Bacterivory by a chrysophyte in slow sand filters

Bacterivory previously was shown to be responsible for significant removal of bacteria in slow sand filters. This research was designed to identify the responsible bacterivores and to evaluate their ability to remove a significant fraction of bacteria. A small (3-μm diameter) chrysophyte was isolated from slow sand filter effluent. The ability of a pure culture of the chrysophyte to rapidly ripen a slow sand filter was demonstrated.