Study Protocol of Predictive Dynamics of Microbiological Contamination of Groundwater in the Earth Critical Zone and Impact on Human Health (DY.MI.CR.ON Project)

Groundwater is one of the major sources of water supply for human needs. But anthropic activities such as agriculture are causing significant volume depletion and quality deterioration, favoring microbial contamination that has a negative impact on human health. The geological characteristics of the ground can influence the transport of microorganisms, especially if made of permeable rock. Furthermore, irrigation with untreated or partially treated wastewater can represent an additional health risk due to the potential transmission of pathogens to food. The aim of our research is to provide an interdisciplinary perspective on this issue by integrating hygienic, geological, and agronomic skills. Water samplings are scheduled seasonally by four monitoring campaigns in five sampling points placed in two Southern Italy regions, Apulia (one point at the outlet and two wells near the wastewater plant at Carpignano Salentino, Lecce province, Italy) and Sicily (two wells at Scicli and Pozzallo, Ragusa province, Italy) Laboratory experiments of microorganism transport in permeable rocks will be carried out under saturated and unsaturated conditions. A mathematical model of transport through porous media will be implemented and validated with laboratory measurements. The model will be used to develop a monitoring tool to control sites in Apulia and Sicily where periodic cultural and molecular detection of pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and protozoa will also be taken. In addition, an analysis of the microbiological contamination of herbaceous crops due to the use of low-quality water will be conducted to assess the Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA). The project will provide methodological tools to evaluate anthropogenic pressures and their impact on environmental matrices. The results will allow these pressures to be modulated to minimize environmental and agri-food microbiological contamination and protect public health.