Detection of fecal coliforms and SARS-CoV-2 RNA in sewage and recreational waters in the Ecuadorian Coast: a call for improving water quality regulation
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Abstract
Wastewater surveillance represents an alternative approach for the diagnosis and early detection of infectious agents of public health importance. This study aimed to evaluate SARS-CoV-2 and other quality markers in oxidation lagoons, estuarine areas and seawater at Guayas and Santa Elena in Ecuador. Sample collections were conducted twice at 42 coastal sites and 2 oxidation lagoons during dry and rainy seasons (2020-2021). Physico-chemical and microbiological parameters were evaluated to determine organic pollution. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR was conducted to detect SARS-CoV-2. Results showed high levels of Escherichia coli and low dissolved oxygen concentrations. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in sea-waters and estuaries with salinity levels between 34.2-36.4 PSU and 28.8 °C-31.3 °C. High amounts of fecal coliforms were detected and correlated with the SARS-CoV-2 shedding. We recommend to decentralized autonomous governments in developing countries such as Ecuador to implement corrective actions and establish medium-term mechanisms to minimize a potential contamination route.
HIGHLIGHTS
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SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in estuaries, bays and the wastewater treatment systems in Playas and Santa Elena.
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High levels of fecal coliforms were detected along shorelines.
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Water quality parameters revealed a negative impact on the beaches studied associated with human activities.
Article activity feed
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SciScore for 10.1101/2022.01.04.22268771: (What is this?)
Please note, not all rigor criteria are appropriate for all manuscripts.
Table 1: Rigor
Ethics Field Sample Permit: Water sampling and in situ analyses: A total of 84 surface seawater samples were collected at 15 beaches (A1-O22) and two oxidation lagoons, in Playas (OL-A) and Punta Carnero (OL-B) (Figure 1, Table 1) between July 18th, 2020 and January 30th, 2021. Sex as a biological variable not detected. Randomization not detected. Blinding not detected. Power Analysis not detected. Table 2: Resources
No key resources detected.
Results from OddPub: We did not detect open data. We also did not detect open code. Researchers are encouraged to share open data when possible (see Nature blog).
Results from LimitationRecognizer: An explicit section about the limitations of the techniques employed in …SciScore for 10.1101/2022.01.04.22268771: (What is this?)
Please note, not all rigor criteria are appropriate for all manuscripts.
Table 1: Rigor
Ethics Field Sample Permit: Water sampling and in situ analyses: A total of 84 surface seawater samples were collected at 15 beaches (A1-O22) and two oxidation lagoons, in Playas (OL-A) and Punta Carnero (OL-B) (Figure 1, Table 1) between July 18th, 2020 and January 30th, 2021. Sex as a biological variable not detected. Randomization not detected. Blinding not detected. Power Analysis not detected. Table 2: Resources
No key resources detected.
Results from OddPub: We did not detect open data. We also did not detect open code. Researchers are encouraged to share open data when possible (see Nature blog).
Results from LimitationRecognizer: An explicit section about the limitations of the techniques employed in this study was not found. We encourage authors to address study limitations.Results from TrialIdentifier: No clinical trial numbers were referenced.
Results from Barzooka: We did not find any issues relating to the usage of bar graphs.
Results from JetFighter: We did not find any issues relating to colormaps.
Results from rtransparent:- Thank you for including a conflict of interest statement. Authors are encouraged to include this statement when submitting to a journal.
- Thank you for including a funding statement. Authors are encouraged to include this statement when submitting to a journal.
- No protocol registration statement was detected.
Results from scite Reference Check: We found no unreliable references.
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