The Reduction of SARS-CoV-2 RNA Concentration in the Presence of Sewer Biofilms

Wastewater surveillance has been widely used to track the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in communities. Although some studies have investigated decay RNA wastewater, understanding about its fate during wastewater transport real sewers is still limited. This study aims assess impact sewer biofilms on dynamics concentration naturally contaminated (raw influent without extra virus/gene seeding) using a simulated laboratory-scale system. The results indicated that, with biofilms, 90% reduction was observed within 2 h both gravity (GS, gravity-driven sewers) and rising main (RM, pressurized reactors. In contrast, time 8–26 control reactors biofilms. significantly more presence addition, an accumulation c.a. 260 110 genome copies/cm2 E gene biofilm samples from RM GS 12 h, respectively. These confirmed that in-sewer likely caused by partition need investigate dynamic RNA, such as variation attachment detachment, highlighted enhanced rate Further research should be conducted transportation their evaluate role leading underestimates COVID-19