ABSTRACT
Solids found in natural waters are clays, fecal material of human and animal origin, and biological life forms such as bacteria, algae, and protozoa. This chapter analyses the information on the nature and extent of enterovirus association with solids in different types of waters and their survival, infectivity, and transport from polluted to nonpolluted waters. Human enteric viruses transmitted by water or food have emanated from human intestines, where they are either embedded in or adsorbed on fecal solids. Association of viruses with solids during sewage treatment is considered very useful because virus levels in the effluent are reduced. Virus association with suspended solids in natural waters affects the efficiency of virus recovery from waters. Viruses adsorb effectively on clays as well as on solids collected from natural waters in laboratory studies. Inorganic suspended solids allow greater adsorption of viruses when compared to volatile solids consisting of biological material.
