The Effect of MS2 Bacteriophage on the Activity and Performance of Activated Sludge
Abstract
The effects of MS2 bacteriophage at a concentration of 3.2x108 PFU/mL were assessed by determining peak O2 consumption, cumulative O2 consumption, molar CO2/O2 ratios, and shape factors. None of the MS2 samples caused statistically significant effects on the peak or cumulative O2 consumption. The molar CO2/O2 ratios were also not substantially impacted. The skewness and first moment of the area were not significantly impacted by the introduction of the MS2 virus. MS2 bacteriophage did not inhibit chemical oxygen demand (COD) or nitrogen removal. When viewed at 100X amplification and at multiple wavelengths, the MS2 virus appeared to both remain free floating and to adsorb to activated sludge flocculated particles. To the authors knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the effect of MS2 bacteriophage on activated sludge activity and the first to use dual fluorescent labeling to examine a mixed consortia of activated sludge microorganisms and MS2. Overall, the results illustrate that the MS2 bacteriophage is unlikely to cause short-term interference with primary biological treatment at an activated sludge treatment plant.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 23, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1056534
Entities
People
- Sean M Stuntz
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology