Print Email Facebook Twitter Effect of phosphate availability on biofilm formation in cooling towers Title Effect of phosphate availability on biofilm formation in cooling towers Author Pinel, I.S.M. (TU Delft BT/Environmental Biotechnology) Kim, Lan Hee (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) Proença Borges, Vitor R. (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) Farhat, Nadia M. (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) Witkamp, Geert Jan (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) van Loosdrecht, Mark C.M. (TU Delft BT/Environmental Biotechnology) Vrouwenvelder, J.S. (TU Delft BT/Environmental Biotechnology; King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) Date 2020 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. Subject biofilm compositionBiofoulingmicrobial community analysesnutrient limitationsprincipal component analysiswater quality To reference this document use: http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:2bd08d43-f8c3-4050-9d5e-f9bdc64926e0 DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/08927014.2020.1815011 ISSN 0892-7014 Source Biofouling: the journal of bioadhesion and biofilm research, 36 (7), 800-815 Part of collection Institutional Repository Document type journal article Rights © 2020 I.S.M. Pinel, Lan Hee Kim, Vitor R. Proença Borges, Nadia M. Farhat, Geert Jan Witkamp, Mark C.M. van Loosdrecht, J.S. Vrouwenvelder Files PDF Effect_of_phosphate_avail ... towers.pdf 2.6 MB Close viewer /islandora/object/uuid:2bd08d43-f8c3-4050-9d5e-f9bdc64926e0/datastream/OBJ/view