Examination of the behaviour of Escherichia coli in biofilms established in laboratory-scale units receiving chlorinated and chloraminated water

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Authors

Momba, M.N.B.
Cloete, T.E. (Thomas Eugene), 1958-
Venter, S.N. (Stephanus Nicolaas)
Kfir, R. (Rivka), 1951-

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Publisher

Elsevier

Abstract

Groundwater was treated with chlorine and chloramine to study the incorporation and survival of Escherichia coli in developing biofllms in laboratory-scale units. Membrane filter and standard spread plate procedure were used to enumerate coliform and heterotrophic plate count bacteria respectively. Within 96 h the adhesion of heterotrophic plate count bacteria on stainless steel coupons was obvious in all systems, with a higher number of organisms (4 log cfu cm sq) noted for the non-disinfected water. Attachment of E. coli added 24 h after the formation of young biofllms was obvious on stainless steel coupons exposed to the non-disinfected water (9 cfu cm sq) and chlorinated water (2 cfu cm sq). A significant difference between E. coli counts in the non-disinfected water and chloraminated water, and the chlorinated and chloraminated water, was found. However, the ANOVA test indicated no significant difference in E. coli counts for the non-disinfected water and chlorinated water. This investigation revealed the effectiveness of chloramine in preventing the attachment of E. coli in developing biofilm.

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Keywords

E. coli (Bacterium), Chlorinated water, Chloraminated water

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Citation

Momba, MNB, Cloete, TE, Venter, SN & Kfir, R 1999, 'Examination of the behaviour of Escherichia coli in biofilms established in laboratory-scale units receiving chlorinated and chloraminated water', Water Research, vol. 33, no. 13, pp. 2937-2940. [http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00431354]