Mechanism of biofilm formation on a hydrophobic polytetrafluoroethylene membrane during the purification of surface water using direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD), with especial interest in the feed properties

Abstract

The impact of feed water quality on biofilm formation during membrane distillation (MD) was investigated in this study, particularly emphasizing the interrelationship between organics, salts, and microbes. Two types of typical natural surface waters in Nanjing, China, were chosen as feed solutions for long-term MD operation, including the Qinhuai River and Xuanwu Lake. The biofilms that developed under different feed water qualities exhibited distinct Foulant compositions and structures, causing different flux decline trends for the MD system. Accordingly, two typical patterns of biofilm formation were suggested for the MD operation of the two different kinds of surface waters in this study. Organics from a primal feed solution and dead bacteria were the key to the establishment of a biofilm on the membrane, and this needs to be effectively removed from the MD system through pre-treatment and process control strategies. Finally, a feasible strategy for MD biofouling control was suggested.     

Variation in sessile microflora during biofilm formation on AISI-304 stainless steel coupons

Coupons of stainless steel type AISI-304 were exposed to the industrial cooling system of a petrochemical plant fed by seawater from the Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in order to study thein situ formation of biofilms. Bacteria, microalgae and fungi were detected on the coupons as soon as 48 h after exposure. Their respective numbers were determined at times 48, 96 and 192 h and over the following 8 weeks. Aerobic, anaerobic and sulfate-reducing bacteria were quantified according to the technique of the most probable number, and fungi by the pour plate technique. The number of microorganisms present in the forming biofilm varied over the experimental period, reaching maximal levels of 14×10¹¹ cells cm^–2, 30×10¹³ cells cm^–2, 38×10¹¹ cells cm^–2 and 63×10⁵ cells cm^–2, respectively, for aerobic bacteria, anaerobic bacteria, sulfate-reducing bacteria and fungi, and the dynamics of this variation depended on the group of microorganisms.Bacillus sp,Escherichia coli, Serratia sp andPseudomonas putrefaciens were identified among the aerobic bacteria isolated. Additionally, microalgae and bacteria of the genusGallionella were also detected. Nonetheless, no evidence of corrosion was found on the stainless steel type AISI-304 coupons over the experimental period.     

百菌清对落叶松人工防护林土壤微生物群落的影响

利用稀释平板法和Biolog-Eco检测技术,分析了喷施百菌清对落叶松人工防护林土壤微生物群落的影响。结果表明,土壤微生物中细菌数量占据绝对优势,其数量直接影响落叶松人工防护林土壤微生物总量的变化趋势。总体上,百菌清对细菌的数量具有抑制作用。喷洒后0d,仅抑制表层与上层(0-10cm)土壤细菌的增殖;喷洒后2个月,对表层与上层土壤细菌的抑制作用减弱,而喷洒后4个月时,其抑制作用最强。喷洒后0d与2个月时,百菌清对表层与上层土壤真菌数量的增殖均具有促进作用。喷洒后2个月、4个月时均对下层土壤放线菌数量具有抑制作用。将土壤3大类群微生物数量、土壤理化指标及群落多样性指数进行相关分析表明,土壤中有效磷和速效钾与放线菌数量、水解氮与细菌数量存在显著正相关性,而与群落多样性无显著相关性。喷洒百菌清2个月后,对表层土壤微生物群落碳源利用率的影响不显著,而对上层(0-10cm)土壤微生物存在显著影响,下层(10-20cm)土壤微生物群落的碳源利用率在百菌清喷洒2个月与4个月后具有显著差异;而不同土层微生物群落对碳源利用率的差异不显著。微生物群落利用31种碳源的主成分分析表明,喷洒百菌清后,微生物群落利用单一碳源的能力显著提高,且喷洒2个月后微生物群落对某些碳源如肝糖与2-羟基苯甲酸等的利用率明显增加。方差分析表明,喷洒百菌清后,不同作用时间及不同处理,不同土层间土壤微生物对碳源的利用率具有显著差异。喷洒百菌清前(5月)土壤微生物对多聚物与氨基酸、碳水类、芳香类及胺类的利用率差异较大(P<0.05),且对多聚物的利用率最高;处理组的表层土壤微生物对碳源的利用率高于其它处理组;而喷洒2个月后,对胺类、芳香类的利用率与其它4类碳源具有显著差异。     

微生物电解池阳极生物膜功能菌群构建及群落特征分析

【目的】微生物电解电池(MEC)是近几年快速发展的利用电极呼吸微生物快速降解有机质,通过较小的辅助外加电压直接生成氢气的新工艺。MEC能够有效地富集高效率电子传递功能菌群,是未来工艺放大和快速启动的关键。【方法】采用不同驯化方法构建MEC电极微生物菌群,通过单链构象多肽性技术(Single-strand conformation poly-morphism,SSCP)快速检测分析启动后电子传递功能菌群特征。【结果】阳极生物膜接种MEC可以实现2 d的快速启动,库仑效率达到20%以上,7 d获得稳定产氢,氢气转化率达到30%,能量回收效率达到90%以上。通过SSCP群落分析发现,采用微生物燃料电池阳极生物膜构建的MEC主要电子传递功能相关的菌群包括Pseudomonas sp.、Flavobacterium sp.、Ochrobactrum sp.,而直接由产氢MEC阳极生物膜新启动的MEC功能菌群组成丰度更大,包括电子传递效能更高的Desulfovibrio、Pseudomonas和Shewanella成为主要优势电子传递菌群。通过稳定产氢运行,MEC阳极生物膜优势菌群中存在的较大比例的厌氧菌与电子传递辅助菌对体系的快速稳定运行十分重要。【结论】与MFC阳极生物膜相比,MEC生物膜作为启动菌源能够获得多样性更丰富的电极功能菌群,其库仑效率和产氢效率更具优势。     

Effect of ovotransferrin, protamine sulfate and EDTA combination on biofilm formation by catheter-associated bacteria

AIMS: To determine the effect of a composition comprising ovotransferrin (OT), protamine sulfate (PS) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) on biofilm formation by catheter-associated bacteria. METHODS AND RESULTS: The in vitro activity of OT, PS and EDTA alone and in combinations against biofilm formation by Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus epidermidis was investigated. All the three compounds either alone or in combinations failed to inhibit the growth completely at the concentrations tested. However, the subinhibitory concentrations of three compounds in a composition showed synergistic inhibitory effect on biofilm formation by K. pneumoniae, Ps. aeruginosa and S. epidermidis. Furthermore, 79-95% reduction in Ps. aeruginosa and S. epidermidis biofilm formation was observed in a clear vinyl urinary catheter treated with the composition. CONCLUSION: The subinhibitory concentrations of OT, PS and EDTA in a composition were effective in reducing biofilm formation by catheter-associated bacteria. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study shows that a synergistic composition-comprising non-antibiotic generally regarded as safe (GRAS) compounds such as OT, PS and EDTA may be used in the prevention of catheter-related infections.     

转基因棉花种植对根际土壤微生物群落功能多样性的影响

应用Biolog方法对两种转基因棉花及其亲本非转基因棉花根际土壤微生物的单一碳源利用水平进行了比较分析,探讨转基因棉花种植对其根际土壤微生物群落功能多样性的影响.结果表明：与非转基因亲本相比,在苗期、蕾期、吐絮期、衰老期转基因棉花种植对根际土壤微生物群落碳源利用能力、Shannon功能多样性指数和均匀度指数的影响均不显著,而在花铃期根际土壤微生物群落碳源利用能力和Shannon功能多样性指数显著降低.主成分分析表明,花铃期转基因棉花与非转基因棉花根际土壤微生物碳源利用在两主成分轴上的分异较大,碳源利用模式差异显著.     

Influence of Cr3+ on microbial cluster formation in biofilm and on steel corrosion

Pit corrosion of mild steel in seawater increased with Cr³⁺ concentration. SEM observations showed that increasing Cr³⁺ concentration caused microbes in biofilm on the steel surface to aggregate forming clusters. AFM images suggested that pit corrosion occurred largely on the mild steel surface between clusters, and only little corrosion on the surface covered by microbes.     

Bacterial communities in the initial stage of marine biofilm formation on artificial surfaces

Succession of bacterial communities during the first 36 h of biofilm formation in coastal water was investigated at 3 approximately 15 h intervals. Three kinds of surfaces (i.e., acryl, glass, and steel substratum) were submerged in situ at Sacheon harbor, Korea. Biofilms were harvested by scraping the surfaces, and the compositions of bacterial communities were analyzed by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP), and cloning and sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. While community structure based on T-RFLP analysis showed slight differences by substratum, dramatic changes were commonly observed for all substrata between 9 and 24 h. Identification of major populations by 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that gamma-Proteobacteria (Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Alteromonas, and uncultured gamma-Proteobacteria) were predominant in the community during 0 approximately 9 h, while the ratio of alpha-Proteobacteria (Loktanella, Methylobacterium, Pelagibacter, and uncultured alpha-Proteobacteria) increased 2.6 approximately 4.8 folds during 24 approximately 36 h of the biofilm formation, emerging as the most predominant group. Previously, alpha-Proteobacteria were recognized as the pioneering organisms in marine biofilm formation. However, results of this study, which revealed the bacterial succession with finer temporal resolution, indicated some species of gamma-Proteobacteria were more important as the pioneering population. Measures to control pioneering activities of these species can be useful in prevention of marine biofilm formation.     

植被恢复对西南喀斯特地区土壤气候韧性的提升作用

土壤质量提升是生态系统应对气候变化能力增强的关键。为探究气候变化背景下不同植被恢复方式对喀斯特地区土壤质量的影响,基于黔桂喀斯特地区气候梯度样带84个样方土壤物理、化学和生物性质综合分析,分别以耕地和次生林作为退化和顶级恢复对照,探讨了自然恢复(灌木林)和人工恢复(人工林)的土壤质量提升效应及其对气候变化的响应。结果表明:(1)植被恢复不仅显著提高了土壤细菌、真菌、放线菌等微生物丰度以及有机碳、全氮、速效氮等养分含量,也对土壤质地有一定改善;(2)自然恢复和人工恢复均提高了土壤质量,两种恢复方式之间土壤质量指数无显著差异,但与次生林依然存在差距。灌木林和人工林的土壤质量仅约为次生林土壤质量的62%-66%;(3)耕地土壤质量随年均温和年平均降雨量的增加而下降,次生林的土壤质量随年平均降雨量的增加而上升,植被恢复对土壤质量的提升率与年均温和年平均降雨量呈正相关关系。阐明了在一定范围的气候变化下进行植被恢复可以显著提升喀斯特地区土壤的气候韧性,揭示了喀斯特地区植被恢复对土壤质量的提升主要是由于提高了土壤碳氮养分含量及改善了土壤微生物群落结构,这为全球气候变化背景下喀斯特退化土地生态恢复和管理提供了理论依据。     

Effect of farnesol on Candida dubliniensis biofilm formation and fluconazole resistance

Candida dubliniensis and Candida albicans are dimorphic fungal species with a number of pathogenic capabilities, including biofilm formation, systemic infection and development of fluconazole resistance. In this study, the ability of farnesol to disrupt these virulence capabilities was investigated. Biofilm assessment and susceptibility studies indicated antifungal and antibiofilm properties for farnesol on both species with a disruptive effect on the cell membrane. Synergy testing of farnesol and fluconazole in resistant strains resulted in reversal of fluconazole resistance, indicating a potential application for farnesol as an adjuvant therapeutic agent.     

Effect of operating variables on biofilm formation and performance of an anaerobic fluidized-bed bioreactor

The effect of various operating variables such as initial inoculum circulation, dilution rate, chemical oxygen demand (COD) loading rate, and quantity and quality of inoculum on the process of film formation on sand surface and reactor performance were studied using synthetic glucose based wastewater. It was found that the film formation process is favored by a high dilution rate, a large quantity of inoculum, and an inoculum having high methane producing capacity. Experimental observations indicate that the biofilm formation process is initiated by methanogenic bacteria.     

Biofilm formation on brass coupons exposed to a cooling system of an oil refinery

Brass coupons (70% Cu 30% Zn) were exposed to a cooling freshwater system of an oil refinery, in order to investigate susceptibility of the metal to biofilm formation. The coupons were fixed on bypasses at points which allowed the circulation of makeup, cooling and return water. The number of aerobic, anaerobic and sulfate-reducing bacteria was determined in both the planktonic and the sessile phases. Maximum bacterial concentrations were detected in the cooling water, corresponding to 2.1 ± 0.1 × 10⁶ CFU ml⁻¹ (planktonic phase) and 1.3 ± 0.2 × 10⁵ CFU cm⁻² (sessile phase) for aerobic bacteria and to 3.2 ± 0.3 × 10⁵ cells ml⁻¹ (planktonic phase) and 6.2 ± 0.7 × 10⁵ cells cm⁻² (sessile phase) for anaerobic bacteria. Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) were observed only in the planktonic phase, being found in greater numbers in the return water. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis indicated that biofilm formation occurred at the three monitored sites and showed a diversity in cell morphology. Nonetheless, no evidence of corrosion was observed on the brass coupons during the experimental period. Received 22 May 1997/ Accepted in revised form 19 September 1997     

Effect of chlorhexidine and benzalkonium chloride on bacterial biofilm formation

AIM: To study the effect of antiseptics on bacterial biofilm formation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Biofilm formation and planktonic growth were tested in microtiter plates in the presence of antiseptics. For Escherichia coli G1473 in the presence of chlorhexidine or benzalkonium chloride, for Klebsiella pneumoniae CF504 in the presence of chlorhexidine and for Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 in the presence of benzalkonium chloride, biofilm development and planktonic growth were affected at the same concentrations of antiseptics. For PAO1 in the presence of chlorhexidine and CF504 in the presence of benzalkonium chloride, planktonic growth was significantly inhibited by a fourfold lower antiseptic concentration than biofilm development. For Staphylococcus epidermidis CIP53124 in the presence of antiseptics at the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), a total inhibition of biofilm formation was observed. For Staph. epidermidis exposed to chlorhexidine at 1/2, 1/4 and 1/8 MIC, or to benzalkonium chloride at 1/8, 1/16 or 1/32 MIC, biofilm formation was increased from 11.4% to 22.5% without any significant effect onto planktonic growth. CONCLUSIONS: Chlorhexidine and benzalkonium chloride inhibited biofilm formation of different bacterial species but were able to induce biofilm development for the Staph. epidermidis CIP53124 strain at sub-MICs. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Sublethal exposure to cationic antiseptics may contribute to the persistence of staphylococci through biofilm induction.     

贺兰山西坡植被群落特征及其与环境因子的关系

通过SPSS聚类分析和CANOCO排序研究了贺兰山西坡植被分布与环境因子的关系,结果表明:在海拔梯度上,贺兰山西坡植被大致可以划分珍珠猪毛菜(Salsola passerina)-红砂(Reaumuria soongorica)群落、短花针茅(Stipa breviflora)-大针茅(Stipa grandis)群落和蒙古扁桃(Prunus mongolica )-灰榆(Ulmus glaucescens)群落3种类型.从典范对应分析(CCA)排序结果来看,不同植被群落与环境因子的关系存在明显的分异.在珍珠猪毛菜-红砂群落,第一排序轴反映了土壤盐碱化梯度,沿着藏锦鸡儿群落-珍珠猪毛菜、猫头刺群落-珍珠猪毛菜、红砂群落序列,土壤盐碱化程度不断增强;第二排序轴则反映了土壤结构梯度,沿着藏锦鸡儿群落-珍珠猪毛菜、红砂群落-珍珠猪毛菜、猫头刺群落序列,土壤质地逐渐粗化;在短花针茅-大针茅群落,第一排序轴反映了土壤水分梯度,第二排序轴反映了海拔梯度上的水热组合梯度;在蒙古扁桃-灰榆群落,第一排序轴反映了土壤pH梯度,沿着灰榆、蒙古扁桃群落-蒙古扁桃、金露梅群落-蒙古扁桃群落序列,土壤pH值逐渐下降;第二排序轴主要反映了土壤结构梯度,沿着蒙古扁桃群落-灰榆、蒙古扁桃群落-蒙古扁桃、金露梅群落序列,土壤中粉粒、粘粒含量逐渐增加,土壤质地呈细化趋势.     

The effect of material choice on biofilm formation in a model warm water distribution system

Water distribution systems (WDS) are composed of a variety of materials and may harbour potential pathogens within surface-attached microbial biofilms. Biofilm formation on four plumbing materials, viz. copper, stainless steel 316 (SS316), ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) and cross-linked polyethylene (PEX), was investigated using scanning electron microscope (SEM)/confocal microscopy, ATP-/culture-based analysis, and molecular analysis. Material ‘inserts’ were incorporated into a mains water fed, model WDS. All materials supported biofilm growth to various degrees. After 84 days, copper and SS316 showed no significant overall differences in terms of the level of biofilm formation observed, whilst PEX supported a significantly higher level ofbiofilm. EPDM exhibited gross contamination by a complex, multispecies biofilm, at a level significantly higherthan was observed on the other materials, regardless of the analytical method used. PCR-DGGE analysis showed clear differences in the composition of the biofilm community on all materials after 84 days. The primary conclusion of this study has been to identify EPDM as a potentially unsuitable material for use as a major component in WDS.     

北江水系生活史类型研究

以15种已知生活史类型鱼类为参照,选择渐近体长(L∞)、渐近体重(W∞)、生长系数(k)、自然死亡系数(M)、初次性成熟年龄(Tm)、最大年龄(Tmax)和种群繁殖力系数(PF)等7个生态学参数作指标,采用模糊聚类分析法、主成分分析法、判别分析法和Beverton-Holt动态综合模型等4种方法判断为r-选择类型鱼类....