Applied and environmental microbiology
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Appl. Environ. Microbiol. · Apr 2007
Persistence and decontamination of Bacillus atrophaeus subsp. globigii spores on corroded iron in a model drinking water system.
Persistence of Bacillus atrophaeus subsp. globigii spores on corroded iron coupons in drinking water was studied using a biofilm annular reactor. Spores were inoculated at 10(6) CFU/ml in the dechlorinated reactor bulk water. The dechlorination allowed for observation of the effects of hydraulic shear and biofilm sloughing on persistence. ⋯ Decontamination with elevated free chlorine levels immediately after spore injection resulted in a 3-log(10) reduction within 2 weeks, but the rate of inactivation leveled off afterward. This indicates that free chlorine did not reach portions of the corroded iron surface where B. atrophaeus subsp. globigii spores had adhered. B. atrophaeus subsp. globigii spores are capable of persisting for an extended time in the presence of high levels of free chlorine.