Entrainment of viruses from septic tank leach fields through a shallow, sandy soil aquifer

Journal Article · Sun May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1983 · Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5347974

Vaughn, J M; Landry, E F; Thomas, M Z

A study was conducted which focused on movement of naturally occurring human enteroviruses from a subsurface wastewater disposal system through a shallow aquifer. The potential for significant entrainment of virus particles was evidenced by their recovery at down-gradient distances of 67.05 m and from aquifer depths of 18 m. A significant negative correlation was observed between virus occurrence and the distance from the ''septage'' (leaching pool) source. Virus occurrence could not be statistically correlated with either total or fecal coliforms, indicating the limitations of current microbial water quality indicators for predicting the virological quality of groundwater.

• Research Organization: Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY
• OSTI ID: 5347974
• Journal Information: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Vol. 45:5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AQUIFERS
CONTAMINATION
VIRUSES
ENTRAINMENT
FORECASTING
GROUND WATER
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTE WATER
WATER QUALITY
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
LIQUID WASTES
MANAGEMENT
MICROORGANISMS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PARASITES
PROCESSING
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
WATER
520200* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)