TY - JOUR
AU - Robins, Peter E
AU - Dickson, Neil
AU - Kevill, Jessica L.
AU - Malham, Sheila K.
AU - Singer, Andrew C
AU - Quilliam, Richard S.
AU - Jones, Davey L.
PY - 2022
DA - September
TI - Predicting the dispersal of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from the wastewater treatment plant to the coast
JO - Heliyon
VL - 8
IS - 9
DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10547
AB - Viral pathogens including SARS-CoV-2 RNA have been detected in wastewater treatment effluent, and untreated sewage overflows, that pose an exposure hazard to humans. We assessed whether SARS-CoV-2 RNA was likely to have been present in detectable quantities in UK rivers and estuaries during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. We simulated realistic viral concentrations parameterised on the Camel and Conwy catchments (UK) and their populations, showing detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations for untreated but not for treated loading, but also being contingent on viral decay, hydrology, catchment type/shape, and location. Under mean or low river flow conditions, viral RNA concentrated within the estuaries allowing for viral build-up and caused a lag by up to several weeks between the peak in community infections and the viral peak in the environment. There was an increased hazard posed by SARS-CoV-2 RNA with a T90 decay rate &gt;24 h, as the estuarine build-up effect increased. High discharge events transported the viral RNA downstream and offshore, increasing the exposure risk to coastal bathing waters and shellfisheries – although dilution in this case reduced viral concentrations well below detectable levels. Our results highlight the sensitivity of exposure to viral pathogens downstream of wastewater treatment, across a range of viral loadings and catchment characteristics – with implications to environmental surveillance.
PB - Elsevier
UR - http://hdl.handle.net/1893/34606
KW - Coronavirus (COVID-19)
KW - Environment, community and place
ER