Abstract
The use of chlorine dioxide () instead of free chlorine () as a preoxidant is an effective option for reducing disinfection byproducts (DBPs) and enhancing coagulation in water treatment plants (WTPs). This study takes a first look at water quality and bacterial community responses within a WTP when switching preoxidants between and . Water samples and biofilm coupons inserted in the sedimentation basin were collected during the change between and in a local WTP. Biofilm density and bacteria viability significantly decreased in response to the preoxidant change. Molecular methods confirmed the switch to oxidation that decreased the diversity index for both biofilms and basin waters. Range weighted richness calculations reveal that changing the preoxidant results in a more adverse environment for bacterial growth, compared to maintaining one preoxidant over time. The insights provided regarding microbial growth and diversity under differing oxidants offer a unique perspective in water treatment that warrants further examination.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank the Beaver Water District for providing funding for this project and allowing access within the water treatment plant. Additional thanks to the Arkansas Water Resources Center for supplemental financial support. Confocal images were obtained on an instrument provided by the P3 Center, funded through the Arkansas ASSET Initiative II (EPS-1003970) by the National Science Foundation and the Arkansas Science and Technology Authority.
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Information & Authors
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Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 142 • Issue 2 • February 2016
Copyright
© 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Apr 2, 2015
Accepted: Aug 5, 2015
Published online: Oct 16, 2015
Published in print: Feb 1, 2016
Discussion open until: Mar 16, 2016
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