W. B. Cooke

Bio: W. B. Cooke is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Sewage farm & Sewage treatment. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 56 citations.

Effect of temperature on bacterial species diversity in thermophilic solid-waste composting

Abstract: Continuously thermophilic composting was examined with a 4.5-liter reactor placed in an incubator maintained at representative temperatures. Feed was a mixture of dried table scraps and shredded newspaper wetted to 55% moisture. One run at 49 degrees C (run A) employed a 1:4 feed-to-compost ratio, while the other runs used a 10:1 ratio and were incubated at 50, 55, 60, or 65 degrees C. Due to self-heating, internal temperatures of the composting mass were 0 to 7 degrees C hotter than the incubator. Two full-scale composting plants (at Altoona, Pa., and Leicester, England) were also examined. Plate counts per gram (dry weight) on Trypticase soy broth (BBL Microbiology Systems) with 2% agar ranged from 0.7 X 10(9) to 5.3 X 10(9) for laboratory composting and 0.02 X 10(9) to 7.4 X 10(9) for field composting. Fifteen taxa were isolated, including 10 of genus Bacillus, which dominated all samples except that from run A. Species diversity decreased markedly in laboratory composting at 60 degrees C and above, but was similar for the three runs incubated at 49, 50, and 55 degrees C. The maximum desirable composting temperature based on species diversity is thus 60 degrees C, the same as that previously recommended based on measures of the rate of decomposition.

Biological Field And Laboratory Methods For Measuring The Quality Of Surface Waters And Effluents

Abstract: The role of aquatic biology in the water pollution control program of the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency includes field and laboratory studies carried out to establish water quality criteria for the recognized beneficial uses of water resources and to monitor water quality. Field studies are employed to: measure the toxicity of specific pollutants or effluents to individual species or communities of aquatic organisms under natural conditions; detect violations of water quality standards ; evaluate the trophic status of waters ; and determine long-term trends in water quality. Laboratory studies are employed to : measure the effects of known or potentially deleterious substances on aquatic organisms to estimate “safe” concentrations ; and determine environmental requirements (such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, etc.) of the more important and sensitive species of aquatic organisms. Field surveys and water quality monitoring are conducted principally by the regional surveillance and analysis and national enforcement programs. Laboratory studies of water quality requirements, toxicity testing, and methods development are conducted principally by the national research programs.

Identification of thermophilic bacteria in solid-waste composting.

Abstract: The thermophilic microbiota of solid-waste composting, with major emphasis on Bacillus spp, was examined with Trypticase soy broth (BBL Microbiology Systems) with 2% agar as the initial plating medium Five 45-liter laboratory units at 49 to 69 degrees C were fed a mixture of dried table scraps and shredded newspaper The composting plants treating refuse at Altoona, Pa, and refuse-sludge at Leicester, England, were also sampled Of 652 randomly picked colonies, 87% were identified as Bacillus spp Other isolates included two genera of unidentified nonsporeforming bacteria (one of gram-negative small rods and the other of gram-variable coccobacilli), the actinomycetes Streptomyces spp and Thermoactinomyces sp, and the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus Among the Bacillus isolates, the following, in order of decreasing frequency, were observed: B circulans complex, B stearothermophilus, B coagulans types A and B, B licheniformis, B brevis, B sphaericus, Bacillus spp types i and ii, and B subtilis About 15% of the Bacillus isolates could be assigned to species only by allowing for greater variability in one or more characteristics than has been reported by other authors for their strains In particular, growth at higher temperatures than previously reported was found for strains of several species A small number of Bacillus isolates (less than 2%) could not be assigned to any recognized species