![[logo] US EPA](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090513113619im_/http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Microbial Response to Chlorination for Resistant Organisms
Disinfection is crucial to water system security, providing the “front line” of defense against biological contamination. Normal filtration and disinfection processes would dampen or remove the threats posed by a number of potential bacterial contaminants. Some potentially dangerous microorganisms are to some degree resistant to chlorination levels found in drinking water. This study will look at three different strains of Francisella which have varying responses to chlorination. Several levels and different lengths of exposure to chlorination will be used during this study. Changes in the cellular membrane fatty acid composition and changes in total cellular fatty acid composition will be examined for these exposures. It has been shown that bacteria can change their cellular membrane fatty acid composition in response to environmental conditions in order to maintain membrane fluidity. Looking at how these organisms change their fatty acid composition may give insight into why some organisms are resistant to chlorination.
Contact: Ronald Herrmann, 513/569-7741;Gene Rice, 513/569-7204 (EIMS#116480)