3% of the population with water mainly from treated groundwater wells and surface water (dam); with some c...

Evaluation of Low-Cost Phage-Based Microbial Source Tracking Tools for Elucidating Human Fecal Contamination Pathways in Kolkata, India

Frontiers in Microbiology

Graphical Phages infecting Bacteroides fragilis strain GB-124 and non-source specific somatic col... more Graphical Phages infecting Bacteroides fragilis strain GB-124 and non-source specific somatic coliphages (SOMCPH) were deployed for identification of fecal contamination pathways in Kolkata, India. Analyses of environmental samples representative of nine different exposure pathways, pooled sewage from shared community toilets and sewage from pumping stations showed the presence of both SOMCPH and GB-124 phages in all the sample types.

Phenotyping of bacterial populations A useful method for microbial source tracking

FEMS Congress of European Microbiologists Abstract Book, Jun 5, 2003

Spatio-temporal variations in microplastic presence and composition in the sediments of the R. Thames (UK) and its tributaries

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Rivers form major conduits for land-derived plastic waste, with the annu... more &amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Rivers form major conduits for land-derived plastic waste, with the annual emission of plastics to the world&amp;amp;#8217;s oceans currently being quantified at as much as 2.7 million metric tons. In particular, riverbed sediments have been found to retain high levels of microplastics (plastics &amp;lt;5 mm in size) and multiple studies reported microplastic concentrations in the sediments to exceed those in the water column by as much as 600,000 times. Emerging evidence suggests that high flows may remobilise some of the sedimentary microplastic pool, resulting in high microplastic loads entering the adjacent seas following flood events. However, the transport mechanisms that microplastics undergo in river settings remain poorly understood.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;In this study, we investigated spatio-temporal variations in the microplastic contamination within river bed sediments in the R. Thames (UK) catchment. Sediment samples were taken on a seasonal basis over 3 years (2019-2021) from 12 sampling sites (classified as rural, urban and industrial) located on the main R. Thames and 8 of its tributaries. Microplastics were extracted from sediment using density flotation, then visually counted and investigated using a combination of ATR-FTIR and &amp;amp;#181;ATR-FTIR (Attenuated Total Reflectance - Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy). Additional SEM analysis was carried out to describe the morphology (degradational patterns/occurrence of biofouling) of extracted microplastics.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Microplastics were present in most sediment samples (85%), with fragments being the dominant shape (92% across all seasons), followed by beads/pellets (5%) and fibres (3%). Microplastic levels varied on a seasonal basis (0 - 4,200 MP&amp;amp;#183;kg&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;-1&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt; range), increasing in the summer months and decreasing in the winter by up to 89%. This suggests the occurrence of microplastic accumulation in the summer low-flow conditions followed by subsequent flushing of microplastics as a result of higher winter flows. Inter-site variations in microplastic levels were evident in the summer months, with concentrations increasing in the order of industrial&amp;gt;urban&amp;gt;rural. Microplastics were also more abundant at inner river banks and near point sources (e.g. effluent outlets). In contrast, such inter- and intra-site variations were less clear in the winter. Urban and rural samples were dominated by fragments (96% on average) irrespective of season, with most items made out of polyethylene (PE), but also containing thermoplastic elastomers found in road marking paints (e.g. ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyamide (PA)). Although samples taken from industrial locations were also dominated by fragments (84%), they contained higher numbers of microbeads and industrial pellets (12%) composed of polymers widely used for industrial applications (e.g. poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) used as Perspex glass, poly(diallyl phthalate) used in the processing of thermosetting plastics and resins, or poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate) (PBT) used for insulation purposes in the electrical industry).&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Our study reveals a multitude of microplastic sources contributing to the pollution of the R. Thames catchment and confirms the existence of a strong seasonal pattern in microplastic deposition within riverbeds, suggesting a need to account for this process in the global models of microplastic export from land to sea.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

A Longitudinal Study of Bacteriophages as Indicators of Norovirus Contamination of Mussels (Mytilus edulis) and Their Overlying Waters

Pollutants, 2022

Sewage pollution leads to the contamination of bivalve shellfish by pathogenic microorganisms. Ba... more Sewage pollution leads to the contamination of bivalve shellfish by pathogenic microorganisms. Bacterial indicators support the management of risks associated with the consumption of shellfish; however, they often fail to indicate adequately the potential hazard to human health posed by certain human enteric viruses. Bacteriophages have been proposed as alternative indicators that may more effectively predict the presence of enteric viral pathogens. This study explored the relationships between bacterial indicators (Escherichia coli (E. coli), faecal coliforms (FC) and intestinal enterococci (IE)), phages (somatic (SOMPH), F-specific RNA (F + PH) and human-specific Bacteroides GB-124 phages (GB124PH)) and Norovirus (NoV) (GI/GII) in mussels (Mytilus edulis) and their overlying waters. The bioaccumulation of these indicators and Norovirus in shellfish matrices (e.g., flesh, digestive gland) was investigated bimonthly over a 12-month period in an English estuary. The findings revealed...

Wastewater Reuse and Public Health (South East Water)

Water deficit, exacerbated by global population increases and climate change, necessitates the in... more Water deficit, exacerbated by global population increases and climate change, necessitates the investigation of alternative non-traditional water sources to augment existing supplies. Indirect potable reuse (IPR) represents a promising alternative water source in water-stressed regions. Of high concern is the presence of pathogenic microorganisms in wastewater, such as enteric viruses, protozoa and bacteria. Therefore, a greater understanding of the potential impact to human health is required. The aim of this research was to use a quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) approach to calculate the probability of potential pathogen infection risk to the public in surface waters used for a range of recreational activities under scenarios: 1) existing de facto wastewater reuse conditions; 2) after augmentation with conventionally treated wastewater; and 3) after augmentation with reclaimed wastewater from proposed IPR schemes.

Drinking-water under a "One Health" lens: quantifying microbial contamination pathways between livestock and drinking- water

Diarrhoeal disease and lack of access to safe water remain significant public health issues in de... more Diarrhoeal disease and lack of access to safe water remain significant public health issues in developing countries. There is also growing concern about the potential for disease, including diarrhoeal infections, to be transmitted from livestock to humans. This project addresses the potential drinking-water contamination risks to human health in rural sub-Saharan Africa, where people and livestock often live in close proximity. Preliminary fieldwork will be carried out in rural Kenya, building on an ongoing study that is simultaneously recording human and livestock disease in ten villages. The fieldwork will test different techniques to identify contamination hazards from livestock, alongside water quality testing and recording of diarrhoea in children. These techniques will include the use of GPS collars to track cattle movements, maps of hazardous areas created by the communities themselves, and also checklists for recording signs of livestock hazards at water sources and around w...

Integrated analysis of water quality parameters for cost-effective faecal pollution management in... more

ムラサキイガイ(Mytilus edulis)とその生息水におけるアデノウイルスの濃度を予測するためのファージを基礎する糞便汚染マーカーの応用【Powered by NICT】

Journal of Applied Microbiology, 2016

Limitations of chlorine disinfection of human excreta: implications for Ebola disease control

Various NGO guidelines suggest that human excreta may be disinfected by the application of concen... more Various NGO guidelines suggest that human excreta may be disinfected by the application of concentrated (e.g., 0.5%) chlorine solutions. However, chlorine-based disinfectants are thought to rapidly lose their bactericidal and virucidal properties in contact with high levels of organic matter and chlorine application results in the production of toxic chlororganic compounds. To evaluate the disinfection efficacy of chlorine solutions (HTH, NaDCC and household bleach) against viruses and bacteria within excreta matrices, laboratory-scale disinfection experiments were undertaken. Human excreta matrices containing raw wastewater, with 0%, 10% and 20% (w/v) added faecal sludge, were disinfected with chlorine solutions at a ratio of 1:10 (chlorine solution: excreta matrix). Contact time was set at 30 minutes and bacterial (FC and IE) and viral (SOMPH) indicators were used to measure disinfection efficacy. Results demonstrated that at high levels of solids content, disinfection efficacy wa...

Protecting the urban environment from fecal contamination: Detailed Review of a Recent Publication: High coverage of improved household sanitation is needed in urban areas to reduce environmental fecal contamination

The WaSH Policy Research Digest is issued by The Water Institute at UNC—problem solvers focused o... more The WaSH Policy Research Digest is issued by The Water Institute at UNC—problem solvers focused on the sustainable management of water for health and human development—and comprises a review of a recent article or report, and a short literature review on a WaSH topic. It provides objective, concise and timely information to advise WaSH policy development. To subscribe, please go to waterinstitute.unc.edu/wash-policy-research-digest. Questions or comments about this publication? Please contact us at waterinstitute@unc.edu. research suggests that it is imperative that the safe containment, separation and management of human excreta are addressed along the entire sanitation chain, not just within private households or domestic compounds. With over half of the world’s population now residing in urban areas, and two-thirds expected to by 2050 (United Nations, 2015), the safe containment and separation of household excreta must be a key priority for protecting public health in urban areas.

Process controls on microplastic recontamination in fluvial sediments due to flooding

Microplastic burden in aquatic environments is now recognised as one of the largest threats to hu... more Microplastic burden in aquatic environments is now recognised as one of the largest threats to human and environmental health of the 21st century. However, although microplastic transfers to the ocean from the terrestrial river network contributes up to 90% of the plastics in the oceans the pathways and mechanisms of transfers are largely unconstrained. Within river channels it is the sediment bed that plays a vital role in mediating transfers since microplastics are buried and stored within the sediments on the river bed. During flood events, erosion of the bed surface means microplastics buried within the bed are exchanged with the surface across the active layer and are potentially re-mobilised. However, we have very little grasp on the magnitudes of floods required to mobilise the sediment bed such as to re-mobilise the microplastics and hence very little understanding of microplastic recontamination risk.

Elucidation of fecal inputs into the River Tagus catchment (Portugal) using source-specific mitochondrial DNA, HAdV, and phage markers

Science of The Total Environment, 2021

Pathogen infection risk to recreational water users, associated with surface waters impacted by de facto and indirect potable reuse activities

Science of The Total Environment, 2020

Water deficit, exacerbated by global population increases and climate change, necessitates the in... more Water deficit, exacerbated by global population increases and climate change, necessitates the investigation of alternative non-traditional water sources to augment existing supplies. Indirect potable reuse (IPR) represents a promising alternative water source in water-stressed 2 regions. Of high concern is the presence of pathogenic microorganisms in wastewater, such as enteric viruses, protozoa and bacteria. Therefore, a greater understanding of the potential impact to human health is required. The aim of this research was to use a quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) approach to calculate the probability of potential pathogen infection to the public in surface waters used for a range of recreational activities under scenarios: 1) existing de facto wastewater reuse conditions; 2) after augmentation with conventionally treated wastewater; and 3) after augmentation with reclaimed wastewater from proposed IPR schemes. Fourty-four 31 L samples were collected from river sites and a coastal wastewater treatment works from July 2016-May 2017. Concentrations of faecal indicator organisms (enterococci, faecal coliforms, somatic coliphages and Bacteroides phages) determined using culture-based approaches and selected pathogens (adenovirus, Salmonella and Cryptosporidium) determined using molecular approaches (qPCR) were used to inform QMRA. The mean probability of infection from adenovirus under de facto conditions was high (>0.90) for all recreational activities, per single event. The risk of adenovirus and Cryptosporidium infection increased under augmentation scenario (2) (mean probability 0.95-1.00 and 0.01-0.06 per single event, respectively). Adenovirus and Cryptosporidium infection risk decreased under reclaimed water augmentation scenario (3) (mean probability <0.79, excluding swimming, which remained 1.00 and <0.01 per single event, respectively). Pathogen reduction after reclaimed water augmentation in surface waters impacted by de facto reuse, provides important evidence for alternative water supply option selection. As such, this evidence may inform water managers and the public of the potential benefits of IPR and improve acceptance of such practices in the future.

Microbiological impact of diffuse pollution sources on water quality

IWA Publishing eBooks, May 15, 2022

Riverine microplastics: Behaviour, spatio-temporal variability, and recommendations for standardised sampling and monitoring

Journal of water process engineering, Dec 1, 2020

Using indicators to assess microbial treatment and disinfection efficacy

Michigan State University eBooks, 2019

The designations employed and the presentation of material throughout this publication do not imp... more The designations employed and the presentation of material throughout this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNESCO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The ideas and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors; they are not necessarily those of UNESCO and do not commit the Organization.

Storm Response of Fluvial Sedimentary Microplastics

Scientific Reports, Feb 5, 2020

Up to 80% of the plastics in the oceans are believed to have been transferred from river networks... more Up to 80% of the plastics in the oceans are believed to have been transferred from river networks. Microplastic contamination of river sediments has been found to be pervasive at the global scale and responsive to periods of flooding. However, the physical controls governing the storage, remobilization and pathways of transfer in fluvial sediments are unknown. This means it is not currently possible to determine the risks posed by microplastics retained within the world's river systems. This problem will be further exacerbated in the future given projected changes to global flood risk and an increased likelihood of fluvial flooding. Using controlled flume experiments we show that the evolution of the sediment bed surface and the flood wave characteristics controls the transition from rivers being 'sinks' to 'sources' of microplastics under flood conditions. By linking bed surface evolution with microplastic transport characteristics we show that similarities exist between granular transport phenomena and the behavior, and hence predictability, of microplastic entrainment during floods. Our findings are significant as they suggest that microplastic release from sediment beds can be managed by altering the timing and magnitude of releases in flow managed systems. As such it may be possible to remediate or remove legacy microplastics in future.

Human‐specific phages infecting<i>Enterococcus</i>host strain MW47: are they reliable microbial source tracking markers?

Journal of Applied Microbiology, Feb 18, 2018

The aim of this study was to determine the morphological diversity and environmental survival of ... more The aim of this study was to determine the morphological diversity and environmental survival of human-specific phages infecting Enterococcus faecium host strain MW47, to support their use as microbial source tracking (MST) markers. Methods and Results: Twenty phages capable of infecting strain MW47 were propagated and their morphologies determined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which revealed that a heterogeneous group of phages was able to infect strain MW47. Three distinct morphologies from two different families (Myoviridae and Siphoviridae) were observed. In situ inactivation experiments were subsequently conducted to determine their environmental persistence. Conclusion: The findings revealed a statistically significant link between morphology and the rate of inactivation, with phages belonging to the Myoviridae family demonstrating more rapid inactivation in comparison to those belonging to the Siphoviridae family. 2 Significance and Impact of Study: The results suggest that whilst Enterococcus MW47 phages appear to be a potentially valuable MST tools, significant variations in the persistence of the different phages mean that the approach should be used with caution, as this may adversely affect the reliability of the approach, especially when comparing MW47 phage levels or presence across different matrices (e.g. levels in sediments or shellfish). This highlights the importance of elucidating the ecological characteristics of newly proposed MST markers before they are used in full-scale MST investigations.

Spatio-temporal patterns in microplastic pollution of surface waters and sediments within the R. Thames (UK) and its tributaries

Barriers to, and opportunities for off-grid sanitation provision in the rapidly urbanizing city of Mekelle, Ethiopia: Reimagining human waste as “brown gold” for environmental management and livelihood improvement

Inappropriate or poorly constructed sanitation is becoming one of the major challenges confrontin... more Inappropriate or poorly constructed sanitation is becoming one of the major challenges confronting rapidly urbanizing cities in the global south such as Ethiopia. This study was carried out to understand the sanitation and solid waste management challenges present in the city of Mekelle, in order to identify opportunities for sustainable faecal and solid waste management. This involved conducting: (a) a review of previous studies, (b) field and laboratory investigations (water and faecal sludge quality), (c) assessments of the status of existing sanitation services, (d) analysis of hydrogeological connectivity between septic tanks and surface & ground waters, (e) participatory assessments of solid waste management issues, and (f) identification of good practice in terms of sustainable waste management. Our findings revealed that the water supply coverage in 2021 only reached 67.3% of the population with water mainly from treated groundwater wells and surface water (dam); with some c...

Evaluation of Low-Cost Phage-Based Microbial Source Tracking Tools for Elucidating Human Fecal Contamination Pathways in Kolkata, India

Frontiers in Microbiology

Graphical Phages infecting Bacteroides fragilis strain GB-124 and non-source specific somatic col... more Graphical Phages infecting Bacteroides fragilis strain GB-124 and non-source specific somatic coliphages (SOMCPH) were deployed for identification of fecal contamination pathways in Kolkata, India. Analyses of environmental samples representative of nine different exposure pathways, pooled sewage from shared community toilets and sewage from pumping stations showed the presence of both SOMCPH and GB-124 phages in all the sample types.

Phenotyping of bacterial populations A useful method for microbial source tracking

FEMS Congress of European Microbiologists Abstract Book, Jun 5, 2003

Spatio-temporal variations in microplastic presence and composition in the sediments of the R. Thames (UK) and its tributaries

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Rivers form major conduits for land-derived plastic waste, with the annu... more &amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Rivers form major conduits for land-derived plastic waste, with the annual emission of plastics to the world&amp;amp;#8217;s oceans currently being quantified at as much as 2.7 million metric tons. In particular, riverbed sediments have been found to retain high levels of microplastics (plastics &amp;lt;5 mm in size) and multiple studies reported microplastic concentrations in the sediments to exceed those in the water column by as much as 600,000 times. Emerging evidence suggests that high flows may remobilise some of the sedimentary microplastic pool, resulting in high microplastic loads entering the adjacent seas following flood events. However, the transport mechanisms that microplastics undergo in river settings remain poorly understood.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;In this study, we investigated spatio-temporal variations in the microplastic contamination within river bed sediments in the R. Thames (UK) catchment. Sediment samples were taken on a seasonal basis over 3 years (2019-2021) from 12 sampling sites (classified as rural, urban and industrial) located on the main R. Thames and 8 of its tributaries. Microplastics were extracted from sediment using density flotation, then visually counted and investigated using a combination of ATR-FTIR and &amp;amp;#181;ATR-FTIR (Attenuated Total Reflectance - Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy). Additional SEM analysis was carried out to describe the morphology (degradational patterns/occurrence of biofouling) of extracted microplastics.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Microplastics were present in most sediment samples (85%), with fragments being the dominant shape (92% across all seasons), followed by beads/pellets (5%) and fibres (3%). Microplastic levels varied on a seasonal basis (0 - 4,200 MP&amp;amp;#183;kg&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;-1&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt; range), increasing in the summer months and decreasing in the winter by up to 89%. This suggests the occurrence of microplastic accumulation in the summer low-flow conditions followed by subsequent flushing of microplastics as a result of higher winter flows. Inter-site variations in microplastic levels were evident in the summer months, with concentrations increasing in the order of industrial&amp;gt;urban&amp;gt;rural. Microplastics were also more abundant at inner river banks and near point sources (e.g. effluent outlets). In contrast, such inter- and intra-site variations were less clear in the winter. Urban and rural samples were dominated by fragments (96% on average) irrespective of season, with most items made out of polyethylene (PE), but also containing thermoplastic elastomers found in road marking paints (e.g. ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyamide (PA)). Although samples taken from industrial locations were also dominated by fragments (84%), they contained higher numbers of microbeads and industrial pellets (12%) composed of polymers widely used for industrial applications (e.g. poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) used as Perspex glass, poly(diallyl phthalate) used in the processing of thermosetting plastics and resins, or poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate) (PBT) used for insulation purposes in the electrical industry).&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Our study reveals a multitude of microplastic sources contributing to the pollution of the R. Thames catchment and confirms the existence of a strong seasonal pattern in microplastic deposition within riverbeds, suggesting a need to account for this process in the global models of microplastic export from land to sea.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

A Longitudinal Study of Bacteriophages as Indicators of Norovirus Contamination of Mussels (Mytilus edulis) and Their Overlying Waters

Pollutants, 2022

Sewage pollution leads to the contamination of bivalve shellfish by pathogenic microorganisms. Ba... more Sewage pollution leads to the contamination of bivalve shellfish by pathogenic microorganisms. Bacterial indicators support the management of risks associated with the consumption of shellfish; however, they often fail to indicate adequately the potential hazard to human health posed by certain human enteric viruses. Bacteriophages have been proposed as alternative indicators that may more effectively predict the presence of enteric viral pathogens. This study explored the relationships between bacterial indicators (Escherichia coli (E. coli), faecal coliforms (FC) and intestinal enterococci (IE)), phages (somatic (SOMPH), F-specific RNA (F + PH) and human-specific Bacteroides GB-124 phages (GB124PH)) and Norovirus (NoV) (GI/GII) in mussels (Mytilus edulis) and their overlying waters. The bioaccumulation of these indicators and Norovirus in shellfish matrices (e.g., flesh, digestive gland) was investigated bimonthly over a 12-month period in an English estuary. The findings revealed...

Wastewater Reuse and Public Health (South East Water)

Water deficit, exacerbated by global population increases and climate change, necessitates the in... more Water deficit, exacerbated by global population increases and climate change, necessitates the investigation of alternative non-traditional water sources to augment existing supplies. Indirect potable reuse (IPR) represents a promising alternative water source in water-stressed regions. Of high concern is the presence of pathogenic microorganisms in wastewater, such as enteric viruses, protozoa and bacteria. Therefore, a greater understanding of the potential impact to human health is required. The aim of this research was to use a quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) approach to calculate the probability of potential pathogen infection risk to the public in surface waters used for a range of recreational activities under scenarios: 1) existing de facto wastewater reuse conditions; 2) after augmentation with conventionally treated wastewater; and 3) after augmentation with reclaimed wastewater from proposed IPR schemes.

Drinking-water under a "One Health" lens: quantifying microbial contamination pathways between livestock and drinking- water

Diarrhoeal disease and lack of access to safe water remain significant public health issues in de... more Diarrhoeal disease and lack of access to safe water remain significant public health issues in developing countries. There is also growing concern about the potential for disease, including diarrhoeal infections, to be transmitted from livestock to humans. This project addresses the potential drinking-water contamination risks to human health in rural sub-Saharan Africa, where people and livestock often live in close proximity. Preliminary fieldwork will be carried out in rural Kenya, building on an ongoing study that is simultaneously recording human and livestock disease in ten villages. The fieldwork will test different techniques to identify contamination hazards from livestock, alongside water quality testing and recording of diarrhoea in children. These techniques will include the use of GPS collars to track cattle movements, maps of hazardous areas created by the communities themselves, and also checklists for recording signs of livestock hazards at water sources and around w...

Integrated analysis of water quality parameters for cost-effective faecal pollution management in... more

ムラサキイガイ(Mytilus edulis)とその生息水におけるアデノウイルスの濃度を予測するためのファージを基礎する糞便汚染マーカーの応用【Powered by NICT】

Journal of Applied Microbiology, 2016

Limitations of chlorine disinfection of human excreta: implications for Ebola disease control

Various NGO guidelines suggest that human excreta may be disinfected by the application of concen... more Various NGO guidelines suggest that human excreta may be disinfected by the application of concentrated (e.g., 0.5%) chlorine solutions. However, chlorine-based disinfectants are thought to rapidly lose their bactericidal and virucidal properties in contact with high levels of organic matter and chlorine application results in the production of toxic chlororganic compounds. To evaluate the disinfection efficacy of chlorine solutions (HTH, NaDCC and household bleach) against viruses and bacteria within excreta matrices, laboratory-scale disinfection experiments were undertaken. Human excreta matrices containing raw wastewater, with 0%, 10% and 20% (w/v) added faecal sludge, were disinfected with chlorine solutions at a ratio of 1:10 (chlorine solution: excreta matrix). Contact time was set at 30 minutes and bacterial (FC and IE) and viral (SOMPH) indicators were used to measure disinfection efficacy. Results demonstrated that at high levels of solids content, disinfection efficacy wa...

Protecting the urban environment from fecal contamination: Detailed Review of a Recent Publication: High coverage of improved household sanitation is needed in urban areas to reduce environmental fecal contamination

The WaSH Policy Research Digest is issued by The Water Institute at UNC—problem solvers focused o... more The WaSH Policy Research Digest is issued by The Water Institute at UNC—problem solvers focused on the sustainable management of water for health and human development—and comprises a review of a recent article or report, and a short literature review on a WaSH topic. It provides objective, concise and timely information to advise WaSH policy development. To subscribe, please go to waterinstitute.unc.edu/wash-policy-research-digest. Questions or comments about this publication? Please contact us at waterinstitute@unc.edu. research suggests that it is imperative that the safe containment, separation and management of human excreta are addressed along the entire sanitation chain, not just within private households or domestic compounds. With over half of the world’s population now residing in urban areas, and two-thirds expected to by 2050 (United Nations, 2015), the safe containment and separation of household excreta must be a key priority for protecting public health in urban areas.

Process controls on microplastic recontamination in fluvial sediments due to flooding

Microplastic burden in aquatic environments is now recognised as one of the largest threats to hu... more Microplastic burden in aquatic environments is now recognised as one of the largest threats to human and environmental health of the 21st century. However, although microplastic transfers to the ocean from the terrestrial river network contributes up to 90% of the plastics in the oceans the pathways and mechanisms of transfers are largely unconstrained. Within river channels it is the sediment bed that plays a vital role in mediating transfers since microplastics are buried and stored within the sediments on the river bed. During flood events, erosion of the bed surface means microplastics buried within the bed are exchanged with the surface across the active layer and are potentially re-mobilised. However, we have very little grasp on the magnitudes of floods required to mobilise the sediment bed such as to re-mobilise the microplastics and hence very little understanding of microplastic recontamination risk.

Elucidation of fecal inputs into the River Tagus catchment (Portugal) using source-specific mitochondrial DNA, HAdV, and phage markers

Science of The Total Environment, 2021

Pathogen infection risk to recreational water users, associated with surface waters impacted by de facto and indirect potable reuse activities

Science of The Total Environment, 2020

Water deficit, exacerbated by global population increases and climate change, necessitates the in... more Water deficit, exacerbated by global population increases and climate change, necessitates the investigation of alternative non-traditional water sources to augment existing supplies. Indirect potable reuse (IPR) represents a promising alternative water source in water-stressed 2 regions. Of high concern is the presence of pathogenic microorganisms in wastewater, such as enteric viruses, protozoa and bacteria. Therefore, a greater understanding of the potential impact to human health is required. The aim of this research was to use a quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) approach to calculate the probability of potential pathogen infection to the public in surface waters used for a range of recreational activities under scenarios: 1) existing de facto wastewater reuse conditions; 2) after augmentation with conventionally treated wastewater; and 3) after augmentation with reclaimed wastewater from proposed IPR schemes. Fourty-four 31 L samples were collected from river sites and a coastal wastewater treatment works from July 2016-May 2017. Concentrations of faecal indicator organisms (enterococci, faecal coliforms, somatic coliphages and Bacteroides phages) determined using culture-based approaches and selected pathogens (adenovirus, Salmonella and Cryptosporidium) determined using molecular approaches (qPCR) were used to inform QMRA. The mean probability of infection from adenovirus under de facto conditions was high (>0.90) for all recreational activities, per single event. The risk of adenovirus and Cryptosporidium infection increased under augmentation scenario (2) (mean probability 0.95-1.00 and 0.01-0.06 per single event, respectively). Adenovirus and Cryptosporidium infection risk decreased under reclaimed water augmentation scenario (3) (mean probability <0.79, excluding swimming, which remained 1.00 and <0.01 per single event, respectively). Pathogen reduction after reclaimed water augmentation in surface waters impacted by de facto reuse, provides important evidence for alternative water supply option selection. As such, this evidence may inform water managers and the public of the potential benefits of IPR and improve acceptance of such practices in the future.