Survival of enteroviruses and coliform bacteria in a sludge lagoon

Abstract

Enteroviruses associate with aerobically and anaerobically digested sludge were determined before the addition of the sludge to a sludge lagoon. The fate of sludge-associated viruses was followed during detention of sludge in the lagoon and after application of sludge to land for disposal. While digested sludge was being added to the lagoon, enteroviruses were readily detected in grab samples of sludge from the lagoon. Sludge-associated viruses dropped to low or undetectable levels after disposal of sludge on land and during periods when addition of digested sludge to the lagoon was suspended. Changes in the levels of fecal coliforms in the lagooned sludge paralleled changes in the numbers of enteroviruses. Enteroviruses were not detected in water from deep wells located on the sludge disposal site or near the lagoon. During the initial part of the study, poliovirus serotypes accounted for greater than 90% of the viruses identified. Later, poliovirus serotypes comprised less than 40% of the virus isolates, and echoviruses and Coxsackieviruses were the most common enteroviruses identified.