Occurrence of enteric and non-enteric microorganisms in coastal waters impacted by anthropogenic activities: A multi-route QMRA for swimmers

Sahar Gholipour; Mahnaz Nikaeen; Davarkhah Rabbani; Farzaneh Mohammadi; Reza Mohammadi Manesh; Nayereh Besharatipour; Bijan Bina

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114716

Occurrence of enteric and non-enteric microorganisms in coastal waters impacted by anthropogenic activities: A multi-route QMRA for swimmers

Mar Pollut Bull. 2023 Mar:188:114716. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114716. Epub 2023 Feb 17.

Authors

Sahar Gholipour¹, Mahnaz Nikaeen², Davarkhah Rabbani¹, Farzaneh Mohammadi³, Reza Mohammadi Manesh⁴, Nayereh Besharatipour³, Bijan Bina³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.
² Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran; Environment Research Center, Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non-Communicable Disease, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Electronic address: nikaeen@hlth.mui.ac.ir.
³ Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran; Environment Research Center, Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non-Communicable Disease, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
⁴ Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

PMID: 36860014
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114716

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the microbial characteristics of coastal waters which are impacted by anthropogenic pollution as well as estimate the health risks associated with exposure to enteric and non-enteric microorganisms during swimming. Fecal indicator bacteria were highly detected in samples. Moreover, pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms were found, with the highest frequency for Pseudomonas aeruginosa followed by Adenovirus 40/41, Acanthamoeba spp., Salmonella enterica, and Cryptosporidium parvum. The median risk of gastrointestinal illness through ingestion of water was estimated to be above the benchmark value of 0.05 per event recommended by WHO. Cryptosporidium followed by Adenovirus, showed higher illness risks than Salmonella. The potential risks of Acanthamoeba and P. aeruginosa were estimated to be low for both dermal and ocular exposure routes. However, there are uncertainties about the infectious fraction of pathogens existing in coastal waters and the delivered dose of microorganisms from dermal/ocular exposure during recreational activities.

Keywords: Coastal water; Exposure assessment; Marine; QMRA; Swimming.

MeSH terms

Cryptosporidiosis*
Cryptosporidium*
Environmental Pollution
Feces
Humans
Swimming