| Abstract | According to Italian Ministerial Decree No. 185 of 12 June 2003, water is considered suitable for irrigation if levels of fecal bacteria (i.e., Escherichia coli and Salmonella) are within certain parameters. The detection of other microorganisms is not required. The aim of this study is to determine the bacteriological quality of groundwater used for irrigation and the occurrence of enteric viruses (Norovirus, Enterovirus, Rotavirus, Hepatovirus A), and to compare the presence of viruses with the fecal bacteria indicators. A total of 182 wells was analyzed. Widespread fecal contamination of Apulian aquifers was detected (141 wells; 77.5%) by the presence of fecal bacteria (i.e., E. coli, Salmonella, total coliforms, and enterococci). Considering bacteria included in Ministerial Decree No. 185, the water from 35 (19.2%) wells was unsuitable for irrigation purposes. Among 147 wells with water considered suitable, Norovirus, Rotavirus, and Enterovirus were detected in 23 (15.6%) wells. No Hepatovirus A was isolated. Consequently, 58 wells (31.9%) posed a potential infectious risk for irrigation use. This study revealed the inadequacy of fecal bacteria indicators to predict the occurrence of viruses in groundwater and it is the first in Italy to describe the presence of human rotaviruses in well water used for irrigation. |
| Text | 372268 2017 10.3390/ijerph14060558 Scopus 2 s2.0 85019760382 Enterovirus Groundwater pollution Irrigation Norovirus Rotavirus Wells Enteric viruses and fecal bacteria indicators to assess groundwater quality and suitability for irrigation De Giglio O.; Caggiano G.; Bagordo F.; Barbuti G.; Brigida S.; Lugoli F.; Grassi T.; La Rosa G.; Lucentini L.; Uricchio V.F.; De Donno A.; Montagna M.T. Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, Bari, 70124, , Italy; Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, Via per Monteroni, Campus Ecotekne, Monteroni di Lecce, Lecce, 73047, , Italy; Water Research Institute, National Research Council, Viale Francesco de Blasio 5, Bari, 70132, , , Italy; Water Research Institute, National Research Council, Viale Francesco de Blasio 5, Bari, 70132, , , Italy; National Institute of Health, Department of Environment and Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, Rome, 00100, , Italy According to Italian Ministerial Decree No. 185 of 12 June 2003, water is considered suitable for irrigation if levels of fecal bacteria i.e., Escherichia coli and Salmonella are within certain parameters. The detection of other microorganisms is not required. The aim of this study is to determine the bacteriological quality of groundwater used for irrigation and the occurrence of enteric viruses Norovirus, Enterovirus, Rotavirus, Hepatovirus A , and to compare the presence of viruses with the fecal bacteria indicators. A total of 182 wells was analyzed. Widespread fecal contamination of Apulian aquifers was detected 141 wells; 77.5% by the presence of fecal bacteria i.e., E. coli, Salmonella, total coliforms, and enterococci . Considering bacteria included in Ministerial Decree No. 185, the water from 35 19.2% wells was unsuitable for irrigation purposes. Among 147 wells with water considered suitable, Norovirus, Rotavirus, and Enterovirus were detected in 23 15.6% wells. No Hepatovirus A was isolated. Consequently, 58 wells 31.9% posed a potential infectious risk for irrigation use. This study revealed the inadequacy of fecal bacteria indicators to predict the occurrence of viruses in groundwater and it is the first in Italy to describe the presence of human rotaviruses in well water used for irrigation. 14 Published version http //www.scopus.com/inward/record.url eid=2 s2.0 85019760382 partnerID=q2rCbXpz Enteric viruses and fecal bacteria indicators to assess groundwater quality and suitability for irrigation ijerph_14_00558.pdf Articolo in rivista MDPI, 1661 7827 International journal of environmental research and public health Print International journal of environmental research and public health Print Int. j. environ. res. public health Print International journal of environmental research and public health. Print vitofelice.uricchio URICCHIO VITO FELICE |
