TY - JOUR

T1 - Microcosm experiment investigating climate-induced thermal effects on human virus viability in seawater: qPCR vs capsid integrity for enhanced risk management

AU - Kevill, Jessica

AU - Li, Xiaorong

AU - Garcia-Delgado, Alvaro

AU - Herridge, Kate

AU - Farkas, Kata

AU - Gaze, William H

AU - Robins, Peter

AU - Malham, Shelagh

AU - Jones, Davey L.

PY - 2024/11/1

Y1 - 2024/11/1

N2 - Climate change is intensifying extreme weather events in coastal areas, leading to more frequent discharge of untreated wastewater containing human viruses into coastal waters. This poses a health risk, especially during heatwaves when bathing activity increases. A study examined the survival and viability of seven common wastewater viruses in seawater at different temperatures. Viral genomes were quantified using direct qPCR, whilst viability was assessed using Capsid Integrity qPCR. Results showed that T90 values from direct qPCR were much higher than those from CI-qPCR, suggesting that risk mitigation should be based on viral integrity tests. All viruses remained potentially viable for at least 72 h in environmental seawater and longer in sterile artificial seawater, highlighting the importance of biotic processes in viral inactivation. Viral persistence decreased with increasing temperature. Whilst heatwaves may partially reduce risks from human viral pathogens in coastal waters, they do not eliminate them entirely.

AB - Climate change is intensifying extreme weather events in coastal areas, leading to more frequent discharge of untreated wastewater containing human viruses into coastal waters. This poses a health risk, especially during heatwaves when bathing activity increases. A study examined the survival and viability of seven common wastewater viruses in seawater at different temperatures. Viral genomes were quantified using direct qPCR, whilst viability was assessed using Capsid Integrity qPCR. Results showed that T90 values from direct qPCR were much higher than those from CI-qPCR, suggesting that risk mitigation should be based on viral integrity tests. All viruses remained potentially viable for at least 72 h in environmental seawater and longer in sterile artificial seawater, highlighting the importance of biotic processes in viral inactivation. Viral persistence decreased with increasing temperature. Whilst heatwaves may partially reduce risks from human viral pathogens in coastal waters, they do not eliminate them entirely.

U2 - 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.117006

DO - 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.117006

M3 - Article

VL - 208

JO - Marine Pollution Bulletin

JF - Marine Pollution Bulletin

SN - 0025-326X

M1 - 117006

ER -