Transcript Document
418 Durham Hall
Impact of Chemical
Environmental and Water Resources Engineering
Virginia Tech
and Microbiological Oxidation and Reduction of Manganese in Drinking
Abstract/Background
Worldwide, corrosion of drinking water pipes and
build-up of scales on the interior pipe wall impacts both
the quality and quantity of water delivered to consumers.
This research investigated the role of chemical and
microbiological factors on pipe corrosion and
manganese oxidation and reduction in drinking water
supply systems. Severe manganese contamination was
reported in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Consumers
constantly complain of receiving “black water” at their
taps and for this reason the city was selected for this
research. Two water plants from Virginia that perform
Mn removal were also selected for this study. Results of
this study indicate that control of both microbial and
chemical processes are important to limiting corrosion
and that pipe type (PVC vs. iron) will influence scaling,
biofilm growth, and water quality.
Chemical Analyses
Microbiological Analyses
Measured pH, chlorine, and dissolved oxygen concentrations
in situ using portable instrumentation.
Determined total and dissolved manganese concentrations via
inductively coupled plasma (ICP-MS).
Statistical analyses performed using SAS (α=0.05).
Detection and enumeration of Mn-oxidizing and reducing
microorganisms using selective agar and broth media.
Oxidation was assessed via spectrophotometry at 620nm.
Mn-reduction was assessed via atomic adsorption by
measuring dissolved Mn (filtered through 0.22m membrane).
Concentration (mg/l)
Sample
2a
Mn -oxidizing bacteria
2b
Insoluble Manganese,
Mn+4, MnO2
Oxidants: Oxygen (O2), Chlorine (Cl2), etc.
Chemical Factors
Findings/Results
Oxidation
Soluble Manganese,
Mn+2
Discussion
Materials and Methods
Manganese Redox
Chemical Oxidation
Figures 2a and 2b. Particulate manganese retained
in a 0.45 m membrane and in a water sample.
Manganese
Chlorine
Dissolved
Oxygen
Total
Dissolved
Plant Influent
0.282
0.012
0.259
0.011
BDL1
N.A.2
Plant Effluent
0.261
0.036
0.254
0.034
1.250
0.06
9.3
PVC
(First Flush )
15.732
10.323
0.014
0.009
0.550
8.2
Iron
(First Flush )
0.743
0.471
0.018
0.004
0.375
0.007
7.1
PVC
(Continuous)
0.821
1.469
0.068
0.025
0.610
0.038
10.5
Iron
(Continuous)
0.036
0.012
0.021
0.006
0.310
0.061
8.1
B.D.L. = Below Detection Limit
2
Reduction
Microbiological Factors
The fact that Mn-oxidizing and –reducing bacteria
have a natural tendency to form a biofilm when
attaching to solid surfaces is important because such
environment could potentially harbor pathogenic
bacteria.
Although Mn-oxidizing bacteria are aerobic and Mnreducing bacteria are facultative anaerobic, the
obtained results suggest the possible coexistence of
both types of bacteria in the same biofilm.
It is likely that biofilms formed in the sedimentation
basin, filtration basin and distribution system contribute
to manganese release in drinking water.
N.A. = Not Analyzed
Number of Isolates Recovered
Manganese
Figure1. Chemical and microbiological factors affecting manganese
oxidation and reduction in drinking water systems.
Identify microbiological and chemical factors involved
in deposition, cycling, and removal of manganese in
biofilms of drinking water systems.
Investigate the effect of piping materials -PVC and
iron- on drinking water quality for a water supply system
constantly fed by Mn(II).
Limitations
30
Soluble Mn
PVC Pipes
WTP
Public Infrastructure
Mostly iron and concrete
High Mn, black
particles, low chlorine
Mn, black
h
ig
H
:
C
V
P
w chlorine
particles, lo
Iron Pipes
IRON: lo
wer Mn,
, low ch
lori
.. .
….
Number of Isolates
Reservoir Water
6b
Figures 6a and 6b. PVC and Iron pipes collected from
the distribution system in Honduras.
Table 1. Obtained concentrations of water quality parameters in Honduras
1
Manganese “pipe scales” were easily dislodged from
PVC pipes leading to severe “black water” problems.
Less particulate manganese was released from iron
pipes because it was incorporated into biofilms and iron
pipes where it contributed to corrosion.
Residual chlorine concentrations of water samples
collected in the distribution system were approximately
70% less than those at the treatment plant, suggesting
that manganese increased the chlorine demand and
possibly reduces disinfection.
6a
Mn -reducing bacteria
Objectives
José M. Cerrato and Andrea M. Dietrich:
Water
Systems
Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Joseph O. Falkinham III:
Department of Biological Sciences
25
Oxidizers
20
Reducers
15
10
5
0
ne
Sedimentation Basin
Figure 3. Manganese cycle in the dinking water system
of Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
Filtration Basin
Distribution System
Figure 4. Isolates recovered from the different locations at the drinking
water treatment and distribution system.
There are no methods available for identification and
Control
Control
12
Mn (mg/l) / g Dry Weight
As an essential element, manganese is necessary for
health but excessive concentrations cause illness.
Control and occurrence of manganese at the tap is still
a troublesome problem for many water utilities,
especially with regards to the role of microorganisms.
This research represents a great opportunity
for interdisciplinary collaborations in microbiology,
chemistry, and engineering to uncover new fundamental
science that can be immediately applied to drinking
water treatment and supply practices.
70
14
Mn (mg/l) / g Dry Weight
Implications
Assessment for Mn Reduction
Assessment for Mn Oxidation
separation of simultaneous chemical and microbial
mediated redox reactions to determine their relative
contributions.
PVC Pipe
10
Iron Pipe
Sand Filter Media
8
6
4
2
0
7a
Iron Pipe
1
2
Time (w eek)
3
4
5b
7b
PVC Pipe
50
Figures 7a and 7b. Mn-oxidizing bacteria grown in
Mn-oxidizing selective agar and broth media.
Sand Filter Media
40
30
Acknowledgements
National Science Foundation
NSF Grant # DMII0329474
20
10
0
0
5a
60
0
1
2
Time (w eeks)
3
Figures 5a and 5b. Assessment for Mn –oxidation and –reduction of biofilm suspensions obtained from Honduras.
4