| Abstract: | Biofilm formation on stainless steel samples immersed in cooling water has been evaluated by exposing metal samples to cooling seawater for 30 days. Anaerobic bacteria were then at 1.6 × 106/cm2, with sulphate-reducing species predominating. Aerobic bacteria and fungi were 2600 and 140/cm2, respectively. After 60 days, numbers of aerobic microorganisms remained constant whereas the count of anaerobic microorganisms had increased to 1.8×109/cm2. Scanning electron microscopy showed the presence of morphologically different microorganisms in deposits and as a mucilaginous net. No signs of corrosion were detected on the stainless steel surface.The authors are with the Departamento de Engenharia Bioquimica Centro de Tecnologia, Bloco E. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Ilha do Fundão, 21941-900 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
