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<UL> <LI> To test the applicability of bacteriophage as surrogates for viral pathogen transport in UK sandstone aquifers.
<LI> To produce a database tool to that can be used in environmental management policy planning and future emergency situation responses by allowing quick hypothesis-testing of phage transport properties and behaviour in the subsurface to allow inferences be drawn with the virus of interest
Progress: A programme of field experiments have been carried out by injecting a range of bacteriophage into a triassic sandstone aquifer. Observations of phage recovery (viable counts) versus inorganic and organic tracer compounds have been made. <P>
A draft database of phage properties and comparison with potential viral pathogen properties has been completed with reference to common UK geologies.
<P>