Solar and photocatalytic disinfection of protozoan, fungal and bacterial microbes in drinking water

Water Res. 2005 Mar;39(5):877-83. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2004.11.023. Epub 2005 Jan 21.

Abstract

The ability of solar disinfection (SODIS) and solar photocatalytic (TiO(2)) disinfection (SPC-DIS) batch-process reactors to inactivate waterborne protozoan, fungal and bacterial microbes was evaluated. After 8 h simulated solar exposure (870 W/m(2) in the 300 nm-10 microm range, 200 W/m(2) in the 300-400 nm UV range), both SPC-DIS and SODIS achieved at least a 4 log unit reduction in viability against protozoa (the trophozoite stage of Acanthamoeba polyphaga), fungi (Candida albicans, Fusarium solani) and bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli). A reduction of only 1.7 log units was recorded for spores of Bacillus subtilis. Both SODIS and SPC-DIS were ineffective against the cyst stage of A. polyphaga.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acanthamoeba / isolation & purification
  • Animals
  • Catalysis
  • Cysts / diagnosis
  • Cysts / prevention & control
  • Disinfection / methods*
  • Drinking
  • Eukaryota / radiation effects*
  • Fungi / radiation effects*
  • Photochemistry
  • Solar Energy
  • Spores, Bacterial / radiation effects*
  • Sunlight*
  • Time Factors
  • Water Microbiology
  • Water Supply