Destruction of microorganisms in water, sewage and sewage sludge by ionizing radiation (Salty Dog VII)

Technical Report · Fri Mar 22 04:00:00 EST 1957

OSTI ID:6201870

Lowe, Jr, H N; Lacy, W J; Surkiewicz, B F; Jaeger, R F

Samples of double-distilled water and autoclaved sewage were inoculated with appreciable doses of B. subtilis var. niger spores, M. smegmatis, M. pyogenes var. aureus, E. coli, and T-3 coli phage and exposed to gamma radiation from a 1.1 kilocurie source of cobalt-60. Samples of settled sewage and sewage sludge were similarly irradiated. All of the test organisms, when suspended in distilled water and in sterilized sewage, were destroyed by gamma radiation. The dosage for complete kill was high, ranging from 2.0 x 10/sup 6/ rad for B. subtilis var. niger spores to 7.5 x 10/sup 4/ rad for T-3 coli phage when suspended in distilled water. The samples of settled sewage and sewage sludge were sterilized by gamma radiation. The dosages required for 100 percent kill were 5.0 x 10/sup 6/ rad and 2.0 x 10/sup 6/ rad respectively. The dosage required for lower kills was materially less than for 100 percent kill. With the exception of B. subtilis var. niger spores, the most resistant of the test organisms, kills up to 90 percent were achieved in water, settled sewage, and in sewage sludge at dosages no larger than 7 x 10/sup 4/ rad.

• Research Organization: Army Engineer Research and Development Labs., Fort Belvoir, VA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6201870
• Report Number(s): NP-5900157; ON: DE85900157
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560134* -- Radiation Effects on Microorganisms-- Vaccine Preparation & Other Applications-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CELL KILLING
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
DOSES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
GAMMA RADIATION
IONIZING RADIATIONS
IRRADIATION
MICROORGANISMS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATIONS
RADIOSTERILIZATION
SEWAGE
SEWAGE SLUDGE
SLUDGES
STERILIZATION
WASTES