Response of bacteria in wastewater sludge to moisture loss by evaporation and effect of moisture content on bacterial inactivation by ionizing radiation. [/sup 60/Co]

Journal Article · Fri May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1981 · Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6337451

Ward, R L ^[1]; Yeager, J G; Ashley, C S

---

1. Sandia National Labs. Albuquerque, NM

Two studies were carried out to determine the influence of moisture content on the survival of bacteria in raw wastewater sludge. The first study involved the effect of water loss by evaporation on the bacterial population. The second used these dewatered samples to measure the effects of moisture content on the inactivation of bacteria in sludge by ionizing radiation. Both studies involved survival measurements of six representative fecally associated bacteria grown separately in sterilized sludge as well as survival data on bacteria indigenous to sludge. Growth of bacteria was stimulated in sludge during the initial phase of moisture removal by evaporation, but the reduction of moisture content below about 50% by weight caused a proportional decrease in bacterial numbers. The rates of inactivation of bacteria by ionizing radiation in sludge were usually modified to some degree by variations in moisture content. Most bacteria were found to be somewhat protected from ionizing radiation at reduced moisture levels.

• OSTI ID: 6337451
• Journal Information: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Vol. 41:5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
BACTERIA
SURVIVAL TIME
CELL KILLING
RADIOINDUCTION
MOISTURE
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
RADIOSENSITIVITY EFFECTS
COBALT 60
EVAPORATION
GAMMA RADIATION
SALMONELLA TYPHIMURIUM
SLUDGES
WASTE WATER
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
COBALT ISOTOPES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
INTERNAL CONVERSION RADIOISOTOPES
IONIZING RADIATIONS
ISOMERIC TRANSITION ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
LIQUID WASTES
MICROORGANISMS
MINUTES LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
NUCLEI
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
RADIATIONS
RADIOISOTOPES
SALMONELLA
WASTES
WATER
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
560131* - Radiation Effects on Microorganisms- Basic Studies- (-1987)
550700 - Microbiology