Deposition and survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on clay minerals in a parallel plate flow system.

Understanding bacterial pathogens deposition and survival processes in the soil-groundwater system is crucial to protect public health from soilborne and waterborne diseases. However, mechanisms of bacterial pathogen-clay interactions are not well studied, particularly in dynamic systems. Also, little is known about the viability of bacterial pathogens when attached to clays. In this study, a parallel plate flow system was used to determine the deposition kinetics and survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on montmorillonite, kaolinite, and goethite over a wide range of ionic strengths (IS) (0.1-100 mM KCl). E. coli O157:H7 deposition on the positively charged goethite is greater than that on the negatively charged kaolinite and montmorillonite. Although the zeta potential of kaolinite was more negative than that of montmorillonite, kaolinite showed a greater deposition for E. coli O157:H7 than montmorillonite, which is attributed to the chemical heterogeneity of clay minerals. Overall, increasing IS resulted in an increase of E. coli O157:H7 deposition on montmorillonite and kaolinite, and a decrease on goethite. Interaction energy calculations suggest that E. coli O157:H7 deposition on clays was largely governed by DLVO (Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek) forces. The loss of bacterial membrane integrity was investigated as a function of time using the Live/Dead BacLight viability assay. During the examined period of 6 h, E. coli O157:H7 retained its viability in suspension and when attached to montmorillonite and kaolinite; however, interaction with the goethite was detrimental. The information obtained in this study is of fundamental significance for the understanding of the fate of bacterial pathogens in soil environments.