INVESTIGADORES
CRUZ Mercedes Cecilia
congresos y reuniones científicas
Título:
Initial survey of biofilms in drinking water pipes in Singapore
Autor/es:
CRUZ, MERCEDES CECILIA; WILLIAMS, ROHAN; TENG, SARAH; ARUMUGAN, KRITHIKA; DRAUTZ-MOSES, DANIELA; KJELLEBERG, STAFFAN; WUERTZ, STEFAN
Lugar:
Arosa
Reunión:
Conferencia; IWA Specialized Conference Biofilms in drinking water systems From treatment to tap; 2015
Institución organizadora:
International Water Association
Resumen:
Adjunto (abstract extendido). Presentacion en formato poster. Best poster awardAbstractSeveral studies have reported the occurrence of biofilms in drinking water and the principal variables that affect the formations such as material pipe, water age, water quality (van der Kooij and van der Wielen, 2013). Due to limited access to the pipe walls, prior studies have used model systems (pilot or lab scale) to simulate the development of biofilms in WDS, but they do not necessarily reflect actual conditions in distribution pipes. In contrast, few in situ studies have been published (Hwang, et al. 2012, Flemming, 2010, Kelly et al. 2014), and most of them were performed in countries with a temperate climate and seasonal changes. Singapore has a tropical rainforest climate (Af, Köppen classification) and no distinct seasons. These environmental conditions can favor biofilm growth; in addition, decay of monochloramine, used as a disinfectant, can produce free ammonia leading to nitrification problems in the pipeline network.Our research aims to characterize the biofilms in drinking water pipes as potential refuge for biofilm-mediated nitrification, using next generation sequencing (NGS) and quantitative PCR (qPCR). We apply cultivation-independent molecular methods to detect bacteria that are viable but non-cultivable. This dormant state is common to organisms that are aggregated in biofilms and experience typical stress conditions like those resulting from disinfectant action.