Surveillance and Removal of Cyanobacteria and Antimicrobial Resistance Genes from Drinking Water Sources

Cooperating countries: Nigeria and Austria

Coordinating institution: Redeemer’s University, Ogunlaja Aemere, ogunlajaa@run.edu.ng 

Partner institution: University of Innsbruck

Project duration: 1 May 2022 - 30 April 2024

Abstract:

Cyanobacteria are commonly found in Africa surface and ground water because of indiscriminate disposal of organic waste which contributes high concentrations of nitrate and phosphate to receiving water bodies. This results in harmful algae (cyanobacteria) bloom (HAB) that causes eutrophication of water bodies. HABs release cyanotoxins such as microcystins, nodularins, cylindrospermopsins, anatoxins, saxitoxins, and beta-Methylamino-L-alanine which are of great concern since they cause health problems of various degrees in humans and animals when ingested. Recently, the death of 336 Elephants in Botswana was attributed to consumption of water contaminated with cyanotoxins. Cyanobacteria are also known hotspots for Antimicrobial Resistance Genes (ARGs) in aquatic environment hence contributing its fair share to Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) challenge globally. It is estimated that AMR will cause 10 million deaths per year by 2050. The enormity of AMR attributed to aquatic environment is unknown in Africa as there is dearth of data in the continent that links environmental ARGs with health.

We propose to (i) monitor cyanobacteria, cyanotoxins, and cyanobacteria-harboured ARGs in surface and ground water used for drinking across systematically selected household and communities from South-South, South-West and South-East of Nigeria (ii) develop simple but efficient non-chlorinated water disinfection technique for the removal of cyanotoxins, cyanobacteria and ARGs. We expect to contribute to a continental baseline data of cyanobacteria, cyanotoxins and ARGs in water, estimate the enormity of Nigeria AMR problems with public health and thus trigger necessary national and regional responses which will aim at meeting the SDGs #3 and #6.