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Influence of Particle Association and Suspended Solids on UV Inactivation of Fecal Indicator Bacteria in an Urban River

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Abstract

In order to assess and accurately predict the self-purification capabilities of rivers with respect to enteric pollution, a thorough understanding of mechanisms such as dispersion, particle association, and inactivation in the water column is crucial. In this study, we firstly performed particle size distribution analyses of wastewater and investigated the Escherichia coli and enterococci loadings of each size fraction. It was seen that 91 % of E. coli and 83 % of enterococci were associated with particle sizes less than or equal to 12 μm. Particles larger than 63 μm contributed less than 1 % to overall E. coli and enterococci loadings. Based on these results, batch experiments were performed to investigate the effect of particle size and total suspended solids (TSS) concentration on UV inactivation of the two fecal indicator bacteria (FIB). A direct relationship between the particle size to which FIB were associated and their UV inactivation rate was noted. E. coli and enterococci associated with particles smaller than or equal to 12 μm were inactivated on average 2 × and 1.7 × faster than those associated with the larger particle fraction of 12 to 63 μm. It was additionally seen that as the TSS concentrations increased, the UV inactivation rates decreased. A tailing effect of UV inactivation was however noted at TSS concentrations above approximately 100 mg L−1.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG HO 599 1910/9-1 and RU 1546/2-1) and the Oswald-Schulze Foundation (OSS 1596/11). We would like to thank Hubert Moosrainer and Ursula Wallentits of the Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering for their technical assistance as well as Dr. Steffen Krause of the Bundeswehr University Munich for allowing us to perform particle size distribution measurements with their instrument.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Technische Universität München, Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering, Am Coulombwall, 85748, Garching, Germany

    E. Walters, M. Graml, C. Behle & E. Müller

  2. Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Engler-Bunte-Institut, Chair of Water Chemistry and Water Technology, Engler-Bunte-Ring 1, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany

    H. Horn

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  1. E. Walters
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  2. M. Graml
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  3. C. Behle
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  4. E. Müller
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  5. H. Horn
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Correspondence to E. Walters.

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Walters, E., Graml, M., Behle, C. et al. Influence of Particle Association and Suspended Solids on UV Inactivation of Fecal Indicator Bacteria in an Urban River. Water Air Soil Pollut 225, 1822 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-013-1822-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-013-1822-8

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