Abstract
Stormwater management is increasingly relying on engineered infiltration systems (EIS) to reduce the volume and improve the quality of managed stormwater. Yet, EIS in the field will be colonized by a diverse array of environmental microorganisms that change the physiochemical properties of the EIS and provide a habitat for microorganisms with harmful or beneficial qualities. Understanding factors influencing the composition and stability of microbial communities could open up strategies for more efficient management of stormwater. Here, we analyzed the potential pathogenic and metabolic capabilities of stormwater microorganisms colonizing idealized EIS (i.e., sand columns) under laboratory conditions over time. The diversity of microbial communities was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and potential pathogens and denitrifying microbes were identified from taxonomic match to known species. Denitrification potential as determined by nosZ abundance was also assessed with quantitative polymerase chain reaction PCR. Our findings demonstrate that replicate microbial communities colonizing sand columns change in a similar way over time, distinct from control columns and the source community. Potential pathogens were initially more abundant on the columns than in the stormwater but returned to background levels by 24 days after inoculation. The conditions within sand columns select for potential denitrifying microorganisms, some of which were also potential pathogens. These results demonstrate that a diverse suite of stormwater microorganisms colonize sand filters, including a transient population of potential pathogens and denitrifiers. Manipulating the inoculating microbial community of EIS could prove an effective mechanism for changing both potential pathogens and denitrifying bacteria.
Highlights
Urbanization has significantly increased the area of impervious surfaces that prevent natural groundwater recharge, resulting in large volumes of stormwater that need to be managed [1].Stormwater can transport pathogens, nutrients, such as nitrogen, and other contaminants from these surfaces to surrounding water bodies if not properly managed [2]
Given the importance of the colonizing microbial community in determining the fate of nutrients and pathogens within engineered infiltration systems (EIS), we examined the potential for denitrification and pathogen survival in experimental EIS initiated with stormwater inoculum
16S rRNA copy number, which corresponds to bacterial concentration, over the 24-day experimental period was determined by Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) (16S rRNA gene copies/μL)
Summary
Urbanization has significantly increased the area of impervious surfaces that prevent natural groundwater recharge, resulting in large volumes of stormwater that need to be managed [1]. Stormwater can transport pathogens, nutrients, such as nitrogen, and other contaminants from these surfaces to surrounding water bodies if not properly managed [2]. Biotransformation of nutrients and removal of pathogens is influenced by microbial communities colonizing engineered infiltration systems (EIS), and these processes are not well understood [5]. Microorganisms attaching to the surface of the media which typically secrete a protective extra polysaccharide layer, are an important aspect of biotransformation and contaminant removal [6]. Understanding the factors that promote efficient and effective contaminant removal in EIS will aid stormwater management efforts and improve surface water quality in surrounding areas
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