Inactivation of viruses by digested sludge components

A study was conducted to determine rates of inactivation of three enteroviruses seeded into anaerobically digested sludge supernatant. Ammonia, a major chemical component of sludge, also was evaluated at various concentrations for its effect on virus infectivity. Data indicated that virus inactivation rates varied in proportion to temperature over a range of 20° to 35°C and that sludge supernatant had a greater impact on virus reduction than control Medium 199. In addition, the rate of Poliovirus 1 inactivation was increased in proportion to the concentration of ammonia over the range of 50 to 1 500 mg/l. Antibiotics added to sludge supernatants did not affect virus inactivation rates.