Abstract：
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been recognized as one of the major potential sources of the spread of airborne pathogenic microorganisms under the global pandemic of COVID-19. The differences in research regions, wastewater treatment processes, environmental conditions, and other aspects in the existing case studies have caused some confusion in the understanding of bioaerosol pollution characteristics. In this study, we integrated and analyzed data from field sampling and performed a systematic literature search to determine the abundance of airborne microorganisms in 13 countries and 37 cities across four continents (Asia, Europe, North America, and Africa). We analyzed the concentrations of bioaerosols, the core composition, global diversity, determinants, and potential risks of airborne pathogen communities in WWTPs. Our findings showed that the culturable bioaerosol concentrations of global WWTPs are 102-105 CFU/m3. Three core bacterial pathogens, namely Bacillus, Acinetobacter, and Pseudomonas, as well as two core fungal pathogens, Cladosporium and Aspergillus, were identified in the air across global WWTPs. WWTPs have unique core pathogenic communities and distinct continental divergence. The sources of airborne microorganisms (wastewater) and environmental variables (relative humidity and air contaminants) have impacts on the distribution of airborne pathogens. Potential health risks are associated with the core airborne pathogens in WWTPs. Our study showed the specificity, multifactorial influences, and potential pathogenicity of airborne pathogenic communities in WWTPs. Our findings can improve the understanding of the global diversity and biogeography of airborne pathogens in WWTPs, guiding risk assessment and control strategies for such pathogens. Furthermore, they provide a theoretical basis for safeguarding the health of WWTP workers and ensuring regional ecological security.
摘要：
在COVID-19的全球大流行下，废水处理厂（WWTP）已被认为是空气传播病原微生物的主要潜在来源之一。研究区域的差异，废水处理工艺,环境条件,以及现有案例研究中的其他方面在对生物气溶胶污染特征的理解上造成了一些混乱。在这项研究中,我们整合和分析了现场采样的数据，并进行了系统的文献检索，以确定四大洲13个国家和37个城市的空气传播微生物的丰度（亚洲，欧洲,北美,和非洲）。我们分析了生物气溶胶的浓度,核心组成，全球多样性,决定因素，以及污水处理厂空气传播病原体群落的潜在风险。我们的发现表明，全球污水处理厂的可培养生物气溶胶浓度为102-105CFU/m3。三种核心细菌病原体，即芽孢杆菌,不动杆菌,和假单胞菌,以及两种核心真菌病原体，枝孢菌和曲霉,在全球污水处理厂的空气中被发现。污水处理厂具有独特的核心致病群落和明显的大陆差异。空气中微生物（废水）的来源和环境变量（相对湿度和空气污染物）对空气中病原体的分布有影响。潜在的健康风险与WWTP中的核心空气病原体有关。我们的研究显示了这种特异性，多因素影响，以及污水处理厂空气传播致病群落的潜在致病性。我们的发现可以提高对WWTP中空气传播病原体的全球多样性和生物地理学的理解，指导此类病原体的风险评估和控制策略。此外，为保障污水处理厂工作人员身体健康、保障区域生态安全提供了理论依据。
