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Degree

MS, University of Cincinnati, Arts and Sciences : Biological Sciences, 2010.

Abstract

Nitrification in drinking water distribution systems is a problem prevalent throughout the world, and it has become more pertinent since chloramination has become a popular disinfectant technique. Because nitrification requires ammonia, removing ammonia in source waters prior to treatment would benefit both the utility and consumers. Biologically active filtration is a well known technology in Europe but its reliability, and thus implementation, is questioned in the United States. In this study, natural microbial flora from a full-scale treatment plant in Greene County, Ohio was used to seed two pilot scale rapid sand filters. These filters were evaluated for their ability to oxidize ammonia-nitrogen. Molecular techniques, including 16S ribosomal RNA and amoA gene sequencing and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis, were used to phylogenetically identify and fingerprint the isolates. In addition to investigating nitrification, microbial arsenic oxidation was also investigated in pilot-scale filters. Chemical analysis and microbial ecology is compared and discussed in terms of operational changes and water chemistry.

Subject Headings

Microbiology

Keywords

Biological treatment; Arsenic oxidation; Drinking water; Molecular ecology; Nitrification; Ammonia oxidation

Committee / Advisors

Ronald Debry, PhD (Committee Chair)
Jodi Shann, PhD (Committee Member)
Darren Lytle, PhD (Committee Member)

Pages

112p.

Document number: ucin1277154047
Permalink: http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1277154047

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