A comparison of the biocidal efficiencies of free chlorine, chloramines, and chlorine dioxide on the heterotrophic iron precipitating bacterium, Pseudomonas cepacia

Little information is available regarding the applicability of various disinfectants to the control of microbial growths within water distribution systems, especially in relation to "nuisance" organisms. With regards to microbially mediated iron precipitation, an isolated heterotrophic iron precipitating bacterium was identified. An investigation of free chlorine, chloramines, and chlorine dioxide was undertaken to examine their applicability in the control and/or elimination of this type of deterioration in water quality. Environmental conditions were then varied to determine their effects on the disinfectant's efficiencies. The isolated bacterium was identified as Pseudomonas cepacia. It was determined that chlorine dioxide offered a serious challenge to chlorine as a secondary disinfectant on the basis of its biocidal capabilities and stability. Solution pH affected free chlorine's efficiency the greatest, while chloramine's poor efficiency suggested that its use should be avoided in areas of microbial iron precipitation. Water temperature and turbidity showed a minimal effect on the rate of inactivation of P. cepacia for all the disinfectants under consideration.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Environmental Sciences and Engineering

Department dc:contributor.department

Environmental Sciences and Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Year dc:date.issued

1982

Author dc:creator

• Rickloff, James Richard

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10919/80234

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/80234