EFFECT OF THE COMMON CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS ON UPTAKE OF P-32 IN COPRECIPITATION TECHNIQUE FOR ASCERTAINING BACTERIAL QUALITY OF WATER

Abstract

This dissertation presents the results of investigation pursued to estimate the effect of controlled changes in chemical quality of water on uptake of radioactive phosphorous-32. The study contributes its findings to the research on development of a rapid test for enumerating water bacteria. It has been shown that the presence of chemicals in samples subjected to radioactive test reduce the uptake of P-32 by bacterial cells. The average magnitude of reduction has been found to be about 15 counts/min (added 2-32 being 0.5 I-Lc/sample) per 100 ppm increase in the concentration of the chemical in substrate. A method of minimizing the effect exerted by chemicals has also been developed.