Biofouling control by phosphorus limitation strongly depends on the assimilable organic carbon concentration

Javier, Luisa; Farhat, Nadia; Desmond, Peter; Linares, Rodrigo Valladares; Bucs, Szilárd; Kruithof, Joop C.; Vrouwenvelder, Johannes S.

doi:10.1016/j.watres.2020.116051

Cited by 31 publications

(26 citation statements)

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“…In seawater, AOC accounts for 30% of low molecular weight compounds of DOC, which played a significant role in biofouling by enhancing microbial growth and thus boosted the production of soluble microbial products (SMPs) and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) (Yin, et al, 2020). As reported for bacterial growth in seawater, the assimilable organic carbon content ranges from about 50 to 400 µgC/L (Javier, et al, 2020). However, biofouling may develop with an AOC of < 10 µgC/L (Vrouwenvelder and Van der Kooij, 2001).…”

Section: Assimilable Organic Carbon (Aoc)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Organic and biological fouling

Kim¹,

Alayande²,

Nguyen³

2021

Seawater Reverse Osmosis Desalination: Assessment and Pre-Treatment of Fouling and Scaling

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Section: Assimilable Organic Carbon (Aoc)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Organic and biological fouling

Kim¹,

Alayande²,

Nguyen³

2021

Seawater Reverse Osmosis Desalination: Assessment and Pre-Treatment of Fouling and Scaling

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“…C:N ratios appear to vary slightly in time even after the growth rate increases. However, a minor change in phosphorus concentration in the feed water impacts the growth of microorganisms [7][8][9]. One of the strategies proposed for biofouling control is manipulating the feed water nutrient composition [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The limitation of phosphorus in the feed water has been suggested as an approach for biofouling control [11][12][13]. Previously it was demonstrated that even at extremely low phosphorus concentrations in the feed water (≤0.3 µg PO 4 -P•L −1 ) at high assimilable organic carbon concentration, an adverse effect on the feed channel pressure drop was observed, as bacteria increased the production of EPS [9]. This finding suggests that certain bacterial families outcompete and adapt to phosphorus-limiting conditions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phosphorus Concentration in Water Affects the Biofilm Community and the Produced Amount of Extracellular Polymeric Substances in Reverse Osmosis Membrane Systems

Javier

Pulido-Beltran

Kruithof³

et al. 2021

Membranes

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Biofouling is a problem that hinders sustainable membrane-based desalination and the stratification of bacterial populations over the biofilm’s height is suggested to compromise the efficiency of cleaning strategies. Some studies reported a base biofilm layer attached to the membrane that is harder to remove. Previous research suggested limiting the concentration of phosphorus in the feed water as a biofouling control strategy. However, the existence of bacterial communities growing under phosphorus-limiting conditions and communities remaining after cleaning is unknown. This study analyzes the bacterial communities developed in biofilms grown in membrane fouling simulators (MFSs) supplied with water with three dosed phosphorus conditions at a constant biodegradable carbon concentration. After biofilm development, biofilm was removed using forward flushing (an easy-to-implement and environmentally friendly method) by increasing the crossflow velocity for one hour. We demonstrate that small changes in phosphorus concentration in the feed water led to (i) different microbial compositions and (ii) different bacterial-cells-to-EPS ratios, while (iii) similar bacterial biofilm populations remained after forward flushing, suggesting a homogenous bacterial community composition along the biofilm height. This study represents an exciting advance towards greener desalination by applying non-expensive physical cleaning methods while manipulating feed water nutrient conditions to prolong membrane system performance and enhance membrane cleanability.

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“…The feed water quality of an RO installation can influence the EPS production ( Desmond et al, 2018 ). Phosphate limitation with biodegradable organic compounds in RO feed water can (compared to higher phosphate concentrations) lead to a higher production of EPS, rapid surface coverage with EPS, and accelerating the increase in feed channel pressure drop ( Javier et al, 2020 ). Phosphate concentration in pretreated RO feed water is typically low ( Vrouwenvelder et al, 2010 ; Javier et al, 2020 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Phosphate limitation with biodegradable organic compounds in RO feed water can (compared to higher phosphate concentrations) lead to a higher production of EPS, rapid surface coverage with EPS, and accelerating the increase in feed channel pressure drop ( Javier et al, 2020 ). Phosphate concentration in pretreated RO feed water is typically low ( Vrouwenvelder et al, 2010 ; Javier et al, 2020 ). For cooling towers fed with phosphate limited water biofilm formation was found, and a higher volume of organic matter per unit of active biomass was compared to no phosphate limited feed water ( Pinel et al, 2020 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physicochemical Properties of Extracellular Polymeric Substances Produced by Three Bacterial Isolates From Biofouled Reverse Osmosis Membranes

2021

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This work describes the chemical composition of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) produced by three bacteria (RO1, RO2, and RO3) isolated from a biofouled reverse osmosis (RO) membrane. We isolated pure cultures of three bacterial strains from a 7-year-old biofouled RO module that was used in a full-scale seawater treatment plant. All the bacterial strains showed similar growth rates, biofilm formation, and produced similar quantities of proteins and polysaccharides. The gel permeation chromatography showed that the EPS produced by all the strains has a high molecular weight; however, the EPS produced by strains RO1 and RO3 showed the highest molecular weight. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H NMR), and Carbon NMR (13C NMR) were used for a detailed characterization of the EPS. These physicochemical analyses allowed us to identify features of EPS that are important for biofilm formation. FTIR analysis indicated the presence of α-1,4 glycosidic linkages (920 cm–1) and amide II (1,550 cm–1) in the EPS, the presence of which has been correlated with the fouling potential of bacteria. The presence of α-glycoside linkages was further confirmed by 13C NMR analysis. The 13C NMR analysis also showed that the EPS produced by these bacteria is chemically similar to foulants obtained from biofouled RO membranes in previous studies. Therefore, our results support the hypothesis that the majority of substances that cause fouling on RO membranes originate from bacteria. Investigation using 1H NMR showed that the EPS contained a high abundance of hydrophobic compounds, and these compounds can lead to flux decline in the membrane processes. Genome sequencing of the isolates showed that they represent novel species of bacteria belonging to the genus Bacillus. Examination of genomes showed that these bacteria carry carbohydrates-active enzymes that play a role in the production of polysaccharides. Further genomic studies allowed us to identify proteins involved in the biosynthesis of EPS and flagella involved in biofilm formation. These analyses provide a glimpse into the physicochemical properties of EPS found on the RO membrane. This knowledge can be useful in the rational design of biofilm control treatments for the RO membrane.

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Biofouling control by phosphorus limitation strongly depends on the assimilable organic carbon concentration

Cited by 31 publications

References 50 publications

Organic and biological fouling

Organic and biological fouling

Phosphorus Concentration in Water Affects the Biofilm Community and the Produced Amount of Extracellular Polymeric Substances in Reverse Osmosis Membrane Systems

Physicochemical Properties of Extracellular Polymeric Substances Produced by Three Bacterial Isolates From Biofouled Reverse Osmosis Membranes

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