Bacterial air pollution at a wastewater treatment plant

An investigation of bacterial aerosols emitted from aeration tanks at an activated sludge wastewater treatment plant was conducted by Niagara University undergraduates as a way to explore local microbial issues and their effects on society. Ambient air concentrations of bacteria were measured upwind...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Bios (Madison, N.J.) N.J.), 2008-12, Vol.79 (4), p.150-159
Main Authors: Brennan-Calanan, Renee M, Gallo, Mark A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Activated sludge
Aeration
Aerosols
Air pollution
Bacteria
Epidemiology
Infections
Pathogens
Research Article
s
Wastewater
Wastewater treatment
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Summary:An investigation of bacterial aerosols emitted from aeration tanks at an activated sludge wastewater treatment plant was conducted by Niagara University undergraduates as a way to explore local microbial issues and their effects on society. Ambient air concentrations of bacteria were measured upwind and downwind of the aeration tanks, and any downwind increase was attributed to the tanks. The results revealed that total bacterial concentrations were significantly greater downwind of the tanks as compared to upwind, and bacterial air pollution was believed to be a result of the aeration process. Among the genera isolated downwind were Serratia, Klebsiella, and Escherichia, all potential pathogens. The project enabled the Niagara University students to perform service learning that highlighted the importance of microbiology and microbiologists at the local community level.
ISSN:0005-3155
1943-6289
DOI:10.1893/0005-3155-79.4.150