Dm. Moll et Rs. Summers, Assessment of drinking water filter microbial communities using taxonomic and metabolic profiles, WATER SCI T, 39(7), 1999, pp. 83-89
Biofiltration is used in drinking water treatment to oxidize the biodegrada
ble fraction of natural organic matter (NOM), thus controlling disinfection
byproducts (DBP), DBP formation and microbial regrowth. Most work to date
has focused on assessing drinking water biofilter performance; the microbia
l dynamics of biofilters have not been examined and are poorly understood.
The objective of this research was to provide baseline information about th
e impact of design, operational and water quality parameters on NOM and DBP
precursor removal, and microbial biomass and community structure profiles
of biologically active drinking water rapid media filters. Phospholipid fai
ry acid (PLFA) profiles and the BIOLOG system for detecting the metabolism
of sole carbon sources were found to be useful for characterizing the micro
bial communities in drinking water biofilters. Substrate removal was impact
ed most by ozonation, contact time, backwashing with water containing disin
fectants, and low temperature. Using the PLFA technique, it was found that
ozonation, contact time, and backwashing with water containing disinfectant
s had the greatest impact on microbial community structure. The BIOLOG syst
em differentiated communities based on ozonation, contact rime, pH, and tem
perature. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd on behalf of the IAWQ.
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