Day 1 :
Keynote Forum
Jingrang Lu
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, USA
Keynote: qPCR and RT-qPCR of harmful cyanobacteria at Lake Harsha, Ohio, during summer
Time : 09:30-10:00
Biography:
Jingrang Lu is a Biologist at the US Environmental Protection Agency in Cincinnati, USA. His research work focuses on the molecular method developmentrnand detection of pathogenic bacteria in water using transcriptomic, metagenomic and genomic analysis and host animal model and to assess water quality andrnpathogenic risks. He holds a PhD in Microbial Ecology and MS in Zoology. He has over 60 peer reviewed publications to his credit. His main interests are to applyrnmolecular approaches to applied environmental microbiology and public health researches.
Abstract:
Cyanobacteria blooms have increased in recent years and are becoming a greater public concern due to their potentialrnecological and health impacts. Detection of toxic cyanobacteria using qPCR and RT-qPCR allows for the rapid identifi cationrnof blooms by combining specifi city and sensitivity with speed and high sample processing capability. Toxic cyanobacteria fromrnthe water samples of fi ve sites in Lake Harsha, which is used for local recreational activities and as a source of drinking water,rnwere detected using a panel of qPCR assays for most of toxin-producers (HEP and CD1) or only toxic Microcystis spp. (mcyGrnand mcyA-MS) targeting the toxin-producing genes of mcyA, mcyE, ndaF and mcyG. Overall performance of the four assaysrnwere highly correlated with each other for DNA along weekly and daily samples, indicating similar level of copy numbers andrnamplifi cation effi ciency of the targeted genes. Th e quantity of total toxic cyanobacteria reached >108 cell L-1 in early June andrnremained at high density until the end of July. During this period, the signals of qPCR between HEP and mcyG or mcyAMSrnwere in agreement and demonstrated that Microcystis spp. dominated the toxin producers. Before this period, the lowerrnamount of toxic cyanobacteria refl ected by HEP and CD1, were non- Microcystis spp., while aft er this period approximatelyrnonly half of Microcystis spp. accounted for the total toxin producers. RT-qPCR results showed the same trend as qPCR but withrnhigher variations in assays for Microcystis spp., indicating potential toxins were produced mainly by Microcystis spp. Generallyrnmuch lower signals of qPCR and RT-qPCR were detected from deep water than surface water suggesting that the majority ofrntoxins were generated from surface water. Further analysis will be performed with microscopic and physiochemical data andrntoxin measurement to determine future development of molecular tools and its application to monitoring toxic cyanobacteria.
- Drinking Water Microbiology
Waste Water Treatment
Water Related infections
Chair
Jingrang Lu
Environmental Protection Agency, USA
Co-Chair
Claudia Gallert
University of Applied Science Emden Leer, Germany
Session Introduction
Claudia Gallert
University of Applied Science Emden Leer, Germany
Title: Elimination of micro-pollutants and pathogenic (antibiotic resistant) bacteria by advanced waste water treatment technologies
Biography:
Claudia Gallert is an Environmental Microbiologist with research experience of 25 years in the fi eld of waste water and waste treatment, soil remediation and biotechnological production of value-added products. She has published more than 50 papers in peer-reviewed journals and she is also a member of different professional groups.
Abstract:
Elimination of bacteria by ozonation in combination with adsorption onto activated carbon or slow sand fi ltration is a possibility for advanced sewage treatment in order to improve the quality of treated sewage and to reduce the potential risk for human health and of receiving surface waters. To determine the elimination of sewage bacteria, infl owing and leaving waste water of diff erent treatment processes was analyzed in a culture-based and qPCR approach for its content of Escherichia coli, Enterococci and staphylococci and their resistance against selected antibiotics over a period of 17 months. For Enterococci, single species and their antibiotic resistances were identifi ed. In comparison to the standard waste water treatment process, ozonation plus adsorption onto activated carbon and/or sand fi ltration reduced the concentrations of total and antibiotic resistant E. coli, Enterococci and staphylococci. However, antibiotic resistant E. coli and staphylococci apparently survived ozone treatment better than antibiotic sensitive strains. Neither vancomycin resistant Enterococci nor methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were detected by a culture-based approach. Th e decreased percentage of antibiotic resistant Enterococci aft er ozonation may be explained by a diff erent ozone sensitivity of species: Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis, which determined the resistance-level, seemed to be more sensitive for ozone than other Enterococcus species. Overall, ozonation followed by adsorption onto activated carbon or sand fi ltration led to 0.8-1.1 log-units less total and antibiotic resistant E. coli, Enterococci and staphylococci. Th us, advanced waste water treatment aft er common sewage treatment is an eff ective tool for further elimination of microorganisms from sewage before discharge in surface water.
Claudia Gallert
University of Applied Science Emden Leer, Germany
Title: Elimination of micro-pollutants and pathogenic (antibiotic resistant) bacteria by advanced waste water treatment technologies
Time : 10:00-10:25
Biography:
Claudia Gallert is an Environmental Microbiologist with research experience of 25 years in the fi eld of waste water and waste treatment, soil remediation and biotechnological production of value-added products. She has published more than 50 papers in peer-reviewed journals and she is also a member of different professional groups.
Abstract:
Elimination of bacteria by ozonation in combination with adsorption onto activated carbon or slow sand fi ltration is a possibility for advanced sewage treatment in order to improve the quality of treated sewage and to reduce the potential risk for human health and of receiving surface waters. To determine the elimination of sewage bacteria, infl owing and leaving waste water of diff erent treatment processes was analyzed in a culture-based and qPCR approach for its content of Escherichia coli, Enterococci and staphylococci and their resistance against selected antibiotics over a period of 17 months. For Enterococci, single species and their antibiotic resistances were identifi ed. In comparison to the standard waste water treatment process, ozonation plus adsorption onto activated carbon and/or sand fi ltration reduced the concentrations of total and antibiotic resistant E. coli, Enterococci and staphylococci. However, antibiotic resistant E. coli and staphylococci apparently survived ozone treatment better than antibiotic sensitive strains. Neither vancomycin resistant Enterococci nor methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were detected by a culture-based approach. Th e decreased percentage of antibiotic resistant Enterococci aft er ozonation may be explained by a diff erent ozone sensitivity of species: Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis, which determined the resistance-level, seemed to be more sensitive for ozone than other Enterococcus species. Overall, ozonation followed by adsorption onto activated carbon or sand fi ltration led to 0.8-1.1 log-units less total and antibiotic resistant E. coli, Enterococci and staphylococci. Th us, advanced waste water treatment aft er common sewage treatment is an eff ective tool for further elimination of microorganisms from sewage before discharge in surface water.
Biography:
Prof. Malka Halpern is is an Environmental Microbiologist at the University of Haifa. She has completed her PhD from Haifa University, Israel and her postdoctoral studies from Tel-Aviv University, Israel. Her main interests are the ecology of waterborne pathogens and in particular Vibrio cholerae, Aeromonas and Legionella, Plant-bacteria interactions and Bacterial taxonomy. She has published more than 49 papers in reputed journals.
Abstract:
Bacteria of the genus Legionella cause water-based infections, resulting in severe pneumonia. Our aim was to improve our knowledge regarding Legionella ecology in drinking water systemes in Israel. Seasonal samples were taken from water and biofilm at seven sampling points of a small drinking water distribution system. Legionella pneumophila (Lp) was isolated and identified to its genotype level. High resolution genotyping of Lp isolates was achieved by Multiple-Locus Variable number of tandem repeat Analysis (MLVA). Within the studied water system, Legionella plate counts were significantly higher in summer. Legionella was isolated from six out of the seven selected sampling points, with counts up to 5.8*103 cfu/l. Lp counts were negatively correlated with chlorine. Five Lp MLVA-genotypes (Gt4, GT6, GT15, GT17 and GT48) were identified at different buildings along the water systeme route. The presence of a specific genotype, GT4, consistently co-occurred with high Legionella counts and seemed to “trigger†high Legionella counts in cold water. In laboratory experiments GT4 isolates exhibited superior growth abilities at 37°C-42°C, with shorter lag-phase (λ), higher growth rates (µm) and maximal cell densities (A), compared to 25°C-30°C, and also compared to genotypes GT6 and GT15 at the same tempertaures. GT4 strains were observed as causative agents of Legionnaire's disease. Our hypothesis is that the presence of specific genotypes, may indicate high Legionella concentration in water and that adaptation for growth at human body temperatures may assist some Lp strains to successfully infect and proliferate within the human body, thus facilitating their ability to cause illness.
Yuanyuan Qiu
University of Alberta, Canada
Title: Assessment of Human Viruses in Municipal Wastewater in Calgary, Canada
Biography:
Judy Yuanyuan Qiu is Postdoctoral Fellow at Provincial Laboratory for Public Health in University Of Alberta. Earlier She is Postdoctoral Fellow Canadian Blood Services, her expertise is Molecular Biology, Cell Biology ,Genetics ,Biochemistry ,Immunology, Cancer Biology ,Cell Culture and PCR
Abstract:
Water shortage is an increasing problem worldwide. Effective treatment of wastewater for reuse has attracted interests for public and scientific community. Currently, most of the studies related to the quality of reclaimed wastewater focus on the bacteriological indicators, such as E.coli and total coliform. There is limited data of human viruses in wastewater. In fact, human enteric viruses are present at high levels in wastewater, which poses a potential risk to public health and hinders application of reuse. The objective of this study is to assess the effect of UV treatment on the virus removal at two municipal wastewater treatment plants in Calgary, Canada. Ten liters of pre- and post-UV treatment wastewater samples were collected in duplicate monthly for 12 months. Viruses were concentrated by filtration, elution, and flocculation followed by nucleic acid extraction. A real-time quantitative PCR viral panel was used for detection and quantification of eight viruses including norovirus (NoV), rotavirus (RV), sapovirus (SaV), astrovirus (AsV), adenovirus (AdV), enterovirus (EV), JC virus (JCV) and reovirus (ReoV). Viral infectivity was assessed using both cell culture and integrated cell culture and qPCR (ICC-qPCR). NoV, RV, AsV and AdV were detected in all 24, EV and JCV in 23, and SaV in 22 of pre-UV samples, respectively. The mean viral load (except ReoV) ranged from 3.06 (JCV) to 5.77 (RV) log10 DNA copies/L in pre-UV samples and 3.23 (JCV) to 5.68 (RV) log10 DNA copies/L in post-UV samples. The average virus removal by UV treatment ranged from -0.42 (JCV) to 0.52 (NoV) log as assessed by qPCR, which may be due to the sample variation and the limitation of qPCR in detection of live viruses. Further studies on developing a qPCR method to differentiate the infectious and non-infectious viruses are of interests. Cell culture and ICC-qPCR detected infectious viruses in all 24 pre-UV, and 19 out of 24 post-UV samples. Approximately 1.8 log reduction of infectious viruses could be achieved by current industrial standard UV treatment. The results indicate a moderate effect of UV treatment on virus inactivation in municipal wastewater, which urges further studies to increase the understanding of the effect of UV treatment on human viruses in wastewater to improve the wastewater reuse and public safety as treated wastewater is discharged into river and could become source water for downstream users.
Luz E de-Bashan
The Bashan Institute of Science, USA
Title: Creation of synthetic mutualism to improve understanding of the relationships between microalgae and bacteria in fresh water
Biography:
Luz E de-Bashan is the Vice-President of The Bashan Institute of Science, Alabama, USA and an Associate Professor at CIBNOR in Mexico. She has received her PhD from Laval University in Canada and Postdoctoral studies at the University of Arizona. She has published 113 scientifi c works, of which 58 were published in peer-review journals with high impact factors. She also serves as an Editorial Board Member of 3 scientifi c journals, ad hoc Reviewer of an additional 44 scientifi c journals in 12 countries and 4 funding agencies. Her studies were cited over 5700 times and her H-index is 34.
Abstract:
A simple, quantitative synthetic mutualism model, off ering a convenient and basic approach to studies of plant-bacterium interactions was developed and tested. Th is model involves immobilizing a unicellular, freshwater microalga, a species of Chlorella that serves as the plant and a plant growth-promoting bacterium (PGPB), a strain of a species of Azospirillum of agricultural origin. Th e two micro-organisms are immobilized together in small alginate beads to allow close initial interaction and avoid external interference from bacterial contaminants. Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) that is produced by the bacteria has demonstrated its role in enhancing growth rates and population size of the microalga. Th e microalgae produce and exude tryptophan and thiamine, which are the precursors of IAA formation. Carbon and nitrogen molecules are exchanged between the two partners in this synthetic mutualism. Th is close interaction positively aff ects nitrogen, phosphorus, carbohydrates, lipids and photosynthesis metabolisms. All these signifi cant metabolic changes during co-immobilization of the two micro-organisms are interlinked and off er several biotechnological applications. Th ese include waste water treatment, carbohydrate and lipid production, photosynthetic pigments and food for human and animals. Th is synthetic mutualism model is also a simple and easy way to study fundamental physiological and molecular studies.
Adelaide Almeida
University of Aveiro, Portugal
Title: Photodynamic inactivation of microorganisms in waste water: An effective approach with low environmental impact
Biography:
Adelaide Almeida is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Biology in the University of Aveiro, Portugal, where she has obtained her PhD degree in 2001. She is an integrated Member of the Associated Laboratory Centre for Environmental and Marine Sciences (CESAM). In the last years, she has been involved in the development and application of alternative methods to the use of antibiotics, such as photodynamic therapy and phage therapy.
Abstract:
Waste water (WW) with a high content of pathogens, containing even multidrug resistant microorganisms, particularly when hospital effl uents are included, is a current area of concern aff ecting the quality of natural water. Hospital WW effl uents are discharged as conventional urban effl uents to the municipal sewage system without prior treatment. Secondary treatment of WW is usually considered suffi cient; however, the secondary effl uent still contains infective concentrations of microorganisms (MO). In order to reduce the concentration of pathogens in WW to levels comparable to those found in natural water, the tertiary effl uent is usually subjected to disinfection with chlorine, ozone or ultraviolet light (UV). Chlorination and UV may lead to the formation of toxic products and also might result to the selection of resistant genes. Th e antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation (PDI) may represent an alternative to the traditional expensive, unsafe and not always eff ective disinfection methods. PDI with photosensitizers (PS) and visible light has demonstrated to be eff ective in the destruction of MO via photogeneration of reactive oxygen species (ROS) able to induce microbial inactivation. As PDI is a multi-target approach, the selection of photo-resistant strains aft er treatment is unlikely. Th e main goal of this work was to assess the effi ciency of PDI on non-clinical and on clinical multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in domestic and hospital waste water in order to evaluate its potential use to treat WW effl uents. Th e effi ciency of PDI was assessed using a cationic porphyrin as photosensitizer (PS), non-clinical bacteria and clinical MDR-bacteria either in phosphate buff ered saline or in fi ltrated domestic and hospital waste water. Th e synergistic eff ect of PDI and antibiotics (ampicillin and chloramphenicol) was also evaluated. Th e results show an effi cient inactivation of non-clinical and MDR bacteria in PBS (reduction of 6-8 log aft er 270 min). In waste water, the inactivation of bacteria was also effi cient and the decrease in bacterial survival starts even sooner. A faster decrease in bacterial survival occurred when PDI was combined with the addition of antibiotics. It can be concluded that PDI has potential to be an eff ective alternative for the inactivation of bacteria, even MDR; in waste waters and that the presence of antibiotics in hospital WW may enhance its eff ectiveness.
Arun K. Bhunia
Purdue University, USA
Title: Laser Optical Sensor for Rapid On-Plate Screening of Water and Food-borne Pathogens
Biography:
Prof. Bhunia has received his PhD from University of Wyoming and postdoctoral training from University of Arkansas. Currently, he is professor of food microbiology at Purdue University and the Chair of Microbiology Training Group of Purdue University interdisciplinary Life Sciences program (PULSe). His expertise is in the area of foodborne pathogen detection, pathogenesis, and probiotic vaccine. He has published 154 research articles, 2 text books (Fundamental Food Microbiology; Foodborne Microbial Pathogens), 3 edited books, and delivered over 115 talks in national and international venues. He holds 3 patents, and has received Purdue Agriculture Research Award, Purdue Faculty Scholar, Purdue Team Award, IFT R&D Award, Outstanding Graduate Educator Award, and the recipient of High-End Foreign Experts Recruitment Program (China) fellowship. He is also a member of the USDA National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF).
Abstract:
Rapid pathogen testing tools are in high demand. A novel, label-free on-plate colony screening tool employing light scattering technology, called BARDOT (bacterial rapid detection using optical scattering technology) for pathogens from water, food, clinical specimens and environmental samples is described. When a red diode laser (635 nm) is illuminated in the center of a bacterial colony, it generates unique scatter signature for each phylogeny. BARDOT was used for detection and identification of Vibrio spp., Salmonella spp, Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria, and Bacillus spp. using scatter image libraries. It was also used sucessfully for detection and identification of Enterobactericiae and coliforms from food and water samples. The colonies are further confirmed by PCR or genome sequencing, thus BARDOT could serve as a pre-screening tool for molecular analysis of pathogens from food and water.
Han Sup Uhm
Kwangwoon University, South Korea
Title: Oracle Water, the Safeguard of Humankind against Viruses and Germs
Biography:
Han S. Uhm has completed his PhD from University of Maryland, Senior Research Associate in University of Maryland, Executive Research Scientist in US Naval Surface Warfare Center, Professor in Ajou University, South Korea, Director of Plasma Technology, Institute of Advanced Engineering, South Korea, Chair professor in Kwangwoon University, South Korea and Lifetime Member of Korean Academy of Science and Technology. He has published more than 460 SCI papers and registered more than 90 patent registrations in US, Korea and other countries.
Abstract:
The oracle water is the safeguard of humankind against biological and chemical warfare agents, protecting livestock against germs and viruses, and protecting the marine environment by preventing ship-board pollution during trans-ocean voyages. Particularly, this water provides the perfect and complete sterilization of the most deadly biological agents, Anthrax. In other words, this water is the only efficient means for complete sterilization of anthrax spores, stockpiles of which are not safely regulated by many world governments, thereby potentially posing a serious danger to mankind. In addition to anthrax spores, this water is also applicable to and capable of eradicating many different types of deadly microbes such as H1N1, MERS, Ebola, Foot and Mouth Disease in pigs and cows. As far as the protection of the marine environment is concerned, this water the only solution in the world, that completely sterilizes the ballast water of ships, including phyto- and zoo-plankton as well as bacteria spores. Existing systems currently being used have a limited capability of treating phyto-plankton only. The ways to make oracle water will be presented and the eradication data of microbes by this water will also be presented in detail.
Josef Winter
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany
Title: Microbiology in arsenate and selenate containing groundwater
Biography:
Josef Winter is an Environmental Microbiologist with research experience of more than 25 years in the fi eld of waste water and waste treatment, soil remediation and biotechnological production of value-added products. He has published more than 100 articles in peer-reviewed journals and is a member of different professional groups.
Abstract:
Groundwater of Punjab/Haryana in Northern India and of the Bengal delta in Southern India exceeds by far the WHO guidelines for Se and As, respectively. Se-containing groundwater is used for irrigation since about 30 years and due to crop rotation from wheat to rice instead of corn much more irrigation water is required and thus Se enriches in top soil. Se seems to adsorb to humic substances since Se concentrations decrease with depth. High Se-concentrations lead to irregular, patchy plant growth and fruit are poisonous to humans, causing lethal skin lesions called selenosis over the years. Selenite and selenate reducing bacteria in top soil convert water soluble Se into insoluble Se nanoparticles if enough bio-available DOC is supplied. Duganella and Arthrobacter species were isolated from soil of Punjab. Th ese soil bacteria form pure Se nanoparticles if grown in pure culture that can easily be isolated and applied in biotechnology and medicine. Geogenic arsenic of the Himalaya is eroded and transported with river water. With soil particles it sediments over decades in the Bengal delta in Southern India. Due to low solubility of arsenate in pure, oxygencontaining groundwater toxic arsenic concentrations in water from deep wells are below health-aff ecting concentrations. However, if groundwater from less deep wells is polluted by soluble DOC, oxygen is used up rapidly and bacteria such as Pseudomonas species respire or reduce arsenate to water-soluble arsenite, which is similar toxic as senenate if the water is consumed by animals or humans, causing arsenicosis. Solubilization of arsenate was shown in a large fi eld experiment. Pseudomonas sp. was isolated and rapid selenite production from selenate occurred during growth.
Thomas Jensen
Technical University of Denmark, Ballerup Campus, Denmark
Title: Future wastewater solutions: removal of pharmaceuticals in conventional wastewater treatment plants
Biography:
Thomas Jensen’, age 37, background gives strong foundation for raising projects with complex issues both in the design phase and during exportation. For many years engaged in the energy and process optimization in the utilities sector (water supply and waste water) and teaching at Universities, which gained a broad knowledge of project planning, project management, financial management, creating collaborations, supervision etc. In addition, experience from the design of electrical and control systems for wastewater treatment plants and sewage systems. Thomas Jensen worked in several international environments that have enhanced the understanding of work across language and cultural boundaries.
Abstract:
Residues of pharmaceuticals, personal care products and industrial chemicals find their way into the environment mainly through incomplete removal in the conventional urban wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and appear as micro-pollutants at pg L-1 to µg L-1 concentrations. WWTPs were designed to remove macro-pollutants (BOD, N, P), and therefore remove micro-pollutants only to some extent. Efficient removal of micro-pollutants appears presently as one of main challenges for the WWTPs in Denmark as well worldwide. Several hospitals in Denmark are currently facing the strict regulation with regards to discharge of pharmaceuticals in wastewater effluents. Nonetheless, the challenge of the growing number of ambulant treatments and increasing consumption of pharmaceuticals at home has not been addressed so far. Already now more than 95% of pharmaceutical consumption happens at home. Moreover, the database entries with emission sources reports that WWTPs are the dominant emission pathway of pharmaceuticals into the aquatic environment, while hospitals are listed as the second most frequently listed emission source. In this view, the regulation for the largest hospitals in Denmark may be perceived as a first step towards reduction of micro-pollutants in the aquatic environment, while introduction of a new regulation for the WWTPs will follow as a second step. In cooperation with Danish water utility Fors A/S, Aarhus University, Department of Environmental Science and Technical University of Denmark an innovation project have been setup to test and analyses for micro-pollutants within two WWTP. Fors A/S provides effluent samples from their two biggest WWTPs, while Aarhus University performs the analyses of micro-pollutants in the effluents by means of advanced analytical techniques. The analyses target approximately 26 micro-pollutants, including common antibiotics, pain killers, antidepressants, contrast media and blood pressure pharmaceuticals. We compared the measured concentrations in the effluents with the current emission limits required for the hospitals, and assessed the necessity of implementing further actions to improve removal of micro-pollutants at these two WWTPs.
Thomas Jensen
Technical University of Denmark, Denmark
Title: Future wastewater solutions: removal of pharmaceuticals in conventional wastewater treatment plants
Biography:
Thomas Jensen’, age 37, background gives strong foundation for raising projects with complex issues both in the design phase and during exportation. For many years engaged in the energy and process optimization in the utilities sector (water supply and waste water) and teaching at Universities, which gained a broad knowledge of project planning, project management, financial management, creating collaborations, supervision etc. In addition, experience from the design of electrical and control systems for wastewater treatment plants and sewage systems. Thomas Jensen worked in several international environments that have enhanced the understanding of work across language and cultural boundaries.
Abstract:
Residues of pharmaceuticals, personal care products and industrial chemicals find their way into the environment mainly through incomplete removal in the conventional urban wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and appear as micro-pollutants at pg L-1 to µg L-1 concentrations. WWTPs were designed to remove macro-pollutants (BOD, N, P), and therefore remove micro-pollutants only to some extent. Efficient removal of micro-pollutants appears presently as one of main challenges for the WWTPs in Denmark as well worldwide. Several hospitals in Denmark are currently facing the strict regulation with regards to discharge of pharmaceuticals in wastewater effluents. Nonetheless, the challenge of the growing number of ambulant treatments and increasing consumption of pharmaceuticals at home has not been addressed so far. Already now more than 95% of pharmaceutical consumption happens at home. Moreover, the database entries with emission sources reports that WWTPs are the dominant emission pathway of pharmaceuticals into the aquatic environment, while hospitals are listed as the second most frequently listed emission source. In this view, the regulation for the largest hospitals in Denmark may be perceived as a first step towards reduction of micro-pollutants in the aquatic environment, while introduction of a new regulation for the WWTPs will follow as a second step. In cooperation with Danish water utility Fors A/S, Aarhus University, Department of Environmental Science and Technical University of Denmark an innovation project have been setup to test and analyses for micro-pollutants within two WWTP. Fors A/S provides effluent samples from their two biggest WWTPs, while Aarhus University performs the analyses of micro-pollutants in the effluents by means of advanced analytical techniques. The analyses target approximately 26 micro-pollutants, including common antibiotics, pain killers, antidepressants, contrast media and blood pressure pharmaceuticals. We compared the measured concentrations in the effluents with the current emission limits required for the hospitals, and assessed the necessity of implementing further actions to improve removal of micro-pollutants at these two WWTPs.
Lourdes Rodriguez-Chianga
Aalto University, School of Chemical Technology, Espoo, Finland
Title: Methane potential of acetate-rich wastewater and the effect of lignin presence
Biography:
Lourdes received a double degree M.Sc. in Chemical Technology from KTH, Sweden and University of Bologna. Her previous experiences involve environmental consultancy and managing operation of wastewater treatment plants. She is a PhD candidate under the SELECT+ Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctoral Programme. Her reasearch at Aalto University in Finland and UPC in Spain focuses on assessing and improving the methane yield in biogas from the anaerobic digestion of pulping effluents in order to increase energy recovery and reduce waste
Abstract:
The pulp and paper industry is an energy and water intensive industry. It generates an average of 13 to 30 m³ of water per ton of produced paper. Usually these effluents are collected together and treated in an activated sludge plant, overlooking its potential energy recovery. The aim of this study is to assess the methane potential of the codigestion of two streams of a pulp mill and moreover evaluate the effects after hydrotalcite (double layered hydroxides) addition. Substrate A was condensate effluent originating from the evaporators; this effluent is characterized by having low volatile solids (VS) but high acetic acid content providing readily degradable material for methane production. Substrate B was effluent from the fiber channel circulation, characterized by high Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and lignin content. Different mixtures of both substrates were evaluated simulating the current volume conditions of the mill. Measuresments were taken following the Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) test procedure. Results demonstrated an exponential decay in methane production when the fraction of lignin was increased. However the lowest methane yield observed (539 mL CH4/gVS) is still above the average yield of common pulping effluents found in the literature. Lignin presence has a detrimental effect on the methane production resulting in a 52% decrease in production when the fraction of lignin in increased by 1.2%. The addition of Fe-Zn-Mg-Al hydrotalcite (HT) presented a positive effect on methane potential increasing production up to 16% as well as higher COD reductions and faster production rate.
Krithika Ramchander
Massachussets Institute of Technology, MA, USA
Title: Dry Preservation of Xylem Water Filters for Point-of-Use Filtration of Microbes from Drinking Water
Biography:
Krithika Ramchander completed her Bachelors from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, India in 2013. She is currently a Masters student in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Massachussets Institute of Technology and a fellow with the Tata Center for Technology and Design. Before coming to MIt, she worked with Shell for an year on the deisgn and inspection of heat transfer equipemnt such as heat exchangers, furnaces etc.
Abstract:
Studies suggest that the relatively high cost of point-of-use water filters is one of the main barriers that prevent their adoption in poor communities. The recently demonstrated ability of sapconducting xylem tissue in the sapwood of coniferous trees to filter out bacteria from water opens the possibility of realizing inexpensive, locally-manufacturable, and disposable point-of-use water purification devices. However, a major challenge associated with the use of xylem for water filtration is the drop in permeability and deterioration in rejection ability due to the structural changes induced during drying. We investigated the drying process in xylem tissue of Eastern White Pine and explored the effects of drying conditions, geometry of the filter, and solvent on drying. Through this investigation, we have developed methods to preserve the structural integrity of the xylem and minimize the negative impacts on filtration characteristics due to drying, which address the critical issue of transportation and shelf-life of these filters. Further, we find that the permeability after drying is a strong function of filter length, which enables understanding of tradeoffs in the filtration device design to achieve an optimal balance between flow rate and rejection ability. Building upon these advances, we have demonstrated gravity-driven filtration through xylem filters and conducted preliminary investigations of fouling and filter lifetime. These results demonstrate a step towards realization of cost-effective point-of-use xylem water filters for removal of pathogens from drinking water.
Oscar Orlando Ortiz-Rodriguez
University of Pamplona, Colombia
Title: Using life cycle assessment as a tool for potable water treatment plants (U-LCA-PWTPs)
Biography:
Oscar Orlando Ortiz-Rodriguez has completed his PhD from Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Spain and Master of Engineering Management from QUT, Brisbane, Australia. He is a full Professor at University of Pamplona and the Director of the research group Nanoscience and Sustainable development at the same university. He has published more than 10 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as a Member of the Colombian Red of Life Cycle Assessment.
Abstract:
Currently, there is great concern about those processes which directly or indirectly contribute to climate change and other environmental impacts. In this context, and provided that water treated constitutes a basic public utility delivered in urban centers around the world and in some rural areas, the impact of its emissions on the environment has been considered to be of great interest. Hence, the current research applied the environmental methodology of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental loads of four potable water treatment plants (PWTPs) located in northeastern Colombia following international guidelines of ISO 14040. Th e diff erent stages of the purifi cation process, from the catchment point through pumping to the distribution network were thoroughly assessed. Th e functional unit was defi ned as 1 m3 of water treated. Th e results allowed determining that in plants 1 and 2, the fl occulation process has the highest environmental load, which is mostly attributable to the coagulant agent with a range between 47-73% of the total impact. In plants 3 and 4, electric power consumption was identifi ed as the greatest impact source with percentages ranging from 67 to 85%. By concluding, treatment processes and techniques, bioclimatic conditions and culturally driven consumption behavior vary from region to region. Furthermore, changes in treatment processes and techniques are likely to aff ect the environment during all stages of a plant’s operation cycle.
Biography:
Chang Qing Sun has received his PhD degree at Murdoch University in 1997 in Surface Physics and then joined Nanyang Technological University. He has been working on the “Relaxation of the Chemical Bond†involved in skin chemisorption, quantum size effect, multifi eld solid mechanics and water myths. He has published over 330 journal articles, including a number of themed reports in Chem Rev, Prog Mater Sci, Surf Sci Rep, etc.
Abstract:
As the source and central part of all lives, water is most abundant yet least known. Th is talk shares the recent progress: Correlation of the length scale, structure order and mass density of molecular packing in water ice, potential paths for O:H-O bond at relaxation and anomalies of water ice under compression, molecular under-coordination and thermal excitation. Hydrogen bond (O:H-O) possesses memory and extreme deformation recoverability, which resolves mysteries of density of ice, slipperiness of ice, Mpemba paradox: Hot water freezes faster, Hofmeister eff ect: Aqueous ions modulate solution’s surface tension and its ability of dissolving proteins and Regelation: Ice melts under compression and freezes again when the pressure is relieved. Understanding may extend to fi elds such as water-biomolecular interaction, water purifi cation, energy management, etc.
Thiemo Dunkel
University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany
Title: Towards a specific controlling strategy to prevent filamentous bulking and foaming considered as the last major unsolved problem in operation of activated sludge systems
Biography:
Thiemo Dunkel studied chemical engineering (B. Eng. / M. Eng.) at the Niederrhein university of applied sciences from 2006 to 2012. In 2010 he started working as a project engineer in the petrochemical company INEOS in Cologne managing projects in the WWTP on site. In 2012 he started in parallel with his phd at the university of Duibsurg-Essen. He has published 2 papers in reputed journals in 2015. Moreover he contributed with poster presentations in the Activated Sludge 100 Years Conference 2014 in Essen, the LET Conference in Hong Kong 2015 and the FEMS Congress in Maastricht 2015.
Abstract:
The succesful operation of activated sludge (AS) processes is ultimatively depending on a sufficient separation of activated sludge from treated water in secondary clarifiers to guarantee a high effluent quality. However, most AS plants suffer from disturbances in the sludge settling process mainly referred to filamentous bulking and foaming which are described as the last major unsolved problem in the operation of AS systems (Soddell and Seviour, 1990). Poor settling biomass may lead to low effluent quality, increased economic costs and potential environmental impacts. Up to now, no reliable specific controlling method to prevent filamentous bulking and foaming exists. Our recent research is focused on the development of a specific controlling strategy to avoid filamentous overgrowth. Alongside fluorescence in situ hybridisation and next generation sequencing were used for the identification of dominant filamentous bulking and foaming bacteria (BFB) in AS systems showing increased abundances of M. parvicella, Gordonia and Chryseobacteria known to cause filamentous foaming. The combination of real-time polymerase chain reaction for the quantification of these BFB and multidimensional gaschromatography for the analysis of wastewater composition revealed a highly singificant linear relationship between long chain fatty acid (LCFA) loadings and the growth of dominant BFB. Based on these findings a specific controlling strategy was developed with regard to the removal of LCFAs from wastewater influents to inhibit the overgrowth of BFB. This controlling strategy was succesfully validated in a pilot-scale trial in an industrial WWTP (Germany).
Luz E de-Bashan
The Bashan Institute of Science, USA
Title: Creation of synthetic mutualism to improve understanding of the relationships between microalgae and bacteria in fresh water
Biography:
Luz E de-Bashan is the Vice-President of The Bashan Institute of Science, Alabama, USA and an Associate Professor at CIBNOR in Mexico. She has received her PhD from Laval University in Canada and Postdoctoral studies at the University of Arizona. She has published 113 scientifi c works, of which 58 were published in peer-review journals with high impact factors. She also serves as an Editorial Board Member of 3 scientifi c journals, ad hoc Reviewer of an additional 44 scientifi c journals in 12 countries and 4 funding agencies. Her studies were cited over 5700 times and her H-index is 34.
Abstract:
A simple, quantitative synthetic mutualism model, off ering a convenient and basic approach to studies of plant-bacterium interactions was developed and tested. Th is model involves immobilizing a unicellular, freshwater microalga, a species of Chlorella that serves as the plant and a plant growth-promoting bacterium (PGPB), a strain of a species of Azospirillum of agricultural origin. Th e two micro-organisms are immobilized together in small alginate beads to allow close initial interaction and avoid external interference from bacterial contaminants. Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) that is produced by the bacteria has demonstrated its role in enhancing growth rates and population size of the microalga. Th e microalgae produce and exude tryptophan and thiamine, which are the precursors of IAA formation. Carbon and nitrogen molecules are exchanged between the two partners in this synthetic mutualism. Th is close interaction positively aff ects nitrogen, phosphorus, carbohydrates, lipids and photosynthesis metabolisms. All these signifi cant metabolic changes during co-immobilization of the two micro-organisms are interlinked and off er several biotechnological applications. Th ese include waste water treatment, carbohydrate and lipid production, photosynthetic pigments and food for human and animals. Th is synthetic mutualism model is also a simple and easy way to study fundamental physiological and molecular studies.
Jingrang Lu
US Environmental Protection Agency, USA
Title: qPCR and RT-qPCR of Harmful Cyanobacteria at Lake Harsha, OH, during Summer
Biography:
Jingrang Lu is a biologist with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Cincinnati, Ohio. His research work focuses on the molecular method development and detection of pathogenic bacteria in water, using transcriptomic, metagenomic and genomic analysis and host animal model, and to assess water quality and pathogenic risks. He holds a PhD in microbial ecology and a MS in zoology. He has over 60 peer reviewed publications. His main interests are to apply molecular approaches to applied environmental microbiology and public health researches.
Abstract:
Cyanobacteria blooms have increased in recent years and are becoming a greater public concern due to their potential ecological and health impacts. Detection of toxic cyanobacteria using qPCR and RT-qPCR allows for the rapid identification of blooms by combining specificity and sensitivity with speed and high sample processing capability. Toxic cyanobacteria from the water samples of five sites in Lake Harsha, which is used for local recreational activities and as a source of drinking water, were detected using a panel of qPCR assays for most of toxin-producers (HEP and CD1) or only toxic Microcystis spp. (mcyG and mcyA-MS) targeting the toxin-producing genes of mcyA, mcyE, ndaF and mcyG. Overall performance of the four assays were highly correlated with each other for DNA along weekly and daily samples, indicating similar level of copy numbers and amplification efficiency of the targeted genes. The quantity of total toxic cyanobacteria reached >108 cell L-1 in early June and remained at high density until the end of July. During this period, the signals of qPCR between HEP and mcyG or mcyA-MS were in agreement, and demonstrated that Microcystis spp. dominated the toxin producers. Before this period, the lower amount of toxic cyanobacteria reflected by HEP and CD1 were non- Microcystis spp., while after this period approximately only half of Microcystis spp. accounted for the total toxin producers. RT-qPCR results showed the same trend as qPCR, but with higher variations in assays for Microcystis spp., indicating potential toxins were produced mainly by Microcystis spp. Generally much lower signals of qPCR and RT-qPCR were detected from deep water than surface water suggesting that the majority of toxins were generated from surface water. Further analysis will be performed with microscopic and physiochemical data and toxin measurement to determine future development of molecular tools and its application to monitoring toxic cyanobacteria.
Mazen Saleh
Laurentian University, Ontario
Title: Towards in-line monitoring of coliforms in potable and recreational water
Biography:
Dr. Saleh received the Ph.D. degree from the University of Toronto in 1997. Working at the Department of medical biophysics his work concerned the interaction of bacterial toxins and membranes. Prior to joining the Department of Biology at Laurentian University, Dr. saleh spent time as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and Colorado State University. Dr. Saleh is currently the Chairperson for the Department of Biology at Laurentian University.
Abstract:
Coliforms remain to be a valuable indicator of fecal contamination of surface water. Communities counting on surface water as a source of drinking or potable water depend on the regular monitoring of the source water for the presence of potential pathogenic microorganisms. The same applies to recreational water as it also becomes a public health concern. There have been several developments in sensor technologies and testing methods during the past decade, including DNA-based tests, but the classical enzyme-based methods are robust and remain to be one of the best methods. Current testing in some communities still involves the regular manual collection of water samples for analysis of coliform presence in the laboratory. The availability of a small footprint benchtop unit that can do this testing can potentially pave the way to develop autonomous systems to perform and report real time on these tests or using in-line system integration.
Anthony I Okoh
SAMRC Microbial Water Quality Monitoring Centre, University of Fort Hare
Title: Important challenges in water quality and the need for new approaches
Biography:
He started his research career as a graduate fellow in 1989 and became an Assistant Lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria in 1993 and rose through the rank to the post of a Senior Lecturer in 2001, a post he held until appointed Associate Professor of Microbiology at the University of Fort Hare in May 2006, and in January 2008 I was promoted Full Professor of Microbiology. In January 2009 he was appointed Head of the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology at the University of Fort Hare. He hold a PhD degree in Microbiology and 10 diplomas in some aspects of Biotechnology and Molecular biology from reputable institutions on the continents of Africa, Asia, Europe and America. He have immense teaching, research and administrative experience in the University system. He was a member of Senate (as leader of Congregation) at the Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria, where He also served as a member of the Appointment and Promotion Committee of University. In 2002, He was elected for a two years term as President of Obafemi Awolowo University Staff Club. His research expertise is in the area of Applied and Environmental Microbiology with extended interest in Bioremediation, Water/wastewater quality and bioactive compounds research. He has been involved in various collaborations with eminent academics within and outside South Africa, and he review for over twenty international journals. He have also been a recipient of such awards as Postgraduate Fellowship Award, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile - Ife, Nigeria, 1990 - 1992; United Nations University Fellowship (1998); UNESCO Biotechnology Action Council Fellowship (2000), NRF Free Standing Fellowship 2005 and currently an NRF, MRC and WRC grantholder. He has published over 80 articles; several conference presentations; and nucleotide sequences deposited in the genebank in my academic career of over two decades, nine of which was as a senior academic. Within the last four years, I have won seven research grants made up of four from the NRF and one each from the Medical Research Council, Water Research Commission and the Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics (international) studies on water/wastewater qualities; bioactive compounds; and reservoirs of antibiotic resistance. In 2007, He established my research group called Applied and Environmental Microbiology Research Group (AEMREG) in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology of the University of Fort Hare, and the group is currently made up of 18 research students at the Honours, Master's and Doctoral levels. He was rated as a C3 category (established researcher) scientist by the NRF in 2007 and in 2008 He won the University of Fort Hare Vice-Chancellor Emerging Research Award. In 2009, He was invited to represent South Africa in the international collaboration on the surveillance of reservoirs of antibiotic resistance (ISRAR) under the auspices of the Alliance for the prudent use of Antibiotics (APUA) with headquarters in the Boston, USA. My lab serves as the South Africa Country lab for this collaboration and He double as the South Africa Country Laboratory Manager. Also, in 2009 He was elected into the Executive Council of the South Africa Society for Microbiology (SASM), and in 2010 He was elected as Vice President of the Society.
Abstract:
Water constitutes the most abundant compound on the surface of our planet, but only 1% of this resource is available as freshwater and is recognized as a scare resource in many parts of the world. Also, protection of this important resource has become a major global challenge especially amongst developing countries including South Africa. Challenges in this regards include for example, emerging and re-emerging microbial and chemical pollutants in water; their survival strategies in conventional treatment processes; evidences suggesting increasing incidences of resistance to regular disinfection regimes; hazardous chemicals used in water treatment and need for eco-friendly alternatives; and the need for review of existing water quality guidelines to capture emerging trends such as wastewater effluents as reservoirs of antibiotic resistance determinants becomes imperative and will be discussed in this paper.
Anthony I Okoh
SAMRC Microbial Water Quality Monitoring Centre, University of Fort Hare
Title: Important challenges in water quality and the need for new approaches
Biography:
He started my research career as a graduate fellow in 1989 and became an Assistant Lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria in 1993 and rose through the rank to the post of a Senior Lecturer in 2001, a post he held until appointed Associate Professor of Microbiology at the University of Fort Hare in May 2006, and in January 2008 I was promoted Full Professor of Microbiology. In January 2009 he was appointed Head of the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology at the University of Fort Hare. He hold a PhD degree in Microbiology and 10 diplomas in some aspects of Biotechnology and Molecular biology from reputable institutions on the continents of Africa, Asia, Europe and America. He have immense teaching, research and administrative experience in the University system. He was a member of Senate (as leader of Congregation) at the Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria, where He also served as a member of the Appointment and Promotion Committee of University. In 2002, He was elected for a two years term as President of Obafemi Awolowo University Staff Club. His research expertise is in the area of Applied and Environmental Microbiology with extended interest in Bioremediation, Water/wastewater quality and bioactive compounds research. He has been involved in various collaborations with eminent academics within and outside South Africa, and he review for over twenty international journals. He have also been a recipient of such awards as Postgraduate Fellowship Award, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile - Ife, Nigeria, 1990 - 1992; United Nations University Fellowship (1998); UNESCO Biotechnology Action Council Fellowship (2000), NRF Free Standing Fellowship 2005 and currently an NRF, MRC and WRC grantholder. He has published over 80 articles; several conference presentations; and nucleotide sequences deposited in the genebank in my academic career of over two decades, nine of which was as a senior academic. Within the last four years, I have won seven research grants made up of four from the NRF and one each from the Medical Research Council, Water Research Commission and the Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics (international) studies on water/wastewater qualities; bioactive compounds; and reservoirs of antibiotic resistance. In 2007, He established my research group called Applied and Environmental Microbiology Research Group (AEMREG) in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology of the University of Fort Hare, and the group is currently made up of 18 research students at the Honours, Master's and Doctoral levels. He was rated as a C3 category (established researcher) scientist by the NRF in 2007 and in 2008 He won the University of Fort Hare Vice-Chancellor Emerging Research Award. In 2009, He was invited to represent South Africa in the international collaboration on the surveillance of reservoirs of antibiotic resistance (ISRAR) under the auspices of the Alliance for the prudent use of Antibiotics (APUA) with headquarters in the Boston, USA. My lab serves as the South Africa Country lab for this collaboration and He double as the South Africa Country Laboratory Manager. Also, in 2009 He was elected into the Executive Council of the South Africa Society for Microbiology (SASM), and in 2010 He was elected as Vice President of the Society.
Abstract:
Water constitutes the most abundant compound on the surface of our planet, but only 1% of this resource is available as freshwater and is recognized as a scare resource in many parts of the world. Also, protection of this important resource has become a major global challenge especially amongst developing countries including South Africa. Challenges in this regards include for example, emerging and re-emerging microbial and chemical pollutants in water; their survival strategies in conventional treatment processes; evidences suggesting increasing incidences of resistance to regular disinfection regimes; hazardous chemicals used in water treatment and need for eco-friendly alternatives; and the need for review of existing water quality guidelines to capture emerging trends such as wastewater effluents as reservoirs of antibiotic resistance determinants becomes imperative and will be discussed in this paper.
Suikinai Nobre Santos
King’s College London, London, WC2R 2LS, United Kingdom
Title: Marine ecosystems as a source of bioprospecting of microorganisms for biotechnological applicability
Biography:
Suikinai Nobre Santos has completed his PhD at the age of 29 years from University of São Paulo and postdoctoral studies from Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, EMBRAPA, São Paulo/Brazil and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Oxford, MS, USA also too, visitor researcher in King’s College London. She does to research development applications in bioprospecting compounds and biomolecules with industrial and biotechnological fields. She has published more than 17 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an editorial board member of repute.
Abstract:
The need for new and useful drugs to promote assistance and aid in the diseases that ravage humanity is extremely relevant. Sources have been found in rare microorganisms, those from tropical marine environment is largely unexplored and might provide a rich source of the microorganism producing novel and efficent anti-infective compounds. During the last decade many microorganisms producers of novels compounds with unsual structures and equally variety of biotechnologically relevant properties (anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antihelmintic activities) in addition to being a souce of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The bacterial strains were isolated from samples collected sponges in the archipelago St. Peter and St. Paul (00° 55′ 02″ N, 29° 20′ 44″ W). They were subjected to screening platform for detection of natural compounds with production of exopolysaccharide matrix (EPS) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAS). The results show that marine sponges are excellent sources of producing bacteria of natural products. Two strains identified as Pseudoalteromonas tetraodonis and Pseudoalteromonas issachikonni were able to produce EPS by presence of two carbon sources (galactose and glucose), at 28 °C at pH 7. The EPS constituent monomers of the strain P. tetraodonis are galactose and fructose, and the strain P. issachikonni fructose. However, fourteen isolates present production of PUFAs, including mystic and palmitic acid 32.16%, heptodecanoic and oleic acid monounsaturated 75,41% and y- (gamma) linolenic acids. This analysis indicated that isolated were able to grow and produce essential fatty, also too, is considered as a promising source for bioprospecting of biomolecule targeting a biotechnological application.