ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Viral Communities Distribution and Diversity
in a Wastewater Treatment Plants Using
High-throughput Sequencing Analysis
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1
Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability Research Unit, College of Science, Engineering and Technology,
University of South Africa-Science Campus, Florida 1710, South Africa
2
Department of Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences,
University of South Africa-Science Campus, Florida 1710, South Africa
Submission date: 2020-06-12
Final revision date: 2020-09-14
Acceptance date: 2020-09-26
Online publication date: 2021-04-01
Publication date: 2021-06-09
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2021;30(4):3189-3201
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ABSTRACT
Waterborne pathogens are still considered a threat to human health. Wastewater treatment plants
(WWTPs), contain a high populace and diversity of viruses that can significantly affect the aquatic
ecosystem. Subsequently, the occurrence and recurrence of viral pathogens are alarming that exist in
human populations, which are potentially discharged into sewage systems. This study investigated the
distribution and diversity of the viral communities from three WWTPs in Gauteng Province, South
Africa using next-generation sequencing technology. The results uncovered that most of the viral
populaces in the wastewater plants belong to the families Siphoviridae, Microviridae, and Myoviridae
of the order Caudovirales. Other families including Baculoviridae, Partitiviridae, Virgaviridae, and
Tymoviridae were likewise recorded. On the other hand, enteric pathogens detected were Astroviridae,
Reoviridae, and Coronaviridae. The predicted functional features for the viromes revealed that the DNA
metabolism was the major function within the community followed by carbohydrate and amino acid
metabolism, suggesting that the treatment plants provide a rich biological environment for the growth
of diverse viral species and other processes. The overall results in this study highlight the biological
significance of WWTPs as a hotspot for some viral agents. The contamination routes of these viral
agents are needed for efficient and cost-effective management strategies in water systems. Further, viral
metagenomics ought to be considered as a key approach for revealing the diversity and early warning of
emerging disease outbreaks.