ENVR 87 |
| In membrane separation processes, biological contaminants (biofouling) and organic and inorganic materials can accumulate collectively on the membrane surface leading to significant reduction in water production. To understand the biofouling issue, we have examined the community structure of bacterial populations found in biofilms on microfiltration and reverse osmosis membranes using culture-independent molecular techniques and bacterial cultivation. Possible reasons for the ecological successes of particular groups of bacteria in the membrane biofilm community were examined in terms of metabolic characteristics as well as biofilm formation potential (e.g., motility, hydrophobicity, cell-surface charge, ability to produce exopolysaccharides). It was observed that organic carbon limitation strategies did not eliminate biofilms, but led to the selection of distinct bacterial populations. This has important implications for biofilm monitoring in membrane processes, where organic carbon measurements are often taken as surrogates to estimate biofilm formation. Furthermore, the efficacy of alternative biofilm control strategies was investigated and discussed. |
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Membrane Technology for Water Treatment and Reuse
1:30 PM-5:10 PM, Monday, April 7, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Rm. 237, Oral
Division of Environmental Chemistry |