Influence of biofilm on removal of surrogate faecal microbes in a constructed wetland and maturation pond

The effect of biofilm on the attenuation of pathogen-sized particles from wastewater was compared for biofilms cultivated in a surface flow constructed wetland (SFW) and maturation pond (MP) The fate of fluorescently labelled microspheres (FLM) as surrogates for viruses (0.1 microm), bacteria (1 mic...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Water science and technology 2005-01, Vol.51 (9), p.315-322
Main Authors: Stott, R, Tanner, C C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Artificial wetlands
Bacteria
Bacteria - isolation & purification
Biodegradation, Environmental
Biofilms
Ecosystem
Eukaryota - isolation & purification
Eukaryota - pathogenicity
Feces - microbiology
Interception
Maturation
Microcosms
Microorganisms
Microspheres
Oxygen
Parasitic diseases
Pathogens
Photosynthesis
Ponds
Protozoa
Removal
Surface flow
Thickness
Viruses
Viruses - isolation & purification
Waste Disposal, Fluid - methods
Wastewater
Water Microbiology
Wetlands
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Summary:The effect of biofilm on the attenuation of pathogen-sized particles from wastewater was compared for biofilms cultivated in a surface flow constructed wetland (SFW) and maturation pond (MP) The fate of fluorescently labelled microspheres (FLM) as surrogates for viruses (0.1 microm), bacteria (1 microm) and parasitic protozoa (4.5 microm dia) was investigated in microcosms in the presence or absence of biofilms. Rates of FLM removal from suspension were higher in the presence of biofilms for all particle sizes (kd 0.02-0.11 h(-1)) in MP and SFW microcosms with removal efficiency related to particle size and biofilm thickness and structure. Greater removal of 0.1 microm (79-81%), 1 microm FLM (92-96%) and 4.5 microm FLM (up to 98%) from suspension were found for microcosms containing thicker (autotrophic) biofilms grown in the MP or open water zone of the SFW. Lower removal of 43% (0.1 microm), 59% (1 microm) and 84% (4.5 microm) occurred in microcosms containing thinner heterotrophic biofilms from SFW vegetated zones. Providing surfaces for attachment of photosynthetic biofilms offers potential to enhance pathogen removal in open water systems. In vegetated systems, linkage to more oxic openwater zones may allow thicker and 'stickier' epiphytic biofilms to develop, improving pathogen interception and removal.
ISSN:0273-1223
1996-9732
DOI:10.2166/wst.2005.0343