A comparison of the survival of F+RNA and F+DNA coliphages in lake water microcosms

56Citations
Citations of this article
35Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

The survival of seven F+RNA phages (MS2 Group I ATCC type strain, two Group I environmental isolates, a Group II environmental isolate, a Group III environmental isolate, and two Group IV environmental isolates) and six F+DNA phages (M13, fd, f1, and ZJ/2 ATCC type strains, and two environmental isolates) were examined in microcosms using a surface drinking water source. Phages were spiked into replicate aliquots of a source water at about 20,000 pfu/ml. Replicate spikes were incubated at 4 and 20° C and monitored for 110 days. At 4°C, Groups I and II F+ RNA phages were detectable through 110 days, with reductions of about 1 and 3 log10, respectively. The Group III F+RNA phage demonstrated 5 log10 reduction after 3 weeks, and the Group IV F+RNA phages were reduced to detection limits (5 log10 reduction) within 10 days. Of the F+DNA phages, all four type strains were detectable with about 2.5 log10 reduction after 110 days at 4°C. The F+DNA environmental isolates were detectable with about a 4 log10 reduction after 110 days at 4° C. All phages demonstrated faster decay at 20°C. These results suggest that differences in F+ phage survival may influence their prevalence in environmental waters and the ability to attribute their prevalence to specific human and animal sources of faecal contamination. © IWA Publishing 2004.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Long, S. C., & Sobsey, M. D. (2004). A comparison of the survival of F+RNA and F+DNA coliphages in lake water microcosms. Journal of Water and Health, 2(1), 15–22. https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2004.0002

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free