Combating the transmission of coronavirus in urban water systems through novel disinfection

This project aims to investigate the occurrence, distribution and survival of SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens in a complete urban water system by developing rapid and advanced sequencing technologies, and to evaluate the removal efficiency of various pathogens by current water disinfection technologies. More importantly, a novel and efficient nanoparticle-based disinfection method will be developed as a proactive approach to combat SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens during potential future pandemics.

Funding

Project outcomes

Research outcomes of this project will help to protect the public and environmental health of Queensland by investigating, assessing and stopping the risk of SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens’ transmission in urban water systems.

Publications

Journal Publications

• Ni, G., Lu, J., Maulani, N., Tian, W., Yang, L., Harliwong, I., Wang, Z., Mueller, J., Yang, B., Yuan, Z., Hu, S. & Guo, J. 2021. Novel multiplexed amplicon-based sequencing to quantify SARS-CoV-2 RNA from wastewater. Environ. Sci. Technol. Lett. 8, 683-690. 

Thesis

• Yitian Li. (2021). Master thesis: Virus removal by wastewater disinfection technologies.