Role of organic matter and clay fraction on migration of Escherichia coli cells through pyroclastic soils, southern Italy

A comparative study on the adsorption of Escherichia coli cells to two different pyroclastic soils collected in southern Italy (carbonate Apennines) was performed in laboratory using surfactant-free solutions and solutions with the surfactants sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS, anionic) and octylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol (Triton X-100, non-ionic). Both soils are rich in organic matter (up to 35%), but only one contains a clay fraction (2–5%). The experiments demonstrated that E. coli cells are significantly adsorbed to the clay fraction of the soil, while the organic matter content does not play a significant role. The pore size exclusion phenomenon is another factor to consider when analyzing the retention of E. coli cells within such soils. However, despite the existence of different factors that enhance bacterial cells retention, a high percent of E. coli cells is transported through soil media. The not absolute protection of such soils against microbial pollution is supported not only by the results of the column experiments at lab scale, but also by the findings of a field monitoring at site scale.