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Hasanin G, Mosquera AM, Emwas AH, Altmann T, Das R, Buijs PJ, Vrouwenvelder JS, Gonzalez-Gil G. The microbial growth potential of antiscalants used in seawater desalination. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 233:119802. [PMID: 36871379 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
20 years since the first report on the biofouling potential of chemicals used for scale control, still, antiscalants with high bacterial growth potential are used in practice. Evaluating the bacterial growth potential of commercially available antiscalants is therefore essential for a rational selection of these chemicals. Previous antiscalant growth potential tests were conducted in drinking water or seawater inoculated with model bacterial species which do not represent natural bacterial communities. To reflect better on the conditions of desalination systems, we investigated the bacterial growth potential of eight different antiscalants in natural seawater and an autochthonous bacterial population as inoculum. The antiscalants differed strongly in their bacterial growth potential varying from ≤ 1 to 6 μg easily biodegradable C equivalents/mg antiscalant. The six phosphonate-based antiscalants investigated showed a broad range of growth potential, which depended on their chemical composition, whilst the biopolymer and the synthetic carboxylated polymers-based antiscalants showed limited or no significant bacterial growth. Moreover, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) scans enabled antiscalant fingerprinting, identifying components and contaminants, providing a rapid and sensitive characterization, and opening opportunities for rational selection of antiscalants for biofouling control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghadeer Hasanin
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ana Maria Mosquera
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdul-Hamid Emwas
- Advanced Nanofabrication Imaging and Characterization, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Thomas Altmann
- Innovation and New Technology, ACWA Power, 41st Floor, The One Tower, Barsha Heights, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ratul Das
- Innovation and New Technology, ACWA Power, 41st Floor, The One Tower, Barsha Heights, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Paulus J Buijs
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Johannes S Vrouwenvelder
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Graciela Gonzalez-Gil
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.
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2
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Shahid MK, Choi Y. CO 2 as an Alternative to Traditional Antiscalants in Pressure-Driven Membrane Processes: An Experimental Study of Lab-Scale Operation and Cleaning Strategies. MEMBRANES 2022; 12:membranes12100918. [PMID: 36295676 PMCID: PMC9610738 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12100918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Scaling, or inorganic fouling, is a major factor limiting the performance of membrane-based water treatment processes in long-term operation. Over the past few decades, extensive studies have been conducted to control the scale growth found in membrane processes and to develop sustainable and greener processes. This study details the role of CO2 in scale inhibition in membrane processes. The core concept of CO2 utilization is to reduce the influent pH and to minimize the risk of scale formation from magnesium or calcium salts. Three reverse osmosis (RO) units were operated with a control (U1), CO2 (U2), and a commercial antiscalant, MDC-220 (U3). The performances of all the units were compared in terms of change in transmembrane pressure (TMP). The overall efficiency trend was found as U1 > U3 > U2. The membrane surfaces were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) for the morphological and elemental compositions, respectively. The surface analysis signified a significant increase in surface smoothness after scale deposition. The noticeable reduction in surface roughness can be described as a result of ionic deposition in the valley region. A sludge-like scale layer was found on the surface of the control membrane (U1) which could not be removed, even after an hour of chemical cleaning. After 20−30 min of cleaning, the U2 membrane was successfully restored to its original state. In brief, this study highlights the sustainable membrane process developed via CO2 utilization for scale inhibition, and the appropriate cleaning approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Kashif Shahid
- Research Institute of Environment & Biosystem, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
| | - Younggyun Choi
- Department of Environmental & IT Engineering, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
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3
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Cabrera J, Guo HY, Yao JL, Wang XM. The effect of different carbon sources on biofouling in membrane fouling simulators: microbial community and implications. BIOFOULING 2022; 38:747-763. [PMID: 36224109 DOI: 10.1080/08927014.2022.2129017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Biofouling is a problem affecting the operation of nanofiltration systems due to the complexity of the carbon matrix affecting bacteria and biofilm growth. This study used membrane fouling simulators to investigate the effects of five different carbon sources on the biofouling of nanofiltration membranes. For all the carbon sources analyzed, the increase in pressure drop was most accelerated for acetate. The use of acetate as the single carbon source produced less adenosine triphosphate but more extracellular polymers than glucose. The microbial community was analyzed using 16 s rRNA. The use of more than a single carbon source produced an increase in bacteria diversity even at similar concentrations. The relative abundance of proteobacteria was the highest at the phylum level (95%) when a single carbon source was added. Additionally, it was found that the use of different carbon sources produced a shift in the microbial community, affecting the biofouling and pressure drop on membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johny Cabrera
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Hao-Yu Guo
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | | | - Xiao-Mao Wang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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4
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Permeation Increases Biofilm Development in Nanofiltration Membranes Operated with Varying Feed Water Phosphorous Concentrations. MEMBRANES 2022; 12:membranes12030335. [PMID: 35323810 PMCID: PMC8950030 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12030335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Nutrient limitation has been proposed as a biofouling control strategy for membrane systems. However, the impact of permeation on biofilm development under phosphorus-limited and enriched conditions is poorly understood. This study analyzed biofilm development in membrane fouling simulators (MFSs) with and without permeation supplied with water varying dosed phosphorus concentrations (0 and 25 μg P·L−1). The MFSs operated under permeation conditions were run at a constant flux of 15.6 L·m2·h−1 for 4.7 days. Feed channel pressure drop, transmembrane pressure, and flux were used as performance indicators. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) images and biomass quantification were used to analyze the developed biofilms. The total phosphorus concentration that accumulated on the membrane and spacer was quantified by using microwave digestion and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Results show that permeation impacts biofilm development depending on nutrient condition with a stronger impact at low P concentration (pressure drop increase: 282%; flux decline: 11%) compared to a higher P condition (pressure drop increase: 206%; flux decline: 2%). The biofilm that developed at 0 μg P·L−1 under permeation conditions resulted in a higher performance decline due to biofilm localization and spread in the MFS. A thicker biofilm developed on the membrane for biofilms grown at 0 μg P·L−1 under permeation conditions, causing a stronger effect on flux decline (11%) compared to non-permeation conditions (5%). The difference in the biofilm thickness on the membrane was attributed to a higher phosphorus concentration in the membrane biofilm under permeation conditions. Permeation has an impact on biofilm development and, therefore, should not be excluded in biofouling studies.
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5
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Desmond P, Huisman KT, Sanawar H, Farhat NM, Traber J, Fridjonsson EO, Johns ML, Flemming HC, Picioreanu C, Vrouwenvelder JS. Controlling the hydraulic resistance of membrane biofilms by engineering biofilm physical structure. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 210:118031. [PMID: 34998071 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.118031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The application of membrane technology for water treatment and reuse is hampered by the development of a microbial biofilm. Biofilm growth in micro-and ultrafiltration (MF/UF) membrane modules, on both the membrane surface and feed spacer, can form a secondary membrane and exert resistance to permeation and crossflow, increasing energy demand and decreasing permeate quantity and quality. In recent years, exhaustive efforts were made to understand the chemical, structural and hydraulic characteristics of membrane biofilms. In this review, we critically assess which specific structural features of membrane biofilms exert resistance to forced water passage in MF/UF membranes systems applied to water and wastewater treatment, and how biofilm physical structure can be engineered by process operation to impose less hydraulic resistance ("below-the-pain threshold"). Counter-intuitively, biofilms with greater thickness do not always cause a higher hydraulic resistance than thinner biofilms. Dense biofilms, however, had consistently higher hydraulic resistances compared to less dense biofilms. The mechanism by which density exerts hydraulic resistance is reported in the literature to be dependant on the biofilms' internal packing structure and EPS chemical composition (e.g., porosity, polymer concentration). Current reports of internal porosity in membrane biofilms are not supported by adequate experimental evidence or by a reliable methodology, limiting a unified understanding of biofilm internal structure. Identifying the dependency of hydraulic resistance on biofilm density invites efforts to control the hydraulic resistance of membrane biofilms by engineering internal biofilm structure. Regulation of biofilm internal structure is possible by alteration of key determinants such as feed water nutrient composition/concentration, hydraulic shear stress and resistance and can engineer biofilm structural development to decrease density and therein hydraulic resistance. Future efforts should seek to determine the extent to which the concept of "biofilm engineering" can be extended to other biofilm parameters such as mechanical stability and the implication for biofilm control/removal in engineered water systems (e.g., pipelines and/or, cooling towers) susceptible to biofouling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Desmond
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Mies-van-der-Rohe-Strasse 1, D52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Kees Theo Huisman
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, Water Desalination and Reuse Center King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Huma Sanawar
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, Water Desalination and Reuse Center King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nadia M Farhat
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, Water Desalination and Reuse Center King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jacqueline Traber
- Department of Process Engineering, Swiss Federal Institute for Aquatic Science and Technology (EAWAG), Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - Einar O Fridjonsson
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Michael L Johns
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Hans-Curt Flemming
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE), 60 Nanyang Drive, 637551, Singapore; Biofilm Centre, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstr. 5, 45141, Essen, Germany; IWW Water Centre, Moritzstrasse 26, 45476, Muelheim, Germany
| | - Cristian Picioreanu
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, Water Desalination and Reuse Center King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Johannes S Vrouwenvelder
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, Water Desalination and Reuse Center King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, Netherlands
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6
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Javier L, Pulido-Beltran L, Kruithof J, Vrouwenvelder JS, Farhat NM. Phosphorus Concentration in Water Affects the Biofilm Community and the Produced Amount of Extracellular Polymeric Substances in Reverse Osmosis Membrane Systems. MEMBRANES 2021; 11:928. [PMID: 34940429 PMCID: PMC8707166 DOI: 10.3390/membranes11120928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
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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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Javier
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; (L.J.); (L.P.-B.); (J.S.V.)
| | - Laura Pulido-Beltran
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; (L.J.); (L.P.-B.); (J.S.V.)
| | - Joop Kruithof
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911 MA Leeuwarden, The Netherlands;
| | - Johannes S. Vrouwenvelder
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; (L.J.); (L.P.-B.); (J.S.V.)
- Faculty of Applied Sciences, Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Nadia M. Farhat
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; (L.J.); (L.P.-B.); (J.S.V.)
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7
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Rehman ZU, Vrouwenvelder JS, Saikaly PE. Physicochemical Properties of Extracellular Polymeric Substances Produced by Three Bacterial Isolates From Biofouled Reverse Osmosis Membranes. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:668761. [PMID: 34349735 PMCID: PMC8328090 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.668761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
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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Affiliation(s)
- Zahid Ur Rehman
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Johannes S Vrouwenvelder
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Pascal E Saikaly
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
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8
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New Functionalized Macroparticles for Environmentally Sustainable Biofilm Control in Water Systems. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10040399. [PMID: 33917084 PMCID: PMC8067768 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10040399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Reverse osmosis (RO) depends on biocidal agents to control the operating costs associated to biofouling, although this implies the discharge of undesired chemicals into the aquatic environment. Therefore, a system providing pre-treated water free of biocides arises as an interesting solution to minimize the discharge of chemicals while enhancing RO filtration performance by inactivating bacteria that could form biofilms on the membrane system. This work proposes a pretreatment approach based on the immobilization of an industrially used antimicrobial agent (benzalkonium chloride—BAC) into millimetric aluminum oxide particles with prior surface activation with DA—dopamine. The antimicrobial efficacy of the functionalized particles was assessed against Escherichia coli planktonic cells through culturability and cell membrane integrity analysis. The results showed total inactivation of bacterial cells within five min for the highest particle concentration and 100% of cell membrane damage after 15 min for all concentrations. When reusing the same particles, a higher contact time was needed to reach the total inactivation, possibly due to partial blocking of immobilized biocide by dead bacteria adhering to the particles and to the residual leaching of biocide. The overall results support the use of Al2O3-DA-BAC particles as antimicrobial agents for sustainable biocidal applications in continuous water treatment systems.
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9
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Kerdi S, Qamar A, Vrouwenvelder JS, Ghaffour N. Biofilm removal efficacy using direct electric current in cross-flow ultrafiltration processes for water treatment. J Memb Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2020.118808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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10
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Javier L, Farhat NM, Vrouwenvelder JS. Enhanced hydraulic cleanability of biofilms developed under a low phosphorus concentration in reverse osmosis membrane systems. WATER RESEARCH X 2021; 10:100085. [PMID: 33385157 PMCID: PMC7770974 DOI: 10.1016/j.wroa.2020.100085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
A critical problem in seawater reverse osmosis (RO) filtration processes is biofilm accumulation, which reduces system performance and increases energy requirements. As a result, membrane systems need to be periodically cleaned by combining chemical and physical protocols. Nutrient limitation in the feed water is a strategy to control biofilm formation, lengthening stable membrane system performance. However, the cleanability of biofilms developed under various feed water nutrient conditions is not well understood. This study analyzes the removal efficiency of biofilms grown in membrane fouling simulators (MFSs) supplied with water varying in phosphorus concentrations (3 and 6 μg P·L-1 and with constant biodegradable carbon concentration) by applying hydraulic cleaning after a defined 140% increase in the feed channel pressure drop, through increasing the cross-flow velocity from 0.18 m s-1 to 0.35 m s-1 for 1 h. The two phosphorus concentrations (3 and 6 μg P·L-1) simulate the RO feed water without and with the addition of a phosphorus-based antiscalant, respectively, and were chosen based on measurements at a full-scale seawater RO desalination plant. Biomass quantification parameters performed after membrane autopsies such as total cell count, adenosine triphosphate, total organic carbon, and extracellular polymeric substances were used along with feed channel pressure drop measurements to evaluate biofilm removal efficiency. The outlet water during hydraulic cleaning (1 h) was collected and characterized as well. Optical coherence tomography images were taken before and after hydraulic cleaning for visualization of biofilm morphology. Biofilms grown at 3 μg P·L-1 had an enhanced hydraulic cleanability compared to biofilms grown at 6 μg P·L-1. The higher detachment for biofilms grown at a lower phosphorus concentration was explained by more soluble polymers in the EPS, resulting in a lower biofilm cohesive and adhesive strength. This study confirms that manipulating the feed water nutrient composition can engineer a biofilm that is easier to remove, shifting research focus towards biofilm engineering and more sustainable cleaning strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Javier
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nadia M. Farhat
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
- Corresponding author.
| | - Johannes S. Vrouwenvelder
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
- Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Department of Biotechnology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629, HZ Delft, the Netherlands
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11
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Douterelo I, Dutilh BE, Calero C, Rosales E, Martin K, Husband S. Impact of phosphate dosing on the microbial ecology of drinking water distribution systems: Fieldwork studies in chlorinated networks. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 187:116416. [PMID: 33039899 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Phosphate is routinely dosed to ensure regulatory compliance for lead in drinking water distribution systems. Little is known about the impact of the phosphate dose on the microbial ecology in these systems and in particular the endemic biofilms. Disturbance of the biofilms and embedded material in distribution can cause regulatory failures for turbidity and metals. To investigate the impact of phosphate on developing biofilms, pipe wall material from four independent pipe sections was mobilised and collected using two twin-flushing operations a year apart in a chlorinated UK network pre- and post-phosphate dosing. Intensive monitoring was undertaken, including turbidity and water physico-chemistry, traditional microbial culture-based indicators, and microbial community structure via sequencing the 16S rRNA gene for bacteria and the ITS2 gene for fungi. Whole metagenome sequencing was used to study shifts in functional characteristics following the addition of phosphate. As an operational consequence, turbidity responses from the phosphate-enriched water were increased, particularly from cast iron pipes. Differences in the taxonomic composition of both bacteria and fungi were also observed, emphasising a community shift towards microorganisms able to use or metabolise phosphate. Phosphate increased the relative abundance of bacteria such as Pseudomonas, Paenibacillus, Massilia, Acinetobacter and the fungi Cadophora, Rhizophagus and Eupenicillium. Whole metagenome sequencing showed with phosphate a favouring of sequences related to Gram-negative bacterium type cell wall function, virions and thylakoids, but a reduction in the number of sequences associated to vitamin binding, methanogenesis and toxin biosynthesis. With current faecal indicator tests only providing risk detection in bulk water samples, this work improves understanding of how network changes effect microbial ecology and highlights the potential for new approaches to inform future monitoring or control strategies to protect drinking water quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Douterelo
- Pennine Water Group, Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, Sir Frederick Mappin Building, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S1 3JD, United Kingdom.
| | - B E Dutilh
- Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics, Science for Life, Utrecht University, Hugo R. Kruytgebouw, Padualaan 8, 3584, CH, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - C Calero
- Pennine Water Group, Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, Sir Frederick Mappin Building, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S1 3JD, United Kingdom
| | - E Rosales
- Pennine Water Group, Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, Sir Frederick Mappin Building, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S1 3JD, United Kingdom
| | - K Martin
- Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, Pentwyn Road, Nelson, Treharris, Mid Glamorgan CF46 6LY, United Kingdom
| | - S Husband
- Pennine Water Group, Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, Sir Frederick Mappin Building, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S1 3JD, United Kingdom
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12
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Kalafatakis S, Zarebska A, Lange L, Hélix-Nielsen C, Skiadas IV, Gavala HN. Biofouling Mitigation Approaches during Water Recovery from Fermented Broth via Forward Osmosis. MEMBRANES 2020; 10:membranes10110307. [PMID: 33121090 PMCID: PMC7693741 DOI: 10.3390/membranes10110307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Forward Osmosis (FO) is a promising technology that can offer sustainable solutions in the biorefinery wastewater and desalination fields, via low energy water recovery. However, microbial biomass and organic matter accumulation on membrane surfaces can hinder the water recovery and potentially lead to total membrane blockage. Biofouling development is a rather complex process and can be affected by several factors such as nutrient availability, chemical composition of the solutions, and hydrodynamic conditions. Therefore, operational parameters like cross-flow velocity and pH of the filtration solution have been proposed as effective biofouling mitigation strategies. Nevertheless, most of the studies have been conducted with the use of rather simple solutions. As a result, biofouling mitigation practices based on such studies might not be as effective when applying complex industrial mixtures. In the present study, the effect of cross-flow velocity, pH, and cell concentration of the feed solution was investigated, with the use of complex solutions during FO separation. Specifically, fermentation effluent and crude glycerol were used as a feed and draw solution, respectively, with the purpose of recirculating water by using FO alone. The effect of the abovementioned parameters on (i) ATP accumulation, (ii) organic foulant deposition, (iii) total water recovery, (iv) reverse glycerol flux, and (v) process butanol rejection has been studied. The main findings of the present study suggest that significant reduction of biofouling can be achieved as a combined effect of high-cross flow velocity and low feed solution pH. Furthermore, cell removal from the feed solution prior filtration may further assist the reduction of membrane blockage. These results may shed light on the challenging, but promising field of FO process dealing with complex industrial solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stavros Kalafatakis
- Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Søltofts Plads 229, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark; (S.K.); (L.L.); (I.V.S.)
| | - Agata Zarebska
- Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Department of Environmental Engineering, Miljøvej 113, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark; (A.Z.); (C.H.-N.)
| | - Lene Lange
- Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Søltofts Plads 229, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark; (S.K.); (L.L.); (I.V.S.)
| | - Claus Hélix-Nielsen
- Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Department of Environmental Engineering, Miljøvej 113, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark; (A.Z.); (C.H.-N.)
| | - Ioannis V. Skiadas
- Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Søltofts Plads 229, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark; (S.K.); (L.L.); (I.V.S.)
| | - Hariklia N. Gavala
- Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Søltofts Plads 229, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark; (S.K.); (L.L.); (I.V.S.)
- Correspondence: or
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Yu W, Song D, Chen W, Yang H. Antiscalants in RO membrane scaling control. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 183:115985. [PMID: 32619802 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.115985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Reverse osmosis (RO) plays an important role in freshwater production. Mineral scaling is an inevitable problem in the RO desalination process. Various methods, including the pretreatment of feed water, the optimization of operational processes, the development of novel membrane materials, and the addition of antiscalants, have been developed to mitigate scale formation in RO systems. Among these methods, the addition of antiscalants is a relatively cost-effective and convenient technique for membrane scaling control. In the current work, various kinds of antiscalants, scale inhibition mechanisms, and their applications to RO membrane scaling control are reviewed. Weakness of existing antiscalants and challenge arising from their practical applications, such as membrane fouling caused by antiscalants, increased bacterial growth, dosing control, and the disposal of resultant concentrates, are also presented. To effectively alleviate scaling on RO membrane by using antiscalants, the development of novel, high-performance, and environment-friendly antiscalants on the basis of an in-depth study of the inhibition mechanisms and well-established structure-activity relationships is urgently necessary. The optimization of antiscalants and their combinations with other pretreatments in practical RO operations are essential in efficient scaling control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, PR China
| | - Di Song
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, PR China
| | - Wei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, PR China
| | - Hu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, PR China.
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Javier L, Farhat NM, Desmond P, Linares RV, Bucs S, Kruithof JC, Vrouwenvelder JS. Biofouling control by phosphorus limitation strongly depends on the assimilable organic carbon concentration. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 183:116051. [PMID: 32622233 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Nutrient limitation is a biofouling control strategy in reverse osmosis (RO) membrane systems. In seawater, the assimilable organic carbon content available for bacterial growth ranges from about 50 to 400 μg C·L-1, while the phosphorus concentration ranges from 3 to 11 μg P·L-1. Several studies monitored biofouling development, limiting either carbon or phosphorus. The effect of carbon to phosphorus ratio and the restriction of both nutrients on membrane system performance have not yet been investigated. This study examines the impact of reduced phosphorus concentration (from 25 μg P·L-1 and 3 μg P·L-1, to a low concentration of ≤0.3 μg P·L-1), combined with two different carbon concentrations (250 C L-1 and 30 μg C·L-1), on biofilm development in an RO system. Feed channel pressure drop was measured to determine the effect of the developed biofilm on system performance. The morphology of the accumulated biomass for both carbon concentrations was characterized by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and the biomass amount and composition was quantified by measuring total organic carbon (TOC), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), total cell counts (TCC), and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) concentration for the developed biofilms under phosphorus restricted (P-restricted) and dosed (P-dosed) conditions. For both carbon concentrations, P-restricted conditions (≤0.3 μg P·L-1) limited bacterial growth (lower values of ATP, TCC). A faster pressure drop increase was observed for P-restricted conditions compared to P-dosed conditions when 250 μg C·L-1 was dosed. This faster pressure drop increase can be explained by a higher area covered by biofilm in the flow channel and a higher amount of produced EPS. Conversely, a slower pressure drop increase was observed for P-restricted conditions compared to P-dosed conditions when 30 μg C·L-1 was dosed. Results of this study demonstrate that P-limitation delayed biofilm formation effectively when combined with low assimilable organic carbon concentration and thereby, lengthening the overall membrane system performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Javier
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nadia M Farhat
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Peter Desmond
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland; ETH Zürich, Institute of Environmental Engineering, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Rodrigo Valladares Linares
- Renewable Energy Unit, Yucatan Center for Scientific Research (CICY), 43 Street #130, Chuburna de Hidalgo, 97205, Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico
| | - Szilárd Bucs
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Joop C Kruithof
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911 MA, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands
| | - Johannes S Vrouwenvelder
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Department of Biotechnology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, the Netherlands
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Pinel ISM, Kim LH, Proença Borges VR, Farhat NM, Witkamp GJ, van Loosdrecht MCM, Vrouwenvelder JS. Effect of phosphate availability on biofilm formation in cooling towers. BIOFOULING 2020; 36:800-815. [PMID: 32883093 DOI: 10.1080/08927014.2020.1815011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Phosphate limitation has been suggested as a preventive method against biofilms. P-limited feed water was studied as a preventive strategy against biofouling in cooling towers (CTs). Three pilot-scale open recirculating CTs were operated in parallel for five weeks. RO permeate was fed to the CTs (1) without supplementation (reference), (2) with supplementation by biodegradable carbon (P-limited) and (3) with supplementation of all nutrients (non-P-limited). The P-limited water contained ≤10 µg PO4 l-1. Investigating the CT-basins and coupons showed that P-limited water (1) did not prevent biofilm formation and (2) resulted in a higher volume of organic matter per unit of active biomass compared with the other CTs. Exposure to external conditions and cycle of concentration were likely factors that allowed a P concentration sufficient to cause extensive biofouling despite being the limiting compound. In conclusion, phosphate limitation in cooling water is not a suitable strategy for CT biofouling control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid S M Pinel
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Lan Hee Kim
- Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Vitor R Proença Borges
- Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nadia M Farhat
- Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Geert-Jan Witkamp
- Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mark C M van Loosdrecht
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Johannes S Vrouwenvelder
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
- Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
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Yang Y, Yuen Koh K, Li R, Zhang H, Yan Y, Chen JP. An innovative lanthanum carbonate grafted microfibrous composite for phosphate adsorption in wastewater. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2020; 392:121952. [PMID: 32155516 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.121952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2019] [Revised: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Excessive presence of phosphorus in waters can cause eutrophication, a global unsolved environmental problem that has caused harmful effects to our eco-system and the source of our drinking water. In the study presented in this paper, a novel lanthanum carbonate grafted microfibrous composite (LC-MC) adsorbent was synthesized aiming at removing large amount of phosphate in wastewater efficiently. An optimized LC-MC was firstly prepared. The most suitable pH for the phosphate uptake was pH 7 to 9. The adsorption showed similar behavior in a wide range of ionic strength. The presence of co-existing anions was proved to have a less significant effect on the removal. The adsorption isotherm data were better fitted by the Freundlich isotherm than the Langmuir isotherm. The equilibrium was reached at about 300 min of contact time. 80 % of original adsorption capacity can be achieved even after 5 cycles of adsorption- desorption operations, indicating great regenerative performance of the adsorbent. The adsorption mechanism study showed that the ligand exchange played a key role during the phosphate adsorption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Yang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge Crescent, Singapore, 119260, Singapore; School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Green Chemical Product Technology, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, PR China
| | - Kok Yuen Koh
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge Crescent, Singapore, 119260, Singapore
| | - Ruiying Li
- Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Haifa, 3200, Israel; Guangdong Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, 243 Da Xue Road, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Huiping Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Green Chemical Product Technology, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, PR China
| | - Ying Yan
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Green Chemical Product Technology, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, PR China
| | - J Paul Chen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge Crescent, Singapore, 119260, Singapore.
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Flemming HC. Biofouling and me: My Stockholm syndrome with biofilms. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 173:115576. [PMID: 32044598 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.115576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Biofouling is the undesired deposition and growth of microorganisms on surfaces, forming biofilms. The definition is subjective and operational: not every biofilm causes biofouling - only if a given a subjective "threshold of interference" is exceeded, biofilms cause technical or medical problems. These range from the formation of slime layers on ship hulls or in pipelines, which increase friction resistance, to separation membranes, on which biofilms increase hydraulic resistance, to heat exchangers where they interfere with heat transport to contamination of treated water by eroded biofilm cells which may comprise hygienically relevant microorganisms, and, most dangerous, to biofilms on implants and catheters which can cause persistent infections. The largest fraction of anti-fouling research, usually in short-term experiments, is focused on prevention or limiting primary microbial adhesion. Intuitively, this appears only logical, but turns out mostly hopeless. This is because in technical systems with open access for microorganisms, all surfaces are colonized sooner or later which explains the very limited success of that research. As a result, the use of biocides remains the major tool to fight persistent biofilms. However, this is costly in terms of biocides, it stresses working materials, causes off-time and environmental damage and it usually leaves large parts of biofilms in place, ready for regrowth. In order to really solve biofouling problems, it is necessary to learn how to live with biofilms and mitigate their detrimental effects. This requires rather an integrated strategy than aiming to invent "one-shot" solutions. In this context, it helps to understand the biofilm way of life as a natural phenomenon. Biofilms are the oldest, most successful and most widely distributed form of life on earth, existing even in extreme environments and being highly resilient. Microorganisms in biofilms live in a self-produced matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) which allows them to develop emerging properties such as enhanced nutrient acquisition, synergistic microconsortia, enhanced tolerance to biocides and antibiotics, intense intercellular communication and cooperation. Transiently immobilized, biofilm organisms turn their matrix into an external digestion system by retaining complexed exoenzymes in the matrix. Biofilms grow even on traces of any biodegradable material, therefore, an effective anti-fouling strategy comprises to keep the system low in nutrients (good housekeeping), employing low-fouling, easy-to-clean surfaces, monitoring of biofilm development, allowing for early intervention, and acknowledging that cleaning can be more important than trying to kill biofilms, because cleaning does not cut the nutrient supply of survivors and dead biomass serves as an additional carbon source for "cannibalizing" survivors, supporting rapid after growth. An integrated concept is presented as the result of a long journey of the author through biofouling problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans-Curt Flemming
- Water Academy, Schloss-Strasse 40, D-88045, Friedrichshafen, Germany; Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE), 60 Nanyang Drive, 637551, Singapore; Biofilm Centre, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstr. 5, 45141, Essen, Germany; IWW Water Centre, Moritzstrasse 26, 45476, Muelheim, Germany.
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18
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Zhang X, Ping M, Wu Z, Tang CY, Wang Z. Microfiltration membranes modified by silver-decorated biomimetic silica nanopollens for mitigating biofouling: Synergetic effects of nanopollens and silver nanoparticles. J Memb Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2019.117773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Yang Y, Lohwacharin J, Takizawa S, Hou LA. Comparison between ferrihydrite adsorption and full-scale advanced drinking water treatment processes for controlling bacterial regrowth potential. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 241:125001. [PMID: 31590020 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.125001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial regrowth in drinking water systems is a threat to public health. In this study, ferrihydrite (Fh) adsorption was compared with advanced drinking water treatment processes (ADWTP) during one and a half years of sampling to test the reduction in assimilable organic carbon (AOC) and bacterial regrowth potential (BRP). Dissolved organic matter (DOM) was removed by Fh through ligand exchange and electrostatic interaction. The DOM removal was higher below pH 6 due to protonation of Fh surfaces. The ADWTP exhibited higher removal rates of DOM than Fh and lower phosphate removal rates than Fh. Excitation-emission matrix (EEM) and size exclusion chromatography (SEC) revealed that Fh removed aromatic DOM larger than 1000 Da, while the biological activated carbon (BAC) of ADWTP could remove DOM smaller than 1000 Da. These differences of organic compositions resulted in the lowest AOC of BAC treated water, and the lowest BRP of Fh-treated water, indicating that it was the most biostable water. Phosphate addition experiments illustrated that phosphorus was the primary rate limiting nutrient, indicating that the higher phosphate removal of Fh made it possible to produce waters with lower BRP than ADWTP. Therefore, BRP is considered to be a better indicator of bacterial regrowth than AOC when phosphorus is a rate-limiting nutrient, as is the case with the Fh treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University. No.19, Xinjiekouwai Street, Haidian District, Beijing, 100875, China.
| | - Jenyuk Lohwacharin
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, 254 Phayathai Road, Wangmai, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
| | - Satoshi Takizawa
- Department of Urban Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan.
| | - Li-An Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University. No.19, Xinjiekouwai Street, Haidian District, Beijing, 100875, China; Xi' an High-Tech Institute, Xi' an, 710025, China.
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Buliauskaitė R, Wilfert P, Suresh Kumar P, de Vet WWJM, Witkamp GJ, Korving L, van Loosdrecht MCM. Biogenic iron oxides for phosphate removal. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY 2020; 41:260-266. [PMID: 29993337 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2018.1496147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Biogenic iron oxides (BioFeO) formed by Leptothrix sp. and Gallionella sp. were compared with chemically formed iron oxides (ChFeO) for their suitability to remove and recover phosphate from solutions. The ChFeO used for comparison included a commercial iron-based adsorbent (GEH) and chemically oxidized iron precipitates from groundwater. Despite contrary observations in earlier studies, the batch experiments showed that BioFeO do not have superior phosphate adsorption capacities compared to ChFeO. However, it seems multiple mechanisms are involved in phosphate removal by BioFeO which make their overall phosphate removal capacity higher than that of ChFeO. The overall phosphate removal capacity of Leptothrix sp. deposits was 26.3 mg P/g d.s., which could be attributed to multiple mechanisms. This included adsorption on the solid phase (6.4 mg P/g d.s.) as well as removal via precipitation and/or adsorption onto suspended complexes released from the BioFeO of Leptothrix sp. (19.6 mg P/g d.s.). Only a very small part of phosphorus (0.3 mg P/g d.s.) was retained in the Leptothrix sp. sheats during bacterial growth. Deposits of Gallionella sp. had an overall phosphate removal capacity of 39.6 mg P/g d.s. Significant amounts of phosphate were apparently incorporated into the Gallionella sp. stalks during their growth (31.0 mg P/g d.s.) and only one-fifth of the total phosphate removal can be related to adsorption (8.6 mg P/g d.s.). Their overall ability to immobilize large quantities of phosphate from solutions indicates that BioFeO could play an important role in environmental and engineered systems for removal of contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raimonda Buliauskaitė
- Department of Environmental Technology, Kaunas University of Technology, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Philipp Wilfert
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Leeuwarden, Netherlands
- Department. Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Prashanth Suresh Kumar
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Leeuwarden, Netherlands
- Department. Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
| | | | - Geert-Jan Witkamp
- Department. Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Leon Korving
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Leeuwarden, Netherlands
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Ngan WY, Habimana O. From farm-scale to lab-scale: The characterization of engineered irrigation water distribution system biofilm models using an artificial freshwater source. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 698:134025. [PMID: 31493571 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Contaminants in freshwater environments, as well as the associated negative impacts on agricultural produce, have emerged as a critical theme of the water-energy-food nexus affecting food safety and irrigation management. Agricultural produce exposed to irrigation with questionable freshwater can internalize and concentrate pollutants. However, the potential risks posed by the ubiquitous presence of biofilms within irrigation water distribution systems (IWDS) remains overlooked, even though such biofilms may harbor and spread pathogenic, chemical, and other environmental pollutants. Our limited knowledge about the role and functional attributes of IWDS biofilms can be blamed mostly to experimental challenges encountered during attempted studies of these biofilms in their natural environments. Hence, a laboratory-based experimental system designed to simulate a freshwater environment was combined with a biofilm reactor capable of recreating the piping environments in water distribution systems. This experimental system was then tested to assess the robustness and repeatability of experimental early-stage biofilms with respect to physical structure and microbial community, using state-of-the-art confocal microscopy and next-generation sequencing, respectively. The results demonstrated the suitability of this laboratory-based experimental system for studying the impacts of selected pollutants on irrigation water distribution systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Y Ngan
- The School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - O Habimana
- The School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; The University Hong Kong Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation (HKU-SIRI), Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China.
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Kumar PS, Korving L, van Loosdrecht MC, Witkamp GJ. Adsorption as a technology to achieve ultra-low concentrations of phosphate: Research gaps and economic analysis. WATER RESEARCH X 2019; 4:100029. [PMID: 31334493 PMCID: PMC6614603 DOI: 10.1016/j.wroa.2019.100029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 03/02/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Eutrophication and the resulting formation of harmful algal blooms (HAB) causes huge economic and environmental damages. Phosphorus (P) from sewage effluent and agricultural run-off has been identified as a major cause for eutrophication. Phosphorous concentrations greater than 100 μg P/L are usually considered high enough to cause eutrophication. The strictest regulations however aim to restrict the concentration below 10 μg P/L. Orthophosphate (or phosphate) is the bioavailable form of phosphorus. Adsorption is often suggested as technology to reduce phosphate to concentrations less than 100 and even 10 μg P/L with the advantages of a low-footprint, minimal waste generation and the option to recover the phosphate. Although many studies report on phosphate adsorption, there is insufficient information regarding parameters that are necessary to evaluate its application on a large scale. This review discusses the main parameters that affect the economics of phosphate adsorption and highlights the research gaps. A scenario and sensitivity analysis shows the importance of adsorbent regeneration and reuse. The cost of phosphate adsorption using reusable porous metal oxide is in the range of $ 100 to 200/Kg P for reducing the phosphate to ultra-low concentrations. Future research needs to focus on adsorption capacity at low phosphate concentrations, regeneration and reuse of both the adsorbent and the regeneration liquid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashanth Suresh Kumar
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911 MA, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands
- Department of Biotechnology, Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Building 58, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629, HZ, Delft, the Netherlands
- Corresponding author. Department of Biotechnology, Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Building 58, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629, HZ, Delft, the Netherlands.
| | - Leon Korving
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911 MA, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands
| | - Mark C.M. van Loosdrecht
- Department of Biotechnology, Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Building 58, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629, HZ, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Geert-Jan Witkamp
- Department of Biotechnology, Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Building 58, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629, HZ, Delft, the Netherlands
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
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Seviour T, Derlon N, Dueholm MS, Flemming HC, Girbal-Neuhauser E, Horn H, Kjelleberg S, van Loosdrecht MCM, Lotti T, Malpei MF, Nerenberg R, Neu TR, Paul E, Yu H, Lin Y. Extracellular polymeric substances of biofilms: Suffering from an identity crisis. WATER RESEARCH 2019; 151:1-7. [PMID: 30557778 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Revised: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/10/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Microbial biofilms can be both cause and cure to a range of emerging societal problems including antimicrobial tolerance, water sanitation, water scarcity and pollution. The identities of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) responsible for the establishment and function of biofilms are poorly understood. The lack of information on the chemical and physical identities of EPS limits the potential to rationally engineer biofilm processes, and impedes progress within the water and wastewater sector towards a circular economy and resource recovery. Here, a multidisciplinary roadmap for addressing this EPS identity crisis is proposed. This involves improved EPS extraction and characterization methodologies, cross-referencing between model biofilms and full-scale biofilm systems, and functional description of isolated EPS with in situ techniques (e.g. microscopy) coupled with genomics, proteomics and glycomics. The current extraction and spectrophotometric characterization methods, often based on the principle not to compromise the integrity of the microbial cells, should be critically assessed, and more comprehensive methods for recovery and characterization of EPS need to be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Seviour
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 637551, Singapore.
| | - Nicolas Derlon
- EAWAG, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Department of Process Engineering, CH-8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Morten Simonsen Dueholm
- Center for Microbial Communities, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Hans-Curt Flemming
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 637551, Singapore; University of Duisburg-Essen, Faculty of Chemistry, Biofilm Centre, Essen, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Girbal-Neuhauser
- Laboratoire de Biotechnologies Agroalimentaire et Environmentale (LBAE), Universite Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Harald Horn
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Engler-Bunte-Institut, Water Chemistry and Water Technology and DVGW Research Laboratories, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Staffan Kjelleberg
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 637551, Singapore
| | | | - Tommaso Lotti
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering - DICEA, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - M Francesca Malpei
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile e Ambientale, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Robert Nerenberg
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, USA
| | - Thomas R Neu
- Department of River Ecology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Etienne Paul
- Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Biologiques et des Procédés, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Hanqing Yu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yuemei Lin
- Department of Biotechcnology, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands.
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24
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Ashfaq MY, Al-Ghouti MA, Qiblawey H, Rodrigues DF, Hu Y, Zouari N. Isolation, identification and biodiversity of antiscalant degrading seawater bacteria using MALDI-TOF-MS and multivariate analysis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 656:910-920. [PMID: 30625677 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.11.477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) is a commonly used desalination technique owing to its lesser environmental and economic impacts as compared to thermal desalination techniques. Antiscalants are used in SWRO to reduce membrane scaling caused by the supersaturation of salts present in feed water. However, to remain effective in reducing membrane scaling, antiscalants should be highly stable and resistant to biological degradation by seawater microorganisms. In this research, several bacteria from Qatar's seawater were isolated and screened for their ability to use antiscalants as a carbon and energy source. The biodiversity of antiscalant degrading seawater bacteria was demonstrated through combining the techniques of MALDI-TOF MS and principle component analysis. It was found that the bacteria isolated from Qatar's seawater such as H. aquamarina, H. elongata, P. fragi, P. stutzeri and others can degrade antiscalants and use them as a carbon and energy source. It was observed that the growth rates varied based on the type of antiscalant and the bacteria used. Among the tested strains, H. aquamarina, which is also known for its potential to cause biofouling, demonstrated the highest growth rates in antiscalants media. Thus, it was concluded that there is wide variety of bacteria in Qatar's seawater that can biodegrade the antiscalants; reducing their efficiency to combat membrane scaling. Since, these antiscalants will be used as a source of carbon and energy, microbial growth will increase resulting in enhanced membrane biofouling in SWRO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Y Ashfaq
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, P.O. Box: 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mohammad A Al-Ghouti
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, P.O. Box: 2713, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Hazim Qiblawey
- Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Qatar University, P.O. Box: 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Debora F Rodrigues
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cullen College of Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yandi Hu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cullen College of Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Nabil Zouari
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, P.O. Box: 2713, Doha, Qatar
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25
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Park JW, Lee YJ, Meyer AS, Douterelo I, Maeng SK. Bacterial growth through microfiltration membranes and NOM characteristics in an MF-RO integrated membrane system: Lab-scale and full-scale studies. WATER RESEARCH 2018; 144:36-45. [PMID: 30014977 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2018] [Revised: 07/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Biofilm formation on membrane surfaces causes many operational problems such as a decrease in permeate flux and an increase in hydraulic resistance. In this study, the ability of bacteria to pass through microfiltration (MF) membranes and the growth potential of microfilterable bacteria were investigated in order to understand biofouling in MF-reverse osmosis (RO) integrated membrane systems. Growth of microfilterable bacteria in MF permeate was observed, indicating that not all MF membranes can guarantee the total rejection of bacteria. Changes in natural organic matter (NOM) characteristics and growth potential of bacteria during the treatment process are important factors in the occurrence of biofilm development in water treatment systems. Analysis of protein-like and humic-like substances in NOM of two successive RO stages revealed an increase in the concentrations of both biopolymers and humic substances of RO concentrates. Unexpectedly, the use of antiscalants was seen to enhance the growth of bacteria in the RO feed water in this study. Bacterial 16s rRNA pyrosequencing revealed that passing source water through the MF membranes dramatically changed bacterial community structure. The bacterial communities that passed through the MF steps primarily belonged to the family Comamonadaceae. However, several bacteria groups including Flavobacteriaceae, Sphingobacteriaceae and Sphingomonadaceae selectively composed the biofilm community formed on the RO membranes. Thus, understanding the selectivity and filterability of MF towards microorganisms involved in biofouling on RO membrane surfaces is crucial for the improvement of membrane-related operational processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Won Park
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Sejong University, 209 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05006, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Joo Lee
- K-water Convergence Institute, 125 Yuseong-daero 1689 beon-gil, Yuseong-gu, Deajeon, 34045, Republic of Korea
| | - Anne S Meyer
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Isabel Douterelo
- Pennine Water Group, Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Sung Kyu Maeng
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Sejong University, 209 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05006, Republic of Korea.
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26
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Desmond P, Böni L, Fischer P, Morgenroth E, Derlon N. Stratification in the physical structure and cohesion of membrane biofilms — Implications for hydraulic resistance. J Memb Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2018.07.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Desmond P, Best JP, Morgenroth E, Derlon N. Linking composition of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) to the physical structure and hydraulic resistance of membrane biofilms. WATER RESEARCH 2018; 132:211-221. [PMID: 29331909 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2017.12.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Revised: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The effect of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) on the meso-scale physical structure and hydraulic resistance of membrane biofilms during gravity driven membrane (GDM) filtration was investigated. Biofilms were developed on the surface of ultrafiltration membranes during dead-end filtration at ultra-low pressure (70 mbar). Biofilm EPS composition (total protein, polysaccharide and eDNA) was manipulated by growing biofilms under contrasting nutrient conditions. Nutrient conditions consisted of (i) a nutrient enriched condition with a nutrient ratio of 100:30:10 (C: N: P), (ii) a phosphorus limitation (C: N: P ratio: 100:30:0), and (iii) a nitrogen limitation (C: N: P ratio: 100:0:10). The structure of the biofilm was characterised at meso-scale using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). Biofilm composition was analysed with respect to total organic carbon, total cellular mass and extracellular concentrations of proteins, polysaccharides, and eDNA. 2D-confocal Raman mapping was used to characterise the functional group composition and micro-scale distribution of the biofilms EPS. Our study reveals that the composition of the EPS matrix can determine the meso-scale physical structure of membrane biofilms and in turn its hydraulic resistance. Biofilms grown under P limiting conditions were characterised by dense and homogeneous physical structures with high concentrations of polysaccharides and eDNA. Biofilm grown under nutrient enriched or N limiting conditions were characterised by heterogeneous physical structures with lower concentrations of polysaccharides and eDNA. For P limiting biofilms, 2D-confocal Raman microscopy revealed a homogeneous spatial distribution of anionic functional groups in homogeneous biofilm structures with higher polysaccharide and eDNA concentrations. This study links EPS composition, physical structure and hydraulic resistance of membrane biofilms, with practical relevance for the hydraulic performances of GDM ultrafiltration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Desmond
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland; ETH Zürich, Institute of Environmental Engineering, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - James P Best
- Empa - Swiss Federal Institute for Material Science and Technology, Laboratory for Mechanics of Materials and Nanostructures, Feuerwerkerstrasse 39, CH-3602 Thun, Switzerland.
| | - Eberhard Morgenroth
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland; ETH Zürich, Institute of Environmental Engineering, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Nicolas Derlon
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland.
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28
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Feng XC, Guo WQ, Zheng HS, Wu QL, Luo HC, Ren NQ. Effect of metabolic uncoupler, 3,3′,4′,5-tetrachlorosalicylanilide (TCS) on Bacillus subtilis: biofilm formation, flocculability and surface characteristics. RSC Adv 2018; 8:16178-16186. [PMID: 35542191 PMCID: PMC9080271 DOI: 10.1039/c8ra02315h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to understand the inhibitory mechanism of metabolic uncoupler in biofilm, this study investigated the effect of TCS on B. subtilis biofilm formation, flocculability, surface characteristics and thermodynamic properties. An optimal concentration of TCS, a metabolic uncoupler, was observed to substantially inhibit biofilm formation and the secretion of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). The effect of TCS on the zeta potential and flocculability of bacterial suspension implied the addition of 100 μg L−1 TCS increased the net negative charge of cell surface which induced the reduction of B. subtilis flocculability. Meanwhile, the effects of TCS on bacterial surfacial thermodynamic properties were analyzed by the Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek (DLVO) and extend DLVO (XDLVO) theories. As DLVO and XDLVO predicted, the primary energy barrier between bacterial cells incubated with 100 μg L−1 TCS were increased compared to that of control, indicating that B. subtilis incubated with 100 μg L−1 TCS must consume more energy to aggregate or form biofilm. This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory mechanism of metabolic uncoupler on biofilm formation through surface characteristics and thermodynamics analysis.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Chi Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment
- Harbin Institute of Technology
- Harbin
- P. R. China
| | - Wan-Qian Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment
- Harbin Institute of Technology
- Harbin
- P. R. China
| | - He-Shan Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment
- Harbin Institute of Technology
- Harbin
- P. R. China
| | - Qing-Lian Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment
- Harbin Institute of Technology
- Harbin
- P. R. China
| | - Hai-Chao Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment
- Harbin Institute of Technology
- Harbin
- P. R. China
| | - Nan-Qi Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment
- Harbin Institute of Technology
- Harbin
- P. R. China
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29
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Li S, Kim Y, Chekli L, Phuntsho S, Shon HK, Leiknes T, Ghaffour N. Impact of reverse nutrient diffusion on membrane biofouling in fertilizer-drawn forward osmosis. J Memb Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2017.05.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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30
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Miller DJ, Dreyer DR, Bielawski CW, Paul DR, Freeman BD. Surface Modification of Water Purification Membranes. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2017; 56:4662-4711. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.201601509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 441] [Impact Index Per Article: 63.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J. Miller
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering and Texas Materials Institute, Center for Energy and Environmental Resources The University of Texas at Austin 10100 Burnet Road, Building 133 Austin TX 78758 USA
- Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory 1 Cyclotron Road, 30-210C Berkeley CA 94702 USA
| | - Daniel R. Dreyer
- Nalco Champion 3200 Southwest Freeway, Ste. 2700 Houston TX 77027 USA
| | - Christopher W. Bielawski
- Center for Multidimensional Carbon Materials (CMCM) Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) Ulsan 44919 Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry and Department of Energy Engineering Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) Ulsan 44919 Republic of Korea
| | - Donald R. Paul
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering and Texas Materials Institute, Center for Energy and Environmental Resources The University of Texas at Austin 10100 Burnet Road, Building 133 Austin TX 78758 USA
| | - Benny D. Freeman
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering and Texas Materials Institute, Center for Energy and Environmental Resources The University of Texas at Austin 10100 Burnet Road, Building 133 Austin TX 78758 USA
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31
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Miller DJ, Dreyer DR, Bielawski CW, Paul DR, Freeman BD. Oberflächenmodifizierung von Wasseraufbereitungsmembranen. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201601509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J. Miller
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering and Texas Materials Institute, Center for Energy and Environmental Resources The University of Texas, Austin 10100 Burnet Road, Building 133 Austin TX 78758 USA
- Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory 1 Cyclotron Road, 30-210C Berkeley CA 94702 USA
| | - Daniel R. Dreyer
- Nalco Champion 3200 Southwest Freeway, Ste. 2700 Houston TX 77027 USA
| | - Christopher W. Bielawski
- Center for Multidimensional Carbon Materials (CMCM) Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) Ulsan 44919 Republik Korea
- Department of Chemistry and Department of Energy Engineering Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) Ulsan 44919 Republik Korea
| | - Donald R. Paul
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering and Texas Materials Institute, Center for Energy and Environmental Resources The University of Texas, Austin 10100 Burnet Road, Building 133 Austin TX 78758 USA
| | - Benny D. Freeman
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering and Texas Materials Institute, Center for Energy and Environmental Resources The University of Texas, Austin 10100 Burnet Road, Building 133 Austin TX 78758 USA
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32
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Yeo BJL, Goh S, Livingston AG, Fane AG. Controlling biofilm development in the extractive membrane bioreactor. SEP SCI TECHNOL 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/01496395.2016.1246569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bibianna J. L. Yeo
- Interdisciplinary Graduate School, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Singapore Membrane Technology Center, Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shuwen Goh
- Singapore Membrane Technology Center, Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Andrew G. Livingston
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony G. Fane
- Singapore Membrane Technology Center, Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
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33
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Weiss N, Obied KETE, Kalkman J, Lammertink RG, van Leeuwen TG. Measurement of biofilm growth and local hydrodynamics using optical coherence tomography. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2016; 7:3508-3518. [PMID: 27699116 PMCID: PMC5030028 DOI: 10.1364/boe.7.003508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Revised: 07/16/2016] [Accepted: 07/29/2016] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
We report on localized and simultaneous measurement of biofilm growth and local hydrodynamics in a microfluidic channel using optical coherence tomography. We measure independently with high spatio-temporal resolution the longitudinal flow velocity component parallel to the imaging beam and the transverse flow velocity component perpendicular to the imaging beam. Based on the measured velocities we calculate the shear-rates in the flow channel. We show the relation between the measured biofilm structure and flow velocities as biofilm growth progresses over the course of 48 hours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolás Weiss
- Biomedical Engineering & Physics, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 22700, 1100 DE Amsterdam,
The Netherlands
| | - Khalid El Tayeb El Obied
- Soft Matter, Fluidics and Interfaces, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede,
The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Kalkman
- Department of Imaging Physics, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Lorentzweg 1, 2628 CJ Delft,
The Netherlands
| | - Rob G.H. Lammertink
- Soft Matter, Fluidics and Interfaces, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede,
The Netherlands
| | - Ton G. van Leeuwen
- Biomedical Engineering & Physics, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 22700, 1100 DE Amsterdam,
The Netherlands
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34
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Siddiqui A, Farhat N, Bucs SS, Linares RV, Picioreanu C, Kruithof JC, van Loosdrecht MCM, Kidwell J, Vrouwenvelder JS. Development and characterization of 3D-printed feed spacers for spiral wound membrane systems. WATER RESEARCH 2016; 91:55-67. [PMID: 26773488 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2015.12.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2015] [Revised: 12/19/2015] [Accepted: 12/30/2015] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Feed spacers are important for the impact of biofouling on the performance of spiral-wound reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) membrane systems. The objective of this study was to propose a strategy for developing, characterizing, and testing of feed spacers by numerical modeling, three-dimensional (3D) printing of feed spacers and experimental membrane fouling simulator (MFS) studies. The results of numerical modeling on the hydrodynamic behavior of various feed spacer geometries suggested that the impact of spacers on hydrodynamics and biofouling can be improved. A good agreement was found for the modeled and measured relationship between linear flow velocity and pressure drop for feed spacers with the same geometry, indicating that modeling can serve as the first step in spacer characterization. An experimental comparison study of a feed spacer currently applied in practice and a 3D printed feed spacer with the same geometry showed (i) similar hydrodynamic behavior, (ii) similar pressure drop development with time and (iii) similar biomass accumulation during MFS biofouling studies, indicating that 3D printing technology is an alternative strategy for development of thin feed spacers with a complex geometry. Based on the numerical modeling results, a modified feed spacer with low pressure drop was selected for 3D printing. The comparison study of the feed spacer from practice and the modified geometry 3D printed feed spacer established that the 3D printed spacer had (i) a lower pressure drop during hydrodynamic testing, (ii) a lower pressure drop increase in time with the same accumulated biomass amount, indicating that modifying feed spacer geometries can reduce the impact of accumulated biomass on membrane performance. The combination of numerical modeling of feed spacers and experimental testing of 3D printed feed spacers is a promising strategy (rapid, low cost and representative) to develop advanced feed spacers aiming to reduce the impact of biofilm formation on membrane performance and to improve the cleanability of spiral-wound NF and RO membrane systems. The proposed strategy may also be suitable to develop spacers in e.g. forward osmosis (FO), reverse electrodialysis (RED), membrane distillation (MD), and electrodeionisation (EDI) membrane systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber Siddiqui
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nadia Farhat
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Szilárd S Bucs
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rodrigo Valladares Linares
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Cristian Picioreanu
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, 2628 BC, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Joop C Kruithof
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911 MA, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
| | - Mark C M van Loosdrecht
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, 2628 BC, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - James Kidwell
- Conwed Plastics, 2810 Weeks Ave SE, Minneapolis 55414, USA
| | - Johannes S Vrouwenvelder
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, 2628 BC, Delft, The Netherlands; Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911 MA, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands.
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35
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Lousada-Ferreira M, van Lier J, van der Graaf J. Particle counting as surrogate measurement of membrane integrity loss and assessment tool for particle growth and regrowth in the permeate of membrane bioreactors. Sep Purif Technol 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2016.01.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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36
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He J, Wang W, Shi W, Cui F. La2O3 nanoparticle/polyacrylonitrile nanofibers for bacterial inactivation based on phosphate control. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra22374e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
La2O3 nanoparticle-doped PAN nanofiber mats were prepared by an electrospinning process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaojie He
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment (SKLUWRE)
- School of Municipal and Enviromental Engineering
- Harbin Institute of Technology
- Harbin 150090
- P. R. China
| | - Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment (SKLUWRE)
- School of Municipal and Enviromental Engineering
- Harbin Institute of Technology
- Harbin 150090
- P. R. China
| | - Wenxin Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment (SKLUWRE)
- School of Municipal and Enviromental Engineering
- Harbin Institute of Technology
- Harbin 150090
- P. R. China
| | - Fuyi Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment (SKLUWRE)
- School of Municipal and Enviromental Engineering
- Harbin Institute of Technology
- Harbin 150090
- P. R. China
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37
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Filloux E, Wang J, Pidou M, Gernjak W, Yuan Z. Biofouling and scaling control of reverse osmosis membrane using one-step cleaning-potential of acidified nitrite solution as an agent. J Memb Sci 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2015.08.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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38
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Fridjonsson E, Vogt S, Vrouwenvelder J, Johns M. Early non-destructive biofouling detection in spiral wound RO membranes using a mobile earth׳s field NMR. J Memb Sci 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2015.03.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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39
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Kramer FC, Shang R, Heijman SG, Scherrenberg SM, van Lier JB, Rietveld LC. Direct water reclamation from sewage using ceramic tight ultra- and nanofiltration. Sep Purif Technol 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2015.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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40
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Sevcenco AM, Paravidino M, Vrouwenvelder JS, Wolterbeek HT, van Loosdrecht MCM, Hagen WR. Phosphate and arsenate removal efficiency by thermostable ferritin enzyme from Pyrococcus furiosus using radioisotopes. WATER RESEARCH 2015; 76:181-186. [PMID: 25817554 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2015.02.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2014] [Revised: 02/22/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Oxo-anion binding properties of the thermostable enzyme ferritin from Pyrococcus furiosus were characterized with radiography. Radioisotopes (32)P and (76)As present as oxoanions were used to measure the extent and the rate of their absorption by the ferritin. Thermostable ferritin proved to be an excellent system for rapid phosphate and arsenate removal from aqueous solutions down to residual concentrations at the picomolar level. These very low concentrations make thermostable ferritin a potential tool to considerably mitigate industrial biofouling by phosphate limitation or to remove arsenate from drinking water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana-Maria Sevcenco
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, 2628 BC Delft, The Netherlands; Department of Radiation, Radionuclides and Reactors, Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 15, 2629 JB Delft, The Netherlands; BiAqua B.V., Schipholweg 275, 1171 PK Badhoevedorp, The Netherlands
| | | | - Johannes S Vrouwenvelder
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, 2628 BC Delft, The Netherlands; King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Water Desalination and Reuse Center, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hubert Th Wolterbeek
- Department of Radiation, Radionuclides and Reactors, Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 15, 2629 JB Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Mark C M van Loosdrecht
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, 2628 BC Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Wilfred R Hagen
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, 2628 BC Delft, The Netherlands.
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41
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Ginic-Markovic M, Barclay T, Constantopoulos KT, Al-Ghamdi T, Blok A, Markovic E, Ellis AV. A versatile approach to grafting biofouling resistant coatings from polymeric membrane surfaces using an adhesive macroinitiator. RSC Adv 2015. [DOI: 10.1039/c5ra09370h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of a polydopamine-based macroinitiator provides a flexible attachment method that is virtually independent of membrane substrate. The subsequent ARGET-ATRP controllably grafts the stable biofouling resistant polyzwitterion coating.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kristina T. Constantopoulos
- Flinders Centre for Nanoscale Science and Technology
- School of Chemical & Physical Sciences
- Flinders University
- Australia
| | - Tawfiq Al-Ghamdi
- Flinders Centre for Nanoscale Science and Technology
- School of Chemical & Physical Sciences
- Flinders University
- Australia
| | - Andrew Blok
- Flinders Centre for Nanoscale Science and Technology
- School of Chemical & Physical Sciences
- Flinders University
- Australia
| | - Elda Markovic
- Mawson Institute
- University of South Australia
- Australia
| | - Amanda V. Ellis
- Flinders Centre for Nanoscale Science and Technology
- School of Chemical & Physical Sciences
- Flinders University
- Australia
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42
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Heffernan R, Habimana O, Semião AJC, Cao H, Safari A, Casey E. A physical impact of organic fouling layers on bacterial adhesion during nanofiltration. WATER RESEARCH 2014; 67:118-28. [PMID: 25265304 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2014.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2014] [Revised: 09/05/2014] [Accepted: 09/06/2014] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Organic conditioning films have been shown to alter properties of surfaces, such as hydrophobicity and surface free energy. Furthermore, initial bacterial adhesion has been shown to depend on the conditioning film surface properties as opposed to the properties of the virgin surface. For the particular case of nanofiltration membranes under permeate flux conditions, however, the conditioning film thickens to form a thin fouling layer. This study hence sought to determine if a thin fouling layer deposited on a nanofiltration membrane under permeate flux conditions governed bacterial adhesion in the same manner as a conditioning film on a surface. Thin fouling layers (less than 50 μm thick) of humic acid or alginic acid were formed on Dow Filmtec NF90 membranes and analysed using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), confocal microscopy and surface energy techniques. Fluorescent microscopy was then used to quantify adhesion of Pseudomonas fluorescens bacterial cells onto virgin or fouled membranes under filtration conditions. It was found that instead of adhering on or into the organic fouling layer, the bacterial cells penetrated the thin fouling layer and adhered directly to the membrane surface underneath. Contrary to what surface energy measurements of the fouling layer would indicate, bacteria adhered to a greater extent onto clean membranes (24 ± 3% surface coverage) than onto those fouled with humic acid (9.8 ± 4%) or alginic acid (7.5 ± 4%). These results were confirmed by AFM measurements which indicated that a considerable amount of energy (10(-7) J/μm) was dissipated when attempting to penetrate the fouling layers compared to adhering onto clean NF90 membranes (10(-15) J/μm). The added resistance of this fouling layer was thusly seen to reduce the number of bacterial cells which could reach the membrane surface under permeate conditions. This research has highlighted an important difference between fouling layers for the particular case of nanofiltration membranes under permeate flux conditions and surface conditioning films which should be considered when conducting adhesion experiments under filtration conditions. It has also shown AFM to be an integral tool for such experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Heffernan
- School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, University College Dublin, Co. Dublin, Ireland
| | - O Habimana
- School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, University College Dublin, Co. Dublin, Ireland
| | - A J C Semião
- School of Engineering, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - H Cao
- School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, University College Dublin, Co. Dublin, Ireland
| | - A Safari
- School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, University College Dublin, Co. Dublin, Ireland
| | - E Casey
- School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, University College Dublin, Co. Dublin, Ireland.
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43
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Bucs SS, Valladares Linares R, van Loosdrecht MCM, Kruithof JC, Vrouwenvelder JS. Impact of organic nutrient load on biomass accumulation, feed channel pressure drop increase and permeate flux decline in membrane systems. WATER RESEARCH 2014; 67:227-242. [PMID: 25282091 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2014.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2014] [Revised: 07/18/2014] [Accepted: 09/04/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The influence of organic nutrient load on biomass accumulation (biofouling) and pressure drop development in membrane filtration systems was investigated. Nutrient load is the product of nutrient concentration and linear flow velocity. Biofouling - excessive growth of microbial biomass in membrane systems - hampers membrane performance. The influence of biodegradable organic nutrient load on biofouling was investigated at varying (i) crossflow velocity, (ii) nutrient concentration, (iii) shear, and (iv) feed spacer thickness. Experimental studies were performed with membrane fouling simulators (MFSs) containing a reverse osmosis (RO) membrane and a 31 mil thick feed spacer, commonly applied in practice in RO and nanofiltration (NF) spiral-wound membrane modules. Numerical modeling studies were done with identical feed spacer geometry differing in thickness (28, 31 and 34 mil). Additionally, experiments were done applying a forward osmosis (FO) membrane with varying spacer thickness (28, 31 and 34 mil), addressing the permeate flux decline and biofilm development. Assessed were the development of feed channel pressure drop (MFS studies), permeate flux (FO studies) and accumulated biomass amount measured by adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and total organic carbon (TOC). Our studies showed that the organic nutrient load determined the accumulated amount of biomass. The same amount of accumulated biomass was found at constant nutrient load irrespective of linear flow velocity, shear, and/or feed spacer thickness. The impact of the same amount of accumulated biomass on feed channel pressure drop and permeate flux was influenced by membrane process design and operational conditions. Reducing the nutrient load by pretreatment slowed-down the biofilm formation. The impact of accumulated biomass on membrane performance was reduced by applying a lower crossflow velocity and/or a thicker and/or a modified geometry feed spacer. The results indicate that cleanings can be delayed but are unavoidable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sz S Bucs
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Water Desalination and Reuse Center, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia; Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, 2628 BC Delft, The Netherlands
| | - R Valladares Linares
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Water Desalination and Reuse Center, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia; Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, 2628 BC Delft, The Netherlands
| | - M C M van Loosdrecht
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, 2628 BC Delft, The Netherlands
| | - J C Kruithof
- Wetsus, Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Agora 1, P.O. Box 1113, 8900 CC Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
| | - J S Vrouwenvelder
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Water Desalination and Reuse Center, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia; Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, 2628 BC Delft, The Netherlands; Wetsus, Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Agora 1, P.O. Box 1113, 8900 CC Leeuwarden, The Netherlands.
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Dreszer C, Wexler AD, Drusová S, Overdijk T, Zwijnenburg A, Flemming HC, Kruithof JC, Vrouwenvelder JS. In-situ biofilm characterization in membrane systems using Optical Coherence Tomography: formation, structure, detachment and impact of flux change. WATER RESEARCH 2014; 67:243-54. [PMID: 25282092 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2014.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2014] [Revised: 08/03/2014] [Accepted: 09/04/2014] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Biofouling causes performance loss in spiral wound nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO) membrane operation for process and drinking water production. The development of biofilm formation, structure and detachment was studied in-situ, non-destructively with Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) in direct relation with the hydraulic biofilm resistance and membrane performance parameters: transmembrane pressure drop (TMP) and feed-channel pressure drop (FCP). The objective was to evaluate the suitability of OCT for biofouling studies, applying a membrane biofouling test cell operated at constant crossflow velocity (0.1 m s(-1)) and permeate flux (20 L m(-2)h(-1)). In time, the biofilm thickness on the membrane increased continuously causing a decline in membrane performance. Local biofilm detachment was observed at the biofilm-membrane interface. A mature biofilm was subjected to permeate flux variation (20 to 60 to 20 L m(-2)h(-1)). An increase in permeate flux caused a decrease in biofilm thickness and an increase in biofilm resistance, indicating biofilm compaction. Restoring the original permeate flux did not completely restore the original biofilm parameters: After elevated flux operation the biofilm thickness was reduced to 75% and the hydraulic resistance increased to 116% of the original values. Therefore, after a temporarily permeate flux increase the impact of the biofilm on membrane performance was stronger. OCT imaging of the biofilm with increased permeate flux revealed that the biofilm became compacted, lost internal voids, and became more dense. Therefore, membrane performance losses were not only related to biofilm thickness but also to the internal biofilm structure, e.g. caused by changes in pressure. Optical Coherence Tomography proved to be a suitable tool for quantitative in-situ biofilm thickness and morphology studies which can be carried out non-destructively and in real-time in transparent membrane biofouling monitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Dreszer
- Wetsus, Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Agora 1, P.O. Box 1113, 8900 CC Leeuwarden, The Netherlands; Biofilm Centre, University Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstrasse 5, 45141 Essen, Germany
| | - A D Wexler
- Wetsus, Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Agora 1, P.O. Box 1113, 8900 CC Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
| | - S Drusová
- Wetsus, Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Agora 1, P.O. Box 1113, 8900 CC Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
| | - T Overdijk
- Wetsus, Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Agora 1, P.O. Box 1113, 8900 CC Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
| | - A Zwijnenburg
- Wetsus, Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Agora 1, P.O. Box 1113, 8900 CC Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
| | - H-C Flemming
- Biofilm Centre, University Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstrasse 5, 45141 Essen, Germany
| | - J C Kruithof
- Wetsus, Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Agora 1, P.O. Box 1113, 8900 CC Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
| | - J S Vrouwenvelder
- Wetsus, Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Agora 1, P.O. Box 1113, 8900 CC Leeuwarden, The Netherlands; Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, 2628 BC Delft, The Netherlands; King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Water Desalination and Reuse Center, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.
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45
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Yang Y, Lohwacharin J, Takizawa S. Hybrid ferrihydrite-MF/UF membrane filtration for the simultaneous removal of dissolved organic matter and phosphate. WATER RESEARCH 2014; 65:177-185. [PMID: 25113947 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2014.07.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2014] [Revised: 06/16/2014] [Accepted: 07/19/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Dissolved organic matter (DOM) and phosphorus promote microbial regrowth in water distribution networks. Ferrihydrite (Fh) has a high adsorption affinity with DOM and phosphate. Hence, a lab-scale unit of the hybrid Fh-MF/UF membrane filtration system was used to evaluate membrane fouling and the removal efficiency of DOM and phosphate. Suwannee River natural organic matter (SRNOM) was used as a surrogate for DOM in natural water. The Fh-membrane system demonstrated removal rates of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), UV254 and phosphate up to 50%, 80% and 90%, respectively, at the Fh dose of 17.5 mg/L. The effect of phosphate on the removal of DOM was different without or with the addition of Fh; namely, phosphate increased the DOM removal without Fh by interacting with the UF membrane made of regenerated cellulose (RC), but phosphate decreased the DOM removal by Fh due to the strong affinity of phosphate with Fh. Size exclusion chromatography revealed that phosphate mainly competed against smaller DOM molecules for Fh adsorption sites. Although the addition of Fh caused only a moderate flux decline with the RC membranes, the deposition of positively charged Fh on the surface of a negatively charged high-flux membrane, i.e., polyethersulfone (PES), caused a rapid decline of the permeation flux.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, No.19, Xinjiekouwai Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Jenyuk Lohwacharin
- Department of Urban Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, the University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.
| | - Satoshi Takizawa
- Department of Urban Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, the University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.
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46
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Beyer F, Rietman BM, Zwijnenburg A, van den Brink P, Vrouwenvelder JS, Jarzembowska M, Laurinonyte J, Stams AJ, Plugge CM. Long-term performance and fouling analysis of full-scale direct nanofiltration (NF) installations treating anoxic groundwater. J Memb Sci 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2014.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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47
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Shang R, Verliefde AR, Hu J, Heijman SG, Rietveld LC. The impact of EfOM, NOM and cations on phosphate rejection by tight ceramic ultrafiltration. Sep Purif Technol 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2014.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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48
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Habimana O, Semião A, Casey E. The role of cell-surface interactions in bacterial initial adhesion and consequent biofilm formation on nanofiltration/reverse osmosis membranes. J Memb Sci 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2013.11.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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49
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Shang R, Verliefde ARD, Hu J, Zeng Z, Lu J, Kemperman AJB, Deng H, Nijmeijer K, Heijman SGJ, Rietveld LC. Tight ceramic UF membrane as RO pre-treatment: the role of electrostatic interactions on phosphate rejection. WATER RESEARCH 2014; 48:498-507. [PMID: 24156950 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2013.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2013] [Revised: 09/28/2013] [Accepted: 10/02/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Phosphate limitation has been reported as an effective approach to inhibit biofouling in reverse osmosis (RO) systems for water purification. The rejection of dissolved phosphate by negatively charged TiO2 tight ultrafiltration (UF) membranes (1 kDa and 3 kDa) was observed. These membranes can potentially be adopted as an effective process for RO pre-treatment in order to constrain biofouling by phosphate limitation. This paper focuses on electrostatic interactions during tight UF filtration. Despite the larger pore size, the 3 kDa ceramic membrane exhibited greater phosphate rejection than the 1 kDa membrane, because the 3 kDa membrane has a greater negative surface charge and thus greater electrostatic repulsion against phosphate. The increase of pH from 6 to 8.5 led to a substantial increase in phosphate rejection by both membranes due to increased electrostatic repulsion. At pH 8.5, the maximum phosphate rejections achieved by the 1 kDa and 3 kDa membrane were 75% and 86%, respectively. A Debye ratio (ratio of the Debye length to the pore radius) is introduced in order to evaluate double layer overlapping in tight UF membranes. Threshold Debye ratios were determined as 2 and 1 for the 1 kDa and 3 kDa membranes, respectively. A Debye ratio below the threshold Debye ratio leads to dramatically decreased phosphate rejection by tight UF membranes. The phosphate rejection by the tight UF, in combination with chemical phosphate removal by coagulation, might accomplish phosphate-limited conditions for biological growth and thus prevent biofouling in the RO systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Shang
- Department of Sanitary Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, P.O. Box 5048, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands.
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50
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Sweity A, Oren Y, Ronen Z, Herzberg M. The influence of antiscalants on biofouling of RO membranes in seawater desalination. WATER RESEARCH 2013; 47:3389-3398. [PMID: 23615335 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2013.03.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2013] [Revised: 03/16/2013] [Accepted: 03/19/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Antiscalants are surface active polyelectrolyte compounds commonly used in reverse osmosis (RO) desalination processes to avoid membrane scaling. In spite of the significant roles of antiscalants in preventing membrane scaling, they are prone to enhance biofilm growth on RO membranes by either altering membrane surface properties or by serving as nutritional source for microorganisms. In this study, the contribution of antiscalants to membrane biofouling in seawater desalination was investigated. The effects of two commonly used antiscalants, polyphosphonate- and polyacrylate-based, were tested. The effects of RO membrane (DOW-Filmtec SW30 HRLE-400) exposure to antiscalants on its physico-chemical properties were studied, including the consequent effects on initial deposition and growth of the sessile microorganisms on the RO membrane surface. The effects of antiscalants on membrane physico-chemical properties were investigated by filtration of seawater supplemented with the antiscalants through flat-sheet RO membrane and changes in surface zeta potential and hydrophobicity were delineated. Adsorption of antiscalants to polyamide surfaces simulating RO membrane's polyamide layer and their effects on the consequent bacterial adhesion was tested using a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring technology (QCM-D) and direct fluorescent microscopy. A significant increase in biofilm formation rate on RO membranes surface was observed in the presence of both types of antiscalants. Polyacrylate-based antiscalant was shown to enhance initial cell attachment as observed with the QCM-D and a parallel plate flow cell, due to rendering the polyamide surface more hydrophobic. Polyphosphonate-based antiscalants also increased biofilm formation rate, most likely by serving as an additional source of phosphorous to the seawater microbial population. A thicker biofilm layer was formed on the RO membrane when the polyacrylate-based antiscalant was used. Following these results, a wise selection of antiscalants for scaling control should take into account their contribution to membrane biofouling propensity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amer Sweity
- Department of Desalination and Water Treatment, Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, Albert Katz International School for Desert Studies, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Sede-Boqer Campus 84990, Israel
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