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Decay of infectious SARS-CoV-2 and surrogates in aquatic environments

Water Research paper comparing infectious SARS-CoV-2 decay, viral RNA persistence and MS2 or PMMoV surrogate behaviour in river water and seawater.

Decay of infectious SARS-CoV-2 and surrogates in aquatic environments

Audience
Environmental virology laboratories, water researchers and risk teams
Region
Global
Level
Scientific paper
Reading time
10 min

Related topics: SARS-CoV-2, Viral decay, MS2, PMMoV, River water, Seawater, Persistence

Executive summary

  • Infectious SARS-CoV-2 persisted longer at 4 degrees Celsius than at 20 degrees Celsius.
  • Decay was faster in seawater than river water under the conditions studied.
  • SARS-CoV-2 RNA was more stable than infectious virus, so molecular detection did not directly represent infectivity.
  • MS2 and PMMoV behaved differently from SARS-CoV-2 RNA, limiting simple surrogate interpretation.

What the paper covers

Area Paper focus Why it matters
Temperature Infectious virus decay depended strongly on 4 versus 20 degrees Celsius. Temperature should be documented in interpretation and sampling design.
Matrix River water and seawater produced different decay profiles. Matrix context matters before extrapolating persistence data.
Surrogates MS2 and PMMoV did not simply mirror SARS-CoV-2 RNA decay. Surrogate selection needs a clear technical rationale.

Relevance for water programs

  • Separate molecular detection from infectivity when designing environmental virus communication.
  • Record matrix and temperature metadata as part of traceable sample interpretation.
  • Avoid assuming a surrogate behaves like the target without supporting evidence.
  • Use the paper to train teams on persistence, decay, sampling and reporting limitations.

Primary source

Original paper / DOI

Implementation checklist

  • ✓ Separate molecular detection from infectivity when designing environmental virus communication.
  • ✓ Record matrix and temperature metadata as part of traceable sample interpretation.
  • ✓ Avoid assuming a surrogate behaves like the target without supporting evidence.
  • ✓ Use the paper to train teams on persistence, decay, sampling and reporting limitations.

Related AquaVerify resources

ENUMERA Quantitative workflows for microbiological enumeration in water samples. ISO/EPA Kits Reference-oriented microbiology workflows for method-specific water testing. AquaVerify Cloud LIMS, CoA, audit trail and traceability for connected water microbiology operations.

Recommended next step

Share your matrix, monitoring objective, reporting need and expected decision context so AquaVerify can help map products, workflow and traceability.

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FAQ

Does this page replace the original paper?

No. This page summarizes the technical relevance and links to the DOI or official source so teams can review the full methodology, data and limitations.

Is this a product approval claim?

No. The paper is presented as scientific context. Product selection, method verification and regulatory interpretation remain dependent on matrix, laboratory scope and competent authority requirements.

How should a laboratory use it?

Use it to prepare a technical discussion around targets, indicators, sampling design, controls, reporting and traceability before changing a routine workflow.

Reference

  • Laura Sala-Comorera, Liam J. Reynolds, Niamh A. Martin, John J. O’Sullivan, Wim G. Meijer and Nicola F. Fletcher.
  • Water Research, 201 (2021) 117090. DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117090.
  • Primary source: DOI