Natural inactivation of Escherichia coli in anoxic and reduced groundwater
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Abstract
Aims
Inactivation rates of E. coli in groundwater have most often been determined in aerobic and oxidized systems. This study examined E. coli inactivation rates in anaerobic and extremely reduced groundwater systems that have been identified as recharge zones.
Methods and Results
Groundwater from six artesian wells was diverted to above ground, flow through mesocosms that contained laboratory grown E. coli in diffusion chambers. All groundwater was anaerobic and extremely reduced (ORP < -300 mV). Cells were plated onto mTEC agar during 21 day incubation periods. All data fit a bi-phasic inactivation model, with > 95% of the E. coli population being inactivated < 11.0 hrs (mean k = 0.488± 0.188 h−1).
Conclusions
The groundwater geochemical conditions enhanced the inactivation of E. coli to rates approximately 21-fold greater than previously published inactivation rate in groundwater (mean k= 0.023 ± 0.030 h−1). Also, mTEC agar inhibits E. coli growth following exposure to anaerobic and reduced groundwater.
Significance and Impact of the Study
Aquifer recharge zones with geochemical characteristics observed in this study complement above ground engineered processes (e.g., filtration, disinfection), while increasing the overall indicator microorganism log-reduction rate of a facility.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Natural inactivation of Escherichia coli in anoxic and reduced groundwater |
| Series title | Journal of Applied Microbiology |
| DOI | 10.1111/jam.13126 |
| Volume | 120 |
| Issue | 6 |
| Year Published | 2016 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Wiley |
| Contributing office(s) | St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center |
| Description | 12 p. |
| First page | 1739 |
| Last page | 1750 |
| Online Only (Y/N) | N |
| Additional Online Files (Y/N) | N |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |