title: Mimicking filtration and transport of rotavirus and adenovirus in sand media using DNA-labeled, protein-coated silica nanoparticles.
abstract: Rotavirus (RoV) and adenovirus (AdV) are important viral pathogens for the risk analysis of drinking water. Despite this, little is known about their retention and transport behaviors in porous media due to a lack of representative surrogates. We developed RoV and AdV surrogates by covalently coupling 70-nm sized silica nanoparticles with specific proteins and a DNA marker for sensitive detection. Filtration experiments using beach sand columns demonstrated the similarity of the surrogates' concentrations, filtration efficiencies and attachment kinetics to those of the target viruses. The surrogates showed the same magnitude of concentration reduction as the viruses. Conversely, MS2 phage (a traditional virus model) over-predicted concentrations of AdV and RoV by 1- and 2-orders of magnitude respectively. The surrogates remained stable in size, surface charge and DNA concentration for at least one year. They can be easily and rapidly detected down to a single particle. Preliminary tests suggest that they were readily detectable in a number of environmental waters and treated effluent. With up-scaling validation in pilot trials, the surrogates developed here could be a cost-effective new tool for studying virus retention and transport in porous media. Examples include assessing filter efficacy in water and wastewater treatment, tracking virus migration in groundwater after effluent land disposal, and establishing safe setback distances for groundwater protection.
authors: Institute of Environmental Science & Research Ltd, PO Box 29181, Christchurch 8540, New Zealand. Electronic address: liping.pang@esr.cri.nz.
authors: Liping
authors: L
authors: Pang
authors: Institute of Environmental Science & Research Ltd, PO Box 29181, Christchurch 8540, New Zealand; School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand.
authors: Kata
authors: K
authors: Farkas
authors: Bennett Scientific, 52C Middle Park Road, Christchurch 8042, New Zealand; Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, Canterbury, New Zealand.
authors: Grant
authors: G
authors: Bennett
authors: School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand; Electron Microscope Unit, Division of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa; Biomolecular Interaction Centre, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand.
authors: Arvind
authors: A
authors: Varsani
authors: Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand.
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Easingwood
authors: Chemistry Department, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand.
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Tilley
authors: Chemistry Department, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand.
authors: Urszula
authors: U
authors: Nowostawska
authors: Institute of Environmental Science & Research Ltd, PO Box 29181, Christchurch 8540, New Zealand.
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: Lin
mesh_terms: D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D005374:Filtration / Q000379:methods*; D057446:Hydrodynamics; D017909:Levivirus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009038:Motion; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D012401:Rotavirus / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D012987:Soil; D055672:Static Electricity
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins; D012987:Soil; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D004247:DNA
keywords: DNA-labeling; Groundwater; Nanoparticles; Porous media; Sand filtration; Virus surrogates