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Changes in bacterial composition of biofilm in a metropolitan drinking water distribution system
Author(s) -
Revetta R.P.,
GomezAlvarez V.,
Gerke T.L.,
Santo Domingo J.W.,
Ashbolt N.J.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 1364-5072
DOI - 10.1111/jam.13150
Subject(s) - gammaproteobacteria , biofilm , betaproteobacteria , actinobacteria , firmicutes , alphaproteobacteria , biology , proteobacteria , water quality , microbiology and biotechnology , ecology , bacteria , 16s ribosomal rna , genetics
Aims This study examined the development of bacterial biofilms within a metropolitan distribution system. The distribution system is fed with different source water (i.e. groundwater, GW and surface water, SW) and undergoes different treatment processes in separate facilities. Methods and Results The biofilm community was characterized using 16S rRNA gene clone libraries and functional potential analysis, generated from total DNA extracted from coupons in biofilm annular reactors fed with onsite drinking water for up to 18 months. Differences in the bacterial community structure were observed between GW and SW. Representatives that explained the dissimilarity were associated with the classes Betaproteobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria and Firmicutes. After 9 months the biofilm bacterial community from both GW and SW were dominated by Mycobacterium species. The distribution of the dominant operational taxonomic unit (OTU) ( Mycobacterium ) positively correlated with the drinking water distribution system (DWDS) temperature. Conclusions In this study, the biofilm community structure observed between GW and SW were dissimilar, while communities from different locations receiving SW did not show significant differences. The results suggest that source water and/or the water quality shaped by their respective treatment processes may play an important role in shaping the bacterial communities in the distribution system. In addition, several bacterial groups were present in all samples, suggesting that they are an integral part of the core microbiota of this DWDS. Significance and Impact of the Study These results provide an ecological insight into biofilm bacterial structure in chlorine‐treated drinking water influenced by different water sources and their respective treatment processes.