Ciliate fauna, Giardia spp. cysts and Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts in activated sludge from a sewage treatment plant: assessment instruments and process control

• Grant number: 10/16222-4
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: January 01, 2011 - December 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Parasitology
• Principal Investigator: Regina Maura Bueno Franco
• Grantee: Regina Maura Bueno Franco
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: José Roberto Guimarães

Abstract

The use of the microfauna of activated sludge as a valuable tool in assessing the quality of treated sewage has become a growing practice. The analysis and characterization of microfauna, an assessment of resistant forms of pathogenic organisms removal must be considered as another parameter in assessing the performance of sewage treatment plant by activated sludge. In Brazil, most sewage treatment plant is monitored and supervised by physical and chemical analysis. Observation of the microfauna is still a rare instrument and its results are, in most cases, underused. This study aims to characterize and quantify the ciliates present in activated sludge from Piçarrão Sewage Treatment Plant and relate to the removal of Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. as well as physical and chemical parameters. The plant study is notable for the differential system of sewage treatment, which initially involves anaerobic treatment followed by activated sludge. The research of cysts and oocysts is accomplished through direct immunofluorescence and the analysis of ciliated protozoa observations will be made under a stereomicroscope and differential interferential contrast (DIC), enabling identification of organisms in vivo and after silver impregnation. Expected to find a diversity of ciliated protozoa distinct compared to other conventional treatment, and greater efficiency of removal of cysts, oocysts of Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium, respectively. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

VIDAL SIQUEIRA-CASTRO, ISABEL CRISTINA; GREINERT-GOULART, JULIANE ARAUJO; BONATTI, TAIS RONDELLO; YAMASHIRO, SANDRA; BUENO FRANCO, REGINA MAURA. First report of predation of Giardia sp cysts by ciliated protozoa and confirmation of predation of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts by ciliate species. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, v. 23, n. 11, p. 11357-11362, JUN 2016. (10/16222-4)