Spatial dynamics of bacterial community in chlorinated drinking water distribution systems supplied with two treatment plants: An integral study of free-living and particle-associated bacteria. (September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bian, Kaiqin; Wang, Chen; Jia, Shuyu; Shi, Peng; Zhang, Huaicheng; Ye, Lin; Zhou, Qing; Li, Aimin
• Is Part Of: Environment international. Volume 154(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-09
• Subjects: Drinking water distribution system -- Bacterial community -- Spatial dynamics -- Intersection region -- High-throughput sequencing; Environmental protection -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Environmental monitoring -- Periodicals; Environmental Monitoring -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Protection -- Périodiques; Hygiène du milieu -- Périodiques; Environnement -- Surveillance -- Périodiques; Environmental health; Environmental monitoring; Environmental protection; Periodicals; 333.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106552
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0160-4120

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Spatial factors exerted significant impacts on the PAB and FLB in the DWDSs. Beta diversity indicated a significant difference between the PAB and FLB. More Pseudomonas were observed in PAB and IR based on 16S rRNA results. Microbial contribution to the PAB and FLB communities declined along transportation. Abstract: With the expansion of cities, the deterioration of drinking water quality undergoing complex and long-distance distribution is gaining increasing attention. However, spatial variations between free-living bacteria (FLB) and particle-associated bacteria (PAB) in chlorinated drinking water distribution systems (DWDSs) have not been fully explored, especially in complex water supply areas with multiple interconnected DWDSs. To fill this gap, this study utilized 16S rRNA approaches to characterize the spatial patterns of FLB and PAB in DWDSs with intersection regions. Based on distance-decay analysis, transportation distance is a potential driver of bacterial variation for both FLB (Pearson's r = −0.476, p < 0.01) and PAB. (Pearson's r = −0.352, p < 0.01). Moreover, the influence of transportation distance was further confirmed by a 1.20–99.45% decline in microbial contribution to the source of FLB and PAB communities in pipe water along the transportation pipelines. Meanwhile, significant difference (PERMANOVA, R 2 = 0.14, p < 0.01) was found between FLB and PAB in DWDSs. Average proportions of Pseudomonas spp. were 59.84% and 45.59% for the PAB and intersection regions based on the 16S rRNA results, respectively, suggesting that PAB are potential reservoirs for high-risk bacteria, and a greater microbial risk may exist in intersection regions. In summary, transportation distance and pipeline intersection exerted significant impacts on the FLB and PAB in DWDSs. Therefore, precautionary strategies for controlling microbial risks that consider different microbial components and intersection regions in long-distance and multi-plant DWDSs should be implemented.