Investigating pollution dynamics of swimming pool waters by means of chemical and biological markers

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K04320
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 22060:Environmental systems for civil engineering-related
• Research Institution: Toyama Prefectural University
• Principal Investigator: Kuroda Keisuke 富山県立大学, 工学部, 准教授 (30738456)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 端 昭彦 富山県立大学, 工学部, 准教授 (70726306)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 医薬品 / 人工甘味料 / 汚染マーカー / 腸管系ウイルス / レジオネラ / PMMoV / F特異的RNAファージ / ハロ酢酸

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Water samples were regularly taken at swimming pools in schools and sports clubs to assess chemical and microbiological water quality and seasonal changes. The results showed that pharmaceuticals, artificial sweeteners and viruses which are considered to be derived from the urine and faeces of bathers, and disinfection by-products were detected. These contaminants tended to be detected more frequently in indoor pools than in outdoor pools. The effects of pool water treatment, number of users and age groups of users on contamination were also investigated. In addition, methods for the concentration of microorganisms and animal DNA from large volumes of sample water, and the decay rate of pharmaceuticals and artificial sweeteners in light-chlorine systems were investigated. These findings will contribute to the accurate assessment of pool water contamination and the devising of contamination prevention measures.

Free Research Field

環境工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

使用時と非使用時を通じて屋外・屋内の様々なプールの水質の実態を明らかにしたこと、化学的な汚染マーカー、微生物学的な汚染マーカー、病原微生物を同時に測定することによってプール水の汚染メカニズムを明らかにしたこと、またプール水のような大量の清澄水を濃縮して各種微生物を検出する方法の検討は高い新規性があり、学術的意義が大きい。加えて、光・塩素存在下における汚染マーカーの減衰を考慮してプール水に混入する水浴者由来の汚染を正確に評価したことは大きな学術的意義があるとともに、プール水の効果的な汚染防止対策立案へ貢献した。これらの結果は逐次プール施設管理者等へフィードバックした。