title: Sunlight inactivation of Escherichia coli in waste stabilization microcosms in a sahelian region (Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso).
abstract: Experiments on sunlight inactivation of Escherichia coli were conducted from November 2006 to June 2007 in eight outdoors microcosms with different depths filled with maturation pond wastewater in order to determine pond depth influence on sunlight inactivation of E. coli. The long-term aim was to maximize sunlight inactivation of waterborne pathogens in waste stabilization ponds (WSPs) in sahelian regions where number of sunny days enable longer exposure of wastewater to sunlight. The inactivation was followed during daylight from 8.00 h to 17.00 h and during the night. Sunlight inactivation rates (K(S)), as a function of cumulative global solar radiation (insolation), were 16 and 24 times higher than the corresponding dark inactivation (K(D)) rates, respectively in cold and warm season. In warm season, E. coli was inactivated far more rapidly. Inactivation of E. coli follows the evolution of radiation during the day. In shallow depth microcosms, E. coli was inactivated far more rapidly than in high depth microcosms. The physical chemical parameters [pH, dissolved oxygen (DO)] of microcosms water were higher in shallow depth microcosms than in high depth microcosms suggesting a synergistic effect of sunlight and these parameters to damage E. coli. To increase the efficiency of the elimination of waterborne bacteria, the use of maturation ponds with intermediate depths (0.4m) would be advisable in view of the high temperatures and thus evaporation recorded in sahelian regions.
authors.affiliation: Université de Ouagadougou, UFR SVT, Centre de Recherche en Sciences Biologiques, Alimentaires et Nutritionnelles (CRSBAN), Laboratoire de Microbiologie et de Biotechnologie, 03 BP 7131, Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso.
authors.forename: Ynoussa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Maïga
authors.forename: Kokou
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Denyigba
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wethe
authors.forename: Aboubakar Sidiki
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Ouattara
mesh_terms: D002050:Burkina Faso; D016923:Cell Death / Q000528:radiation effects; D003624:Darkness; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D056890:Eukaryota; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000528:radiation effects*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D012621:Seasons; D012995:Solubility; D013472:Sunlight; D013696:Temperature; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D018505:Waste Management
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen