Title: The effect of electrolysis and oxidation–reduction potential on microbial survival, growth, and disinfection

Authors: David Eugene Kimbrough, Yao Kouame, Parvaneh Moheban, Susan Springthorpe

Addresses: Castaic Lake Water Agency, 27234 Bouquet Canyon Road, V 661.297.1600x223, F 661.297.0414, Santa Clarita, CA 91350, USA. ' Castaic Lake Water Agency, 27234 Bouquet Canyon Road, V 661.297.1600x223, F 661.297.0414, Santa Clarita, CA 91350, USA ' Castaic Lake Water Agency, 27234 Bouquet Canyon Road, V 661.297.1600x223, F 661.297.0414, Santa Clarita, CA 91350, USA. ' Centre for Research on Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ont. K1H 8M, Canada

Abstract: A study of the effects of changes in oxidation–reduction potential (ORP) in synthetic waters on bacterial growth is presented. In this study, ORP is altered by electrolysis, as opposed to the traditional use of oxidising chemicals. As synthetic halide-free water was used no oxidised halide species such as chlorine or bromine were formed. Bacterial survival was directly correlated with changes in ORP for heterotrophic plate count bacteria.

Keywords: oxidation reduction potential; bacterial growth; electrolysis; NADH; microbial survival; microbial growth; disinfection; synthetic waters; oxidising chemicals; halide-free water; heterotrophic plate count bacteria; water treatment.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2006.010464

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2006 Vol.27 No.1/2/3, pp.211 - 221

Published online: 24 Jul 2006 *

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