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Microbial Communities in Seawater Reverse Osmosis Desalination Plants

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— 1 min read

Microbial communities in different stages of treatment processes in desalination plants were examined by researchers in Irvine, California. They found that bacterial communities in the SWRO membrane biofilm were dominated by filamentous bacteria of the genus Leucothrix mucor, accounting for nearly 30% of the clone library. The rest of the microorganisms were related to the alphaproteobacteria. However, 16S rRNA gene terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis showed that bacteria colonizing the SWRO membrane represented a subportion of microbes in the source seawater. The examination of five SWRO membranes from different desalination plants revealed that some dominant bacteria were commonly observed, but source seawater bacterial communities were significantly different based on location and season.

Key Takeaways:

  • Bacterial isolates in the study were identified to match the genera Shewanella, Alteromonas, Vibrio, and Cellulophaga based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis.
  • A filamentous bacterium, Leucothrix mucor, accounted for nearly 30% of the 16S rRNA gene clone library of the SWRO membrane biofilm, while the rest of the microorganisms (61.2% of the total clones) were related to the alphaproteobacteria.
  • The examination of five SWRO membranes from different desalination plants revealed that some dominant bacteria were commonly observed.
  • Bacterial communities in source seawater were significantly different based on location and season.
  • Microbial profiles from 14 cartridge filters collected from different plants also revealed spatial trends.
  • Researchers found that bacteria colonizing the SWRO membrane represented a subportion of microbes in the source seawater.
  • SWRO membrane biofilm communities were distinct from cartridge filter communities.
  • Study highlights the need for better understanding of GWRO membrane biofouling.
  • Researchers argue that "a monoculture approach" may not be effective in preventing biofouling.
  • Dominant bacteria commonly observed across different desalination plants included genus Cellulophaga.

Statistics:

  • Nearly 30% of the 16S rRNA gene clone library of the SWRO membrane biofilm was accounted for by Leucothrix mucor.
  • 61.2% of the total clones in the 16S rRNA gene clone library of the SWRO membrane biofilm were related to the alphaproteobacteria.
  • 14 cartridge filters from different plants showed spatial trends in microbial profiles.

Sources:

  • Zhang, M. L., et al. "Composition and Variability of Biofouling Organisms in Seawater Reverse Osmosis Desalination Plants." Applied and Environmental Microbiology, vol. 77, no. 13, 2011, pp. 4390-4398.
  • American Society Microbiology, 1752 N St. NW, Washington, DC 20036-2904, USA (publisher's contact information for the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology).
  • S. Jiang, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States (contact information).

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