Fate and transport of viruses during sewage treatment in a mound system

• Published in: Water research (Oxford) Vol. 42; no. 12; pp. 3047 - 3056
• Main Authors: Charles, Katrina J., Souter, Freya C., Baker, Danielle L., Davies, Cheryl M., Schijven, Jack F., Roser, David J., Deere, Daniel A., Priscott, Paul K., Ashbolt, Nicholas J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2008; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Bacteriophage; Bacteriophage PRD1 - physiology; bacteriophages; Bioreactors - virology; environmental fate; Environmental Monitoring; Exact sciences and technology; field experimentation; Filtration - instrumentation; mortality; Mound; Other industrial wastes. Sewage sludge; pathogens; Pollution; sand; Sewage; Sewage - virology; sewage treatment; Silicon Dioxide; slags; soil amendments; Soil Microbiology; Treatment; Virus; viruses; Wastes; Water Microbiology; Water Purification - methods; Water treatment and pollution; New South Wales; Virus; Mound; Sewage; Treatment; Bacteriophage; Drinking water treatment; Microbiology; Phosphorus; Waste water; Transport process; Industrial waste; Pathogenic; Metabolic inactivation; Solid waste; Slag; Waste water purification; Biological contamination; Blast furnace slag
• ISSN: 0043-1354; 1879-2448
• DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2008.02.032

Studies undertaken to assess the performance of filter materials to remove phosphorus in decentralised sewage systems have not reported on the broader performance of these systems. This study aimed to identify virus fate and transport mechanisms at the laboratory scale for comparison with field experiments on a mound system amended with blast furnace slag. Inactivation was a significant removal mechanism for MS2 bacteriophage, but not for PRD1 bacteriophage. Column studies identified rapid transport of PRD1. Laboratory studies predicted lower removal of PRD1 in a full scale system than was experienced in the field study, highlighting the importance of considering pH and flow rate in pathogen removal estimates. The results highlight the necessity for studying a range of organisms when assessing the potential for pathogen transport.