The effect of various abiotic factors on the survival growth of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in bathroom greywater

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine the effect of various abiotic (non-living chemical and physical) factors, which enhance or limit the growth of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in bathroom greywater (GW). These factors included: temperature (6± 2, 23±2 and 42±2 °C); aeration (aerobic and anaerobic); salinity (1.75 and 3.5%); GW with deionised water (DW) (50% GW:50% DW); and nutrient-rich and -poor medium. The survival period and decay constant (K) were less at 42 ± 2 °C than at 23±2 °C and 6±2 °C. The optimum survival of E. coli and P. aeruginosa was measured under aerobic and anaerobic condition, respectively. P. aeruginosa showed better survival in low salinity concentrations than E. coli. Cell size and zeta potential were also measured for both species under the test conditions. © IWA Publishing 2012.