Drinking Water Microflora Biofilms and Chlorine Susceptibility
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University of Calgary PRISM: University of Calgary's Digital Repository Graduate Studies The Vault: Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2012-07-19 Drinking water microflora biofilms and chlorine susceptibility Schwering, Monika C. Schwering, M. C. (2012). Drinking water microflora biofilms and chlorine susceptibility (Unpublished master's thesis). University of Calgary, Calgary, AB. doi:10.11575/PRISM/25749 http://hdl.handle.net/11023/128 master thesis University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission. Downloaded from PRISM: https://prism.ucalgary.ca UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY Drinking water microflora biofilms and chlorine susceptibility by Monika C. Schwering A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE CALGARY, ALBERTA JULY, 2012 © Monika C. Schwering 2012 UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES The undersigned certify that they have read, and recommend to the Faculty of Graduate Studies for acceptance, a thesis entitled "Drinking Water Microflora Biofilms and Chlorine Susceptibility" submitted by Monika C. Schwering in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Science. Supervisor, Dr. Howard Ceri, Department of Biological Sciences Interim Supervisor, Dr. Raymond J. Turner, Department of Biological Sciences Dr, Lisa M. Gieg, Department of Biological Sciences Dr. Marie Louie, Departments of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases and Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Dr. Glen D. Armstrong, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases Date ii Abstract Waterborne disease outbreaks are especially dangerous in immunocompromised individuals and can be caused by biofilm formation in water systems. The aim of this work was to collect a group of environmental isolates, including opportunistic pathogens, from treated water systems with the purpose of creating a model drinking water system biofilm. This model biofilm would be used to explore the resistance of biofilms to chlorine at levels typical of a water distribution system. Isolates for the model biofilm were collected from Calgary and Ontario, sequenced and then as single and multi-species biofilms exposed to chlorine. The resistance, biofilm structure and microbial community were examined. It was found that biofilm organisms are consistently more resistant than planktonic and that multi-species biofilms even more so. Little change was seen in biofilm communities after treatment. The 3D structure of the biofilm appeared to have a role in resistance by limiting diffusion and protecting inner cells. iii Acknowledgements I would first of all like to thank my supervisors, Dr. Howard Ceri and Dr. Ray Turner. I really appreciate the guidance you both have given me over the past few years. Your support and belief in me has meant a lot during this project. I would also like to thank my committee members, Dr. Marie Louie and Dr. Lisa Gieg, you have both encouraged me and provided unique perspectives on my project that have helped me to get the most out of my research and my time at the U of C. I would also like to thank Rhonda Schop of the Ontario MoE. Working with you gave me a real appreciation for the importance of this research start on the path to where I am today. Secondly I would like to acknowledge the members of the Ceri lab and the Biofilm Research Group for their help and friendship. Carol Stremick for your help with so many things in the lab; my summer students, Joanna Song and Jessica Leong, you were invaluable; Suzie Golby for proofreading and SEM help; Sean Booth for your help as a sounding board for ideas; and to all my other lab members: Michelle Stan, Lisa Bieuker, Mark Stanton, Kim Whilloughby and Marc Demeter for making some of the long days in the lab more fun. Finally I would like to thank those people in my life who have helped me in this project in a less technical, but no less important, way. First of all my wonderful parents Frances and Rob Schwering and my brilliant sister Taralyn for all your love and encouragement; my good friend Jessica Phillips for the long distance support and laughs; and to my wonderful extended family, both back home in Toronto and the family that welcomed me as one of their own here in Calgary. To everyone, thank you all so much, I would never have been able to accomplish what I have without you. iv Table of Contents Approval Page..................................................................................................................... ii Abstract.............................................................................................................................. iii Acknowledgements............................................................................................................ iv Table of Contents.................................................................................................................v List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... ix List of Figures and Illustrations .......................................................................................... x List of Symbols, Abbreviations and Nomenclature.......................................................... xii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION..................................................................................1 1.1 Introduction................................................................................................................1 1.1.1 Hypothesis .........................................................................................................5 1.1.2 Project objective and aims.................................................................................5 1.2 Drinking water systems: treatment and monitoring...................................................6 1.2.1 Source water and the multi-barrier approach to water safety............................6 1.2.2 Primary treatment ..............................................................................................9 1.2.2.1 UV disinfection......................................................................................10 1.2.2.2 Disinfection by-products........................................................................11 1.2.3 Distribution systems and secondary disinfection ............................................12 1.2.4 Water quality monitoring ................................................................................13 1.3 Bacterial biofilms.....................................................................................................14 1.3.1 Biofilm formation............................................................................................15 1.3.2 Phenotypic variation between biofilm and planktonic cells............................16 1.3.3 Bacterial advantages of biofilm growth ..........................................................17 1.4 Biofilm growth in water systems.............................................................................18 1.4.1 The distribution system environment ..............................................................19 1.4.2 Disinfectant effects on planktonic and biofilm bacteria..................................21 1.5 Drinking water microflora .......................................................................................23 1.5.1 Drinking water distribution system native flora..............................................23 1.5.2 Pathogenic organisms in drinking water .........................................................24 1.5.2.1 Indicator organisms: Escherichia coli and Total Coliforms..................26 1.5.2.2 Pseudomonas aeruginosa ......................................................................28 1.5.2.3 Stenotrophomonas maltophilia ..............................................................29 1.5.2.4 Legionella pneumophila ........................................................................29 1.5.3 Eukaryotic distribution system organisms.......................................................30 CHAPTER TWO: MATERIALS AND METHODS ........................................................32 2.1 Media .......................................................................................................................32 2.1.1 Growth media ..................................................................................................32 2.1.2 Selective and differential media ......................................................................33 2.2 Collection of bacterial isolates from drinking water ...............................................34 2.2.1 Samples provided by laboratories ...................................................................35 2.2.1.1 Infection Prevention and Control Laboratory........................................35 2.2.1.2 Provincial Laboratory for Public Health, (ProvLab), Calgary, AB.......35 v 2.2.2 Collection of samples for new isolates............................................................36 2.2.2.1 Ontario water systems............................................................................36 2.2.2.2 University of Calgary Biological Sciences