Journal article
Analysis of raw and pre-treated seawater for potential biofouling precursors
C Le Lan, AV Ellis, T Jamieson, AJ Blok, DA Hemraj, L Allais, S Balzano, SC Leterme
Desalination | ELSEVIER | Published : 2015
Abstract
Here, the biofouling precursors of raw and pre-treated seawater from a reverse osmosis (RO) feed tank were investigated using a lab-scale RO cross-flow system. The microbial communities, nutrients and TEP present in both source waters were analyzed using flow cytometry, light microscopy, flow cell injection and colorimetry. All biofilms formed were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and colorimetry. Evaluation of both seawater sources showed (1) low nutrient levels and a high N/P ratio known to provoke a higher TEP production by microbes, (2) the presence of microbes known to be involved in biofouling and transparent exopoly..
View full abstractGrants
Awarded by National Centre of Excellence in Desalination
Funding Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the financial support of the National Centre of Excellence in Desalination Australia which is funded by the Australian Government through the National Urban Water and Desalination Plan (Project 08313). The authors are also grateful to P. Meacham and T. Kirby for their assistance in sampling and G. Ralston and N. Nedelkov for giving us access/coordinating the work required at the Penneshaw desalination plant. The authors Kindly thank Dr. Daniel Jardine and Mr. Jason Young of Flinders Analytical, Dr. Steve Brett of Microalgal Services and C. Macardle and S. Bailay from the Flow Cytometry Unit of the Flinders Medical Centre for providing access to the flow cytometer.