Manganese oxidation and bacterial diversity on different filter media coatings during the start-up of drinking water biofilters

Abstract

Manganese removal is a typical concern in drinking water production. Biofiltration may be used when treating groundwater sources but the onset of manganese removal in virgin biofilters can vary considerably. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different filter media on manganese oxidation and bacterial diversity in biofilters during the start-up. The onset of manganese oxidation in four virgin granular filter media (quartz, calcium carbonate, polystyrene, and manganese oxide) and one matured medium (quartz) was followed during the start-up. Immediate manganese removal was achieved by manganese oxide, while 48, 57 and 72 days were required by virgin quartz, calcium carbonate and polystyrene, respectively. The bacterial community was investigated using DAPI staining, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing, and bacterial enrichments. Bacterial abundance was greatest on polystyrene and matured quartz. Molecular community analysis and bacterial enrichments suggested the presence of manganese oxidizing bacteria on all media coatings after the start-up period. Virgin quartz and calcium carbonate showed similar bacterial communities whereas manganese oxide and polystyrene were distinct. This investigation suggests that when inoculating different filter media with an identical water source, the bacterial diversity and onset of manganese oxidation during start-up is strongly influenced by the filter media type.

Exposure to Manganese in Drinking Water during Childhood and Association with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Nationwide Cohort Study

“…Depending on water flow rates, groundwater chemistry, filter media replacements, or start-ups of bio-coating, removal may suddenly become insufficient. Such sudden treatment breakdowns result in sharp increases of Mn in the drinking water, which may remain elevated for several months, before efficient Mn removal is reestablished ( Breda et al. 2017 ; Bruins et al.…”

“…Our study adds to the body of evidence suggesting an association between elevated Mn in drinking water and negative health outcomes in children at comparatively low levels. Waterworks in Denmark are typically efficient at removing Mn to levels , and techniques exist to mitigate Mn peaks in drinking water or minimize their durations after episodes of filter malfunctioning ( Breda et al. 2017 ; Bruins et al.…”

Microbiomes in a manganese oxide producing ecosystem in the Ytterby mine, Sweden: impact on metal mobility

“…It becomes increasingly clear that the capability of mediating Mn-oxidation is widespread among diverse groups of bacteria and fungi and occurs in a variety of settings such as soil (Bromfield and Skerman 1950 ; van Veen 1973 ), freshwater pipelines (Tyler and Marshall 1967 ; Caspi, Tebo and Haygood 1998 ), drinking water systems (Breda, Ramsay and Roslev 2017 ; Marcus et al . 2017 ), freshwater environments (Okazaki et al .…”

Start-Up of a Biofilter in a Full-Scale Groundwater Treatment Plant for Iron and Manganese Removal

“…Therefore, almost no time is needed for the start-up of a water treatment plant for iron and manganese removal adopting the abiotic oxidation process. For the plants adopting the biotic oxidation process, 1–2 months or even more time is needed for the maturation of the biofilter [ 16 , 17 ] because time is needed for the attachment of inoculated bacteria to the filter media, and time is needed for the acclimation and enrichment of functional bacteria.…”