Effects of bentonite clay solids on poliovirus concentration from water by microporous filter methods

To determine whether suspended solids interfere with enteric virus recovery from water by microporous filter methods, the effects of bentonite clay solids at a concentration of 10 nephelometric turbidity units on the recovery of poliovirus type 1 from seeded, activated carbon-treated, filtered tap water were studied. Volumes (500 ml) of virus-laden water at pH 5.5 or 7.5, with and without 50 mM MgCl2, were filtered through 47-mm-diameter, electropositive (Virosorb 1MDS) and electronegative (Filterite) filters that had been pretreated with Tween 80 to minimize direct virus adsorption to filter surfaces. Bentonite solids enhanced virus retention on both types of filters, even under conditions in which viruses were not solids associated. However, bentonite solids also interfered with elution of retained viruses when eluting with 0.3% beef extract-50 mM glycine (pH 9.5). Under some conditions, overall virus recoveries were lower from water with bentonite solids than from solids-free control water. The results of this study indicate that clay turbidity can interfere somewhat with virus recovery by current microporous filter methods.