Date of Award
Fall 1977
Document Type
Thesis - Restricted
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering
First Advisor
Zanoni, A. E.
Second Advisor
Kipp, Raymond
Third Advisor
Peterson, Jack
Abstract
An investigation into selected variables associated with in vitro or " jug" type coliform survival studies was conducted. All studies were performed with 15 1 water samples incubated in glass carboys, at 20° C, and in darkness. Total and fecal coliform determinations were made by the membrane filter method according to Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (14th ed.). The coliform "seed" was fresh, settled, screened raw sewage from the Milwaukee Jones Island wastewater treatment plant. The variables studied included mixing conditions during incubation, types of water (both "natural" and deionized), and inoculation effects. Three mixing conditions were used: continuous agitation, mixing only prior to sampling, and totally undisturbed incubation. The water samples included Lake Michigan beach water, Milwaukee river and harbor water, and laboratory- prepared deionized water. Some samples were inoculated (150 ml seed into 15 1 water) only once, while others were reinoculated weekly. The results indicate that mixing is a very significant variable and the detailed procedures for incubation and mixing should be reported. Water types also influenced coliform population dynamics. Repeated weekly reinoculations did not change the typical corresponding coliform population curve. The most startling consistent result was the multiplication of both total and fecal coliforms within 24 hours of inoculation. The total coli multiplied by a factor of 20 to 80 and fecal coli multi plied by a factor of 5 to 30.
Recommended Citation
Fleissner, John T., "Factors Influencing the Survival of Coliform Bacteria under Laboratory Conditions" (1977). Master's Theses (1922-2009) Access restricted to Marquette Campus. 4562.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/theses/4562