This study evaluated various water purification methods for removing E. coli, including chlorine dioxide, iodine, activated carbon, saris cloth, and a control with no treatment. Chlorine dioxide and iodine were the most effective at reducing E. coli levels based on heterotrophic plate count quantification, with chlorine dioxide being the most economical option. ATP bioluminescence was also found to be an effective method for detecting E. coli in contaminated water. Further research is needed on the duration of purification for different treatment methods.

1. Quantification of Escherichia coli
in Purified Water
Using ATP Bioluminescence, Vibrio fischeri, and
Heterotrophic Plate Count
Photos taken by student
Megan Rosenberger

2. Every year, more than 3.4 million people
die as a result of water related diseases
mainly caused by raw sewage
contamination: Escherichia coli.
Africa Development Project
Carolina Biological

3. Chlorine Dioxide Iodine
Saris Activated Carbon

4. Vibrio fischeri Scale
Acceptable
Purify Water Source Again NOT Drinkable

5. Chlorine Dioxide
Potable Aqua
Purifies via oxidation and penetrates bacterial cell
walls, killing the organism.
The purification takes four hours.

6. Iodine
Potable Aqua
Release the iodine bound in the
tetraglycine hydroperiodide molecule
and penetrates the cell wall of the
microorganism, rendering it inactive.

7. Saris
Africa Development Project
Can filter particles 0.2-1.0 μm
No research for these claims concerning E. coli

8. Activated Carbon
Word
Press
Has not been widely tested against E. coli

9. Vibrio fischeri
Carolina Biological

11. Correlation of HPC with E. coli and
ATP, Vibrio fischeri

12. Purpose
The purpose of my research is to determine which
suggested and most economic water purification
methods are most effective in removing TOP10
Escherichia coli from water, as well as to determine
whether the quantification of the E. coli can be
observed using an ATP bioluminescence, Vibrio
fischeri.
Carolina Biological

13. Hypothesis
It is hypothesized that chlorine
dioxide will perform the best
because it has shown to be
effective against Cholera bacteria,
which is similar to E. coli.

14. Research Institution
Center for Environmental Research and Education
at Duquesne University
Biosafety Level 2 Lab

16. Chlorine Dioxide
For each 1mL of ultrapure water vial
prepared for chlorine dioxide, 2µL of the
dissolved solution was added.
Photo taken by sponsor

17. Iodine
For each 1mL of ultrapure water vial prepared for
iodine, 1µL of the dissolved solution was added.
Photo taken by student

18. Activated Carbon
Fifteen to twenty granules of activated carbon were
added to each 1mL ultrapure water vial prepared.
Photo taken by sponsor

19. Saris
Using a syringe (without needle), 1mL was extracted from
the vial and while holding one layer of the saris over the
syringe, it was released and spewed into the plate.
Photo taken by sponsor

20. The quantification of the Vibrio fischeri
was successful in detecting E. coli. All
plates that were not inoculated with
TOP10 did emit light. However, all
plates with the E. coli did not emit
light.
Photo taken by student

21. Heterotrophic Plate Count Method Quantification
Chlorine Dioxide Saris
4.9 1715.0
Activated Carbon Control
Iodine 715.5
1.5
2675.9
cfu/ml

22. Chlorine Dioxide Iodine
Saris Activated Carbon

23. 0.5
Price/unit (cents) 0.45
0.4
0.35
0.3
0.25
0.2
0.15
0.1
0.05
0
Iodine Chlorine Activated Cloth
Carbon
Purification

24. Conclusion
This study demonstrates that ATP
bioluminescence is an effective and expedient
method for detecting E. coli in contaminated
water. In correlation with HPC methods, it can
be concluded that chlorine and iodine were
both significantly more effective in filtering E.
coli than the carbon, cloth, and control.

25. Future Investigation
For future investigation, additional research
should be made regarding the duration of
purification.
Carolina Biological

26. Works Cited
SDI-Strategic Diagnostic, Inc. 2011. Luminescent Bacteria About Vibrio
fischeri. Retrieved on 2011 From SDIX. Website: sdix.com.
Hunter, Paul R.. 2003. Drinking Water and Diarrhoeal disease due to
Escherichia coli. Journal of Water and Health. 01.2: 65-72.
WHO-World Health Organization. 2011. Rainwater Harvesting. Retrieved on
9/11/11. From WHO. Website: who.int.
Flinn Scientific, INC. Online Catalog. 2011. Bacterial Cultures, Vibrio fischeri.
Retrieved on 9/12/11. From Flinn. Website flinnsci.com.
Bartram, J., J. Cotruvo, M. Exner, C. Fricker, A. Glasmacher. Report. 2003.
Heterotrophic Plate Counts and Drinking-Water Safety: The Significance of
HPCs for Water Quality and Human Health.

27. Acknowledgements
Dr. John Stolz, Director
Center for Environmental Research and Education at
Duquesne University
Lucas Eastham
Duquesne University
Mrs. Catherine Greco
High School Sponsor
Mr. Bob Wesolowski
Statistics Teacher
My Parents