A Review of the Mechanisms of Faecal Coliform Removal from Algal and Duckweed Waste Stabilization Pond Systems

E D.O Ansa,H J Gijzen,H J Lubberding,R Banu,W H.K Dorgbetor,A Andoh,E Awuah

doi:10.3844/ajessp.2015.28.34

Abstract

The use of eco-technologies for wastewater treatment such as algal and duckweed-based pond systems is becoming popular in developing countries owing to its affordability and efficiency of pathogen removal in warm climates. The pathogen removal mechanisms of these treatment systems however is still not clearly understood and existing knowledge is also scattered in journals and books of different disciplines. The purpose of this paper is to provide a concise review of knowledge acquired in recent times on faecal coliform removal mechanisms in algal and duckweed ponds in a comparative way while identifying knowledge gaps that still exist. This review pays particular attention to little known removal mechanisms such as the role of algal biomass, attachment and sedimentation of faecal coliforms and the role of predation by macro-invertebrates and protozoans. Recent experiments showed that algal ponds, in comparison with duckweed ponds, are more efficient in faecal coliform removal due to the high pH and oxygenation that occur in the former and the rate of inactivation of faecal coliforms increases with increased algal biomass till a certain optimum concentration after which it decreases. This optimal algal concentration for maximum destruction of faecal coliforms can be affected by the quality and strength of the wastewater. Algae also appeared to have a destructive effect on faecal coliforms even in darkness, a phenomenon that may be the effect of toxic substances from the algae. Results also show that the role of invertebrates, particularly macro-invertebrates may be more important in duckweed pond systems. Removal of faecal coliforms through attachment and sedimentation in both duckweed and algal ponds appear to be dependent largely on concentrations of faecal coliforms present and to some extent on suspended plant and particulate matter concentrations. Wide variations in removal efficiencies were however observed. We conclude that the wide variations in removal efficiencies can be addressed by standardizing operating conditions of treatment systems. Further work is necessary to identify the substances produced by algae which appeared to be toxic to faecal coliforms as well as establishing the relative importance of predation by protozoans and macro-invertebrates in the removal of faecal coliforms.

Highlights

Waste Stabilization Pond systems (WSPs) may consist of anaerobic, facultative and maturation ponds.The primary objective of maturation ponds in waste stabilization pond systems is the removal of pathogens as indicated by faecal coliform or Escherichia coli counts
In comparison with duckweed ponds, are more efficient in FC removal due to the high pH and oxygenation that occur in the former, temperature increases playing a part alongside solar radiation
Starvation for example seems to be of little importance in both pond systems as both types of WSPs do not completely run out of organic matter

Summary

Introduction

Waste Stabilization Pond systems (WSPs) may consist of anaerobic, facultative and maturation ponds. The primary objective of maturation ponds in waste stabilization pond systems is the removal of pathogens as indicated by faecal coliform or Escherichia coli counts. Total coliforms have characteristic rod-shaped, gram negative and able to ferment lactose with the release of carbon dioxide in 24 h at a temperature of 35-37°C but unlike the rest of their counterpart coliforms, faecal coliforms can ferment lactose with the release of carbon dioxide in 24-48 h at a temperature of 44.5-48°C. Most of the studies on the removal of bacterial pathogens from treatment ponds made use of indicator bacteria as their presence correlates well with the presence of faecal contamination (Leclerc et al, 2001) and the possible presence of pathogens, Escherichia coli being more representative (Tallon et al, 2005). Developed methods utilising the βglucuronidase enzyme in E. coli are easy to use, fast, specific and more sensitive than those for other thermotolerant coliforms (Tallon et al, 2005)

Objectives

Findings

Conclusion