Microbiological aerosols from a field-source wastewater irrigation system [Deer Creek Lake State Park, Ohio]

• Published in: Journal - Water Pollution Control Federation 1983-01, Vol.55 (1), p.65-75
• Main Authors: Bausum, H.T, Schaub, S.A, Bates, R.E, McKim, H.L, Schumacher, P.W, Brockett, B.E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aerosols; Bioengineering; Dyes; Medical research; Meteorology; Modeling; Particle size classes; Process Research; Sprinkler irrigation; Wastewater; Wind velocity
• ISSN: 0043-1303; 2327-7467

As part of an evaluation of a demonstration land wastewater treatment site, a study was made of bacterial aerosols generated by a multi-sprinkler irrigation system using ponded, chlorinated domestic wastewater. At 21 to 30 m downwind, bacterial standard plate count-determined by Andersen stacked-sieve, viable-type air samplers-ranged from 46 to 1582 colony-forming units $({\rm CFU})/{\rm m}^{3}$ above background (mean 485 ${\rm CFU}/{\rm m}^{3}$). At 9.1 m (30 ft) above ground level and at 200 m downwind, this was reduced an order of magnitude. Tracer studies using sodium fluorescein indicated that aerosol formation involved 0.56% of nonvolatile wastewater solids. Estimated mean bacterial dieoff was 52% at 21 to 30 m and 77% at 200 m. Median aerodynamic particle size was 2.5 to 2.8 μm, with 66 to 78% of particles between 1 and 5 μm, the reported range of efficient pulmonary deposition.