Effect of phosphate availability on biofilm formation in cooling towers

Ingrid S.M. Pinel*, Lan Hee Kim, Vitor R. Proença Borges, Nadia M. Farhat, Geert Jan Witkamp, Mark C.M. van Loosdrecht, Johannes S. Vrouwenvelder

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)
121 Downloads (Pure)

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)800-815
Number of pages16
JournalBiofouling
Volume36
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020

Keywords

  • biofilm composition
  • Biofouling
  • microbial community analyses
  • nutrient limitations
  • principal component analysis
  • water quality

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