Bacterial populations in the biofilm and non-biofilm components of a sand filter used in water treatment

Abstract

The bacterial composition of the biofilm and non-biofilm components of a rapid sand filter used in water purification in Alexandria, Egypt, was determined. The total bacterial population was 64.30 × 104 cfu g−1 at the surface of the filter but this decreased to 21.52 × 104 cfu g−1 at a depth of 50 cm. Representatives of 22 genera were identified, with five genera (Micrococcus luteus, Pseudomonas spp., Alcaligenes spp., Citrobacter spp. and Enterobacter spp.) considered to be members of the biofilm consortium as they were present at all tested levels of the sand filter and were resistant to removal by wash treatments. The biofilm consortium made up 50.3% of the total bacterial population at the surface of the filter and 71.1% of the population at the 50-cm level. Bacteria able to reduce nitrate and/or sulfate were present in both the biofilm and non-film populations.