Open AccessEstablishment and early succession of bacterial communities in monochloramine‐treated drinking water biofilms
Author(s) -
Revetta Randy P.,
GomezAlvarez Vicente,
Gerke Tammie L.,
Curioso Claudine,
Santo Domingo Jorge W.,
Ashbolt Nicholas J.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
fems microbiology ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.377
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1574-6941
pISSN - 0168-6496
DOI - 10.1111/1574-6941.12170
Subject(s) - biofilm , actinobacteria , biology , nitrospira , microbiology and biotechnology , proteobacteria , bacteroidetes , bacteria , nitrification , chloramine , disinfectant , library , 16s ribosomal rna , chlorine , chemistry , genetics , organic chemistry , nitrogen
Monochloramine is an increasingly used drinking water disinfectant and has been shown to increase nitrifying bacteria and mycobacteria in drinking waters. The potential successions and development of these bacteria were examined by 16S rRNA gene clone libraries generated from various biofilms within a water distribution system simulator. Biofilms were obtained from in‐line and off‐line devices using borosilicate glass beads, along with polycarbonate coupons from annular reactors incubated for up to 8 months in monochloramine‐treated drinking water. No significant difference in community structures was observed between biofilm devices and coupon material; however, all biofilm communities that developed on different devices underwent similar successions over time. Early stages of biofilm formation were dominated by S erratia (29%), C loacibacterium (23%), D iaphorobacter (16%), and P seudomonas (7%), while M ycobacterium ‐like phylotypes were the most predominant populations (> 27%) in subsequent months. The development of members of the nontuberculous mycobacteria ( NTM ) after 3 months may impact individuals with predisposing conditions, while nitrifiers (related to N itrospira moscoviensis and N itrosospira multiformis ) could impact water quality. Overall, 90% of the diversity in all the clone library samples was associated with the phyla P roteobacteria , A ctinobacteria , and B acteroidetes . These results provide an ecological insight into biofilm bacterial successions in monochloramine‐treated drinking water.