Statistical Evaluation of the Factors causing Microbial Growth in Point-of-use Filters

Due to the lead spike and its related health concern in the DC area, Point-of-Use (POU) filters were installed at public schools to reduce lead concentrations in water. However, the installation of POU filter could possibly lead to the growth of bacteria inside the filters, which could lead to health concerns. Therefore, the potential effects of POU filters on microbial growth was investigated. To explore the cause of filter effects on microbial growth, a sampling campaign was carried out between July and December 2017 from 25 outlets within 5 elementary schools in the DC area. The applicability of flow cytometry results as a quantification method was validated and then used to quantify the biological growth. Our results revealed that the installation of POU filters may lead to nitrification and an increase in microbial growth. Along with the increase in microbial growth, the microorganism community "fingerprints" based on flow cytometry data showed that the installation of filter could also shift the community distribution of bacteria based on their morphology. This study serves as a preliminary study to investigate the mechanics of microbial colonization on POU filters.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Environmental Engineering

Department dc:contributor.department

Environmental Sciences and Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2018

Author dc:creator

• Lin, Jie

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Wang, Zhiwu

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Novak, John T.
• Dai, Dongjuan
• Alfredo, Katherine

• POU filters
• microbial growth
• flow cytometry

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

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

Dc Identifier Other

vt_gsexam:16310

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/83609