Photocatalytic inactivation of E. faecalis in secondary wastewater plant effluents.
Photocatalytic inactivation of Enterococcus faecalis using TiO(2) suspensions was investigated and compared to the inactivation of the most commonly used faecal indicator strain Escherichia coli. In contrast to the inactivation in pure deionized water, disinfection of effluents from the biological process of an urban wastewater plant showed a longer initial lag phase and higher survival fractions after several hours of irradiation. Moreover, the fluctuation of the composition of the effluents strongly affects the overall inactivation rate, not directly related to changes in the values of organic matter content. Additionally, it was found that E. faecalis seems to be more resistant than E.coli towards the photocatalytic treatment. These results could be related to the differences in the cell wall structure of both microorganisms. The main conclusion of this work is that attention must be paid when transferring results obtained for model organism to real bacteria consortia and from laboratory experiments with deionized water to effluents from sewage plants.
Backhaus
Karin
K
Department of Chemical and Environmental Technology, ESCET, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, C/Tulipán s/n, 28933 Móstoles (Madrid), Spain.
Marugán
Javier
J
van Grieken
Rafael
R
Sordo
Carlos
C
D002384:Catalysis; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000528:radiation effects; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid; D014871:Water Microbiology; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods
C009495:titanium dioxide; D014025:Titanium