Resistance of a multiple-isolate marine culture to ultraviolet C irradiation: inactivation vs biofilm formation.

Unlabelled: Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation is an emerging strategy for controlling the formation of undesired biofilms in water desalination facilities using reverse osmosis (RO). However, most studies examining these pretreatments are limited as they have been conducted on single-species cultures, while biofilms are composed of multiple-species communities. The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of UV-C irradiation on a model community composed of six environmental isolates from a marine biofilm formed in RO seawater desalination plant.

Gene expression in Pseudomonas aeruginosa exposed to hydroxyl-radicals.

Recent studies have shown the efficiency of hydroxyl radicals generated via ultraviolet (UV)-based advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) combined with hydrogen peroxide (UV/HO) as a treatment process in water. The effects of AOP treatments on bacterial gene expression was examined using Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PAO1 as a model-organism bacterium. Many bacterial genes are not expressed all the time, but their expression is regulated.

Automatic microfiber filtration (AMF) of surface water: impact on water quality and biofouling evolution.

In the current study we examined the impact of thread filtration using an automatic microfiber filter on Lake Kinneret water quality and as a new application to control biofouling over time. We found that automatic microfiber filtration (AMF) reduced total iron and aluminum in water by over 80%. Particle analysis (>2 μm) revealed a total particle removal efficiency of ≈ 90%, with AMF removal efficiency increasing with increasing particle size and decreasing particle circularity.

Biofilm control in water by advanced oxidation process (AOP) pre-treatment: effect of natural organic matter (NOM).

The main goal of this study was to examine the influence of natural organic matter (NOM) on the efficiency of H₂O₂/UV advanced oxidation process (AOP) as a preventive treatment for biofilm control. Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 biofilm-forming bacteria were suspended in water and exposed to various AOP conditions with different NOM concentrations, and compared to natural waters. H₂O₂/UV prevented biofilm formation: (a) up to 24 h post treatment - when residual H₂O₂ was neutralized; (b) completely (days) - when residual H₂O₂ was maintained.

Biofilm control in water by a UV-based advanced oxidation process.

An ultraviolet (UV)-based advanced oxidation process (AOP), with hydrogen peroxide and medium-pressure (MP) UV light (H(2)O(2)/UV), was used as a pretreatment strategy for biofilm control in water. Suspended Pseudomonas aeruginosa cells were exposed to UV-based AOP treatment, and the adherent biofilm formed by the surviving cells was monitored. Control experiments using H(2)O(2) or MP UV irradiation alone could inhibit biofilm formation for only short periods of time (<24 h) post-treatment.