CAREER: Impact of Biofilms on the Fate and Transport of Cryptosporidium spp. Oocysts in Open Channel and Porous Media Flow

Lehigh University, Bethlehem PA

Investigators

Abstract

Jellison 0545687 The proposed work will investigate how Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts interact with biofilms, under various environmental conditions in both open channel and porous media flow, and how these interactions impact oocyst transport and infectivity. Controlled laboratory experiments will be performed in flow channel and packed bed reactors to identify important physical, chemical, and biological aspects of oocyst transport in environments where biofilms are present. Scanning confocal laser microscopy will be used to nondestructively monitor biofilm growth in flow channels, and the spatial distribution of oocysts within these biofilms will be analyzed with fluorescent in situ hybridization. Suspended and biofilm-associated oocysts will be assessed for viability by DAPI/PI staining and infectivity by in vitro cell culture. Laboratory experiments will investigate the protection afforded to oocysts by biofilms, the impact of oocyst surface charge and hydrophobicity on biofilm attachment, and differences between C. parvum and C. muris oocyst interactions with biofilms. Broader Impacts. Protection of public health, both locally and globally, will result from the laboratory studies, PWD field study, and EWB activities. While the immediate beneficiaries of the biofilm field work are local PWD customers, the research findings can be applied to a variety of watersheds and biofilm systems, extending the impact of this work to almost any water treatment system, recreational water supply, or groundwater aquifer. Furthermore, an awareness of global water and health issues will be promoted among the Lehigh community, local middle school students, and the general public. The multidisciplinary EWB projects will provide a model for international education that can be emulated by other universities to increase the number of internationally-responsible U.S. engineering students with hands-on experience in the developing world. Components of EWB projects will be incorporated into university curriculum as well as course material in a local middle school serving an underrepresented, economically depressed population. Middle school students will engage in (i) hands-on laboratory and field activities in water quality and treatment, (ii) discussions about global citizenship from the perspective of various academic disciplines, and (iii) cultural exchanges with student peers in Honduras. Elementary and high school students in Honduras will also benefit from lessons in safe water and sanitation, as well as cultural exchanges with student peers in the U.S. Findings from the proposed work will be broadly disseminated to the scientific community, as well as the general public, through news releases, seminars, technical journal papers, and professional conference presentations.