I have obtained some strange looking results with copper disinfection of wastewater. The total coliform count decreases moderately ( 3 log removal) within the first 3- 6 hours of applying the copper. However, after 24 hours, the total coliform count increases instead of decreasing. Rather than disinfection, the action of the copper metal could be inhibition. Could it be that the bacteria can potentially acclimatize the heavy metal environment especially when their number is high as in wastewater (unless some prior disinfection is applied)? How reliable is heavy metal as disinfectant especially for wastewater?
Published by Ababu Teklemariam Tiruneh (Ph.D.), University of Swaziland - Senior Lecturer
I have obtained some strange looking results with copper disinfection of wastewater. The total coliform count decreases moderately ( 3 log removal) within the first 3- 6 hours of applying the copper. However, after 24 hours, the total coliform count increases instead of decreasing. Rather than disinfection, the action of the copper metal could be inhibition. Could it be that the bacteria can potentially acclimatize the heavy metal environment especially when their number is high as in wastewater (unless some prior disinfection is applied)? How reliable is heavy metal as disinfectant especially for wastewater?