Inactivation of bacteriophages MS-2 and PRD1 and poliovirus type 1 in Pima Clay Loam and Brazito Sandy Loam soils amended with anaerobically digested sewage sludge

Inactivation of bacteriophages MS-2 and PRD1, and poliovirus type 1 were measured in Pima Clay Loam and Brazito Sandy Loam soils amended with anaerobically digested sewage sludge. Inactivation was determined at 15°C, 27°C, and 40°C with soils maintained at 30% moisture, and amended soils exposed to evaporation. No inactivation of PRD1 was observed within 30 days and 16 days at 15°C and 27°C respectively with little inactivation after 7 days at 40°C. Inactivation of MS-2 and poliovirus was approximately 2 fold greater at 27°C compared to 16°C. At 40°C neither virus was recovered 24 hours after sludge amendment. Evaporation to less than 5% soil moisture resulted in rapid loss of titer for all three viruses regardless of temperature. Survival of MS-2 and poliovirus 1 in sludge amended fields (15°C) was longer than comparable laboratory studies. None of the viruses were recovered in fields amended during the summer (33°C) after 7 days. A method was also developed to remove cell culture toxic components from these soils