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Sewage surveillance provides useful epidemiologic and public health information on viral infections at the population level. We detected monkeypox virus DNA from sewage samples covering 85% of the population in Santiago Metropolitan Region Chile. We also isolated infective viruses from those samples. Wastewater surveillance could complement clinical surveillance for monkeypox virus.

In this paper, magnetic ethylene diamine-functionalized graphene oxide (MDFGO) as a novel sorbent was synthesized and applied for removal of Pb(II) and Cd(II) from real wastewater samples. The morphology and molecular structure of MDFGO were studied by different analytical methods. The effective parameters in adsorption efficiency of Pb(II) and Cd(II) were studied and optimized using experimental design. Under the optimal condition, the effective parameters including pH, sorbent dosage, shaking rate, and adsorption time were 6.2, 33.0 mg, 500 rpm, and 11 min, respectively. Mechanism of adsorption kinetic was investigated using the Lagergren pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and intraparticle diffusion models. It was found that adsorption of lead and cadmium ions in the MDFGO sorbent followed from pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models, respectively. Thermodynamic parameters (ΔG°, ΔH°, and ΔS°) for the lead and cadmium ions uptake onto the MDFGO sorbent were calculated and indicated that the adsorption processes were spontaneous and endothermic in nature for both cations. In order to investigate the isotherm model for adsorption of Pb(II) and Cd(II), the experimental data were studied using the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Harkins–Jura isotherm models. The results fitted well with Freundlich model for both metal ions. The new sorbent (MDFGO) was applied to remove Pb(II) and Cd(II) from battery wastewater and electroplating wastewater. The removal percentage of Pb(II) and Cd(II) were 99.6±0.5 and 99.4±0.6, respectively, and demonstrated that the new sorbent was very suitable for removal of lead and cadmium ion from the real wastewater samples.

The authors report on the preparation of sol-gel coated magnetized carbon nanotubes whose surface were imprinted with Cd 2+ ions and the application of these materials on selective preconcentration of Cd 2+ ions in different water samples. Fe 3 O 4 particles and tetraethyl orthosilicate were used as a magnetic ingredient and as a surface modifier for the carbon nanotubes, respectively. The Cd 2+ -imprinted polymer was prepared by grafting copolymerization of Cd 2+ ions as template, methacryloylsulfamethizole and 2-vinylpyridine as polymerizable ligands, methacrylic acid as functional monomer, and ethyleneglycoldimethacrylate as crosslinker. The resulting magnetic nanoparticles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method, and by scanning electron microscopy. Isothermal absorption, absorption kinetics and selectivity were studied in detail. The experimental conditions were optimized. Figures of merit include (a) a maximum adsorption capacity of 81 mg·g −1 ; (b) relative selectivity coefficients of 2.41, 2.36, 1.41, 1.66, and 1.70 for Cd 2+ /Ni 2+ , Cd 2+ /Co 2+ , Cd 2+ /Zn 2+ , Cd 2+ /Cu 2+ , and Cd 2+ /Pb 2+ , respectively; (c) a detection limit of 0.29 ng·mL −1 , (d) an enrichment factor of 55.5; (e) an intra-day precisions of 1.13%; and (f) an inter-day precision of 1.39%. The method was successfully applied to the determination of cadmium in spiked samples including feed water of an ammonia production unit, tap water, industrial waste water from a petrochemical plant, river water from the Garrahi River, bay water from Khor Musa, and marsh water from the Shadegan wetland. Graphical Abstract Trace amounts of Cd 2+ ions in some environmental and industrial water samples were separated and preconcentrated by a new surface ion-imprinted polymer, chemically grafted on the surface of the magnetized carbon nanotubes, before determination using flame atomic absorption spectrometer.

This study assessed the geochemistry and quality of groundwater in the Hongdunzi coal mining area in northwest China and investigated the mechanisms governing its hydrogeochemistry and the hydraulic connectivity between adjacent aquifers. Thirty-four groundwater samples were collected for physicochemical analyses and bivariate analyses were used to investigate groundwater quality evolution. The groundwater in the mine was determined to be neutral to slightly alkaline, with high levels of salinity and hardness; most samples were of SO 4 ·Cl–Na type. Fluoride and nitrate pollution in the confined aquifers were identified, primarily sourced from coals. Natural geochemical processes, such as mineral dissolution, cation exchange, and groundwater evaporation, largely control groundwater chemistry. Anthropogenic inputs from agricultural and mining activities were also identified in both shallow unconfined aquifers and the deeper confined aquifers, respectively. It was determined that the middle confined aquifer has a high hydraulic connectivity with the lower coal-bearing aquifer due to developed fractures. Careful management of the overlying aquifers is required to avoid mine water inrush geohazards and groundwater quality deterioration. The groundwater in the mining area is generally of poor quality, and is unsuitable for direct human consumption or irrigation. Na + , SO 4 2− , Cl − , F − , TH, TDS, NO 3 − , and COD Mn are the major factors responsible for the poor quality of the phreatic water, while Na + , SO 4 2− , F − , and TDS are the major constituents affecting the confined groundwater quality. This study is beneficial for understanding the impacts of coal mine development on groundwater quality, and safeguarding sustainable mining in arid areas.

Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing are transforming energy production, but their potential environmental effects remain controversial. We analyzed 141 drinking water wells across the Appalachian Plateaus physiographic province of northeastern Pennsylvania, examining natural gas concentrations and isotopic signatures with proximity to shale gas wells. Methane was detected in 82% of drinking water samples, with average concentrations six times higher for homes <1 km from natural gas wells (P = 0.0006). Ethane was 23 times higher in homes <1 km from gas wells (P = 0.0013); propane was detected in 10 water wells, all within approximately 1 km distance (P = 0.01). Of three factors previously proposed to influence gas concentrations in shallow groundwater (distances to gas wells, valley bottoms, and the Appalachian Structural Front, a proxy for tectonic deformation), distance to gas wells was highly significant for methane concentrations (P = 0.007; multiple regression), whereas distances to valley bottoms and the Appalachian Structural Front were not significant (P = 0.27 and P = 0.11, respectively). Distance to gas wells was also the most significant factor for Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses (P < 0.01). For ethane concentrations, distance to gas wells was the only statistically significant factor (P < 0.005). Isotopic signatures (δ ¹³C-CH ₄, δ ¹³C-C ₂H ₆, and δ ²H-CH ₄), hydrocarbon ratios (methane to ethane and propane), and the ratio of the noble gas ⁴He to CH ₄ in groundwater were characteristic of a thermally postmature Marcellus-like source in some cases. Overall, our data suggest that some homeowners living <1 km from gas wells have drinking water contaminated with stray gases.

1. Knowledge of species distribution is critical to ecological management and conservation biology. Effective management requires the detection of populations, which can sometimes be at low densities and is usually based on visual detection and counting. 2. Recently, there has been considerable interest in the detection of short species-specific environmental DNA (eDNA) fragments to allow aquatic species monitoring within different environments due to the potential of greater sensitivity over traditional survey methods which can be time-consuming and costly. 3. Environmental DNA analysis is increasingly being used in the detection of rare or invasive species and has also been applied to eDNA persistence studies and estimations of species biomass and distribution. When combined with next-generation sequencing methods, it has been demonstrated that entire faunas can be identified. 4. Different environments require different sampling methodologies, but there remain areas where laboratory methodologies could be standardized to allow results to be compared across studies. 5. Synthesis and applications. We review recently published studies that use eDNA to monitor aquatic populations, discuss the methodologies used and the application of eDNA analysis as a survey tool in ecology. We include innovative ideas for how eDNA can be used for conservation and management citing test cases, for instance, the potential for on-site analyses, including the application of eDNA analysis to carbon nanotube platforms or laser transmission spectroscopy to facilitate rapid on-site detections. The use of eDNA monitoring is already being adopted in the UK for ecological surveys.

The main objective of the present study is to evaluate the hydrogeochemical characteristics of groundwater and its suitability for drinking water supply in Kangayam taluk, Tirupur district, Tamil Nadu, India. To achieve this objective, seventy-eight groundwater samples were collected from the wells spread over the study area during December 2016. The collected groundwater samples were tested in the laboratory for various hydrogeochemical parameters such as hydrogen ion concentration (pH), electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, total hardness, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, carbonate, nitrate, sulphate and fluoride. The analytical results were compared with WHO drinking water standards to assess the suitability of groundwater for drinking purposes. To understand the spatial variation of hydrogeochemical parameters over the study area, choropleth (zonation) maps were prepared using geographical information system (GIS). Overall groundwater quality zones were demarcated by overlaying and integrating all the spatial plots using GIS. Three groundwater quality zones such as (1) most desirable, (2) maximum allowable and (3) not permissible were demarcated based on the limits prescribed by the WHO for drinking purposes. This study indicates that 49% of the study area does not possess potable groundwater. About 21% of the area represents “most desirable” category, and the remaining 30% area represents “maximum allowable” category for drinking purposes. The Piper’s trilinear diagram indicates that groundwater of this region is Mixed CaMgCl type. As the groundwater quality is poor nearly 49% of the total area, it is necessary to go for treatment before drinking water supply. It is also essential to recharge the aquifer artificially to improve the quantity and quality of groundwater.

Arsenic (As) is a highly toxic and carcinogenic element. It has received considerable consideration worldwide in recent years due to its highest toxicity to human, and currently, high concentrations observed in the groundwater. Some recent media and research reports also highlighted possible As contamination of groundwater systems in Pakistan. However, there is a scarcity of data about As contents in groundwater in different areas/regions of the country. Consequently, the current study estimated the As concentration in the groundwater used for drinking purpose in 15 peri-urban sites of district Vehari, Pakistan. In total, 127 groundwater samples were collected and examined for As contents in addition to physicochemical characteristics such as temperature, electrical conductivity, pH, total soluble salts, chloride, carbonates, bicarbonates, sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium and barium. Results indicated that the groundwater samples were not fully fit for drinking purposes with several parameters, especially the alarming levels of As (mean As: 46.9 µg/L). It was found that 83% groundwater samples of peri-urban sites in district Vehari have As concentration greater than WHO lower permissible limit (10 µg/L). The risk assessment parameters (mean hazard quotient: 3.9 and mean cancer risk: 0.0018) also showed possible carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks associated with ingestion of As-contaminated groundwater at peri-urban sites. Based on the findings, it is anticipated that special monitoring and management of groundwater is necessary in the studied area in order to curtail the health risks associated with the use of As-contaminated drinking water. Moreover, appropriate remediation and removal of As from groundwater is also imperative for the study area before being used for drinking purpose to avoid As exposure and related risks to the local community.

The occurrence of sex steroid hormones, viz. oestrogens and progestins, in aquatic ecosystems is of global concern due to their role as endocrine disrupting chemicals, even at low concentration (μg L −1 or less). Thus, it is essential to monitor these organic pollutants to get a realistic picture of their presence and to control their contamination levels in environmental water bodies. In this respect, we have explored the use of self-prepared polymeric films as novel sorptive phase for the microextraction of 17β-estradiol, 17α-ethinylestradiol, estrone, progesterone, medroxyprogesterone acetate and hydroxyprogesterone. The thin film microextraction procedure has been developed, evaluating different film compositions, sample volumes and elution conditions to recover the sorbed analytes. The overall method provides good reproducibility (RSD < 12%) and recoveries higher than 60%. The final method has been applied to environmental monitoring in surface waters (river and lake samples) and urban wastewater treatment plant effluents and influents from Northern Italy, to get a contamination snapshot of this highly urbanized area.

Microplastics (particles less than 5 mm) numerically dominate marine debris and occur from coastal waters to mid-ocean gyres, where surface circulation concentrates them. Given the prevalence of plastic marine debris (PMD) and the rise in plastic production, the impacts of plastic on marine ecosystems will likely increase. Microscopic life (the \"Plastisphere\") thrives on these tiny floating \"islands\" of debris and can be transported long distances. Using next-generation DNA sequencing, we characterized bacterial communities from water and plastic samples from the North Pacific and North Atlantic subtropical gyres to determine whether the composition of different Plastisphere communities reflects their biogeographic origins. We found that these communities differed between ocean basins - and to a lesser extent between polymer types - and displayed latitudinal gradients in species richness. Our research reveals some of the impacts of microplastics on marine biodiversity, demonstrates that the effects and fate of PMD may vary considerably in different parts of the global ocean, and suggests that PMD mitigation will require regional management efforts.