Transparent exopolymer particles (TEPs)-associated protobiofilm: A neglected contributor to biofouling during membrane filtration

doi:10.1007/s11783-020-1361-7

Front. Environ. Sci. Eng.

2021, Vol. 15

Issue (4) : 64 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-020-1361-7

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Transparent exopolymer particles (TEPs)-associated protobiofilm: A neglected contributor to biofouling during membrane filtration

Shujuan Meng¹, Rui Wang¹, Kaijing Zhang¹, Xianghao Meng¹, Wenchao Xue², Hongju Liu¹, Dawei Liang¹(

), Qian Zhao³, Yu Liu⁴

¹. School of Space and Environment, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
². Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Change, School of Environment, Resources and Development, Asian Institute of Technology, P.O. Box 4, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
³. School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan 250101, China
⁴. School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore

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Abstract

• Bacteria could easily and quickly attached onto TEP to form protobiofilms.

• TEP-protobiofilm facilitate the transport of bacteria to membrane surface.

• More significant flux decline was observed in the presence of TEP-protobiofilms.

• Membrane fouling shows higher sensitivity to protobiofilm not to bacteria level.

Transparent exopolymer particles (TEPs) are a class of transparent gel-like polysaccharides, which have been widely detected in almost every kind of feed water to membrane systems, including freshwater, seawater and wastewater. Although TEP have been thought to be related to the membrane fouling, little information is currently available for their influential mechanisms and the pertinence to biofouling development. The present study, thus, aims to explore the impact of TEPs on biofouling development during ultrafiltration. TEP samples were inoculated with bacteria for several hours before filtration and the formation of “protobiofilm” (pre-colonized TEP by bacteria) was examined and its influence on biofouling was determined. It was observed that the bacteria can easily and quickly attach onto TEPs and form protobiofilms. Ultrafiltration experiments further revealed that TEP-protobiofilms served as carriers which facilitated and accelerated transport of bacteria to membrane surface, leading to rapid development of biofouling on the ultrafiltration membrane surfaces. Moreover, compared to the feed water containing independent bacteria and TEPs, more flux decline was observed with TEP-protobiofilms. Consequently, it appeared from this study that TEP-protobiofilms play a vital role in the development of membrane biofouling, but unfortunately, this phenomenon has been often overlooked in the literature. Obviously, these findings in turn may also challenge the current understanding of organic fouling and biofouling as membrane fouling caused by TEP-protobiofilm is a combination of both. It is expected that this study might promote further research in general membrane fouling mechanisms and the development of an effective mitigation strategy.

Keywords Transparent exopolymer particles (TEPs) TEP-protobiofilm Bacteria attachment Biofouling of membrane

Corresponding Author(s): Dawei Liang

Just Accepted Date: 25 September 2020 Issue Date: 13 November 2020

Cite this article:

Shujuan Meng,Rui Wang,Kaijing Zhang, et al. Transparent exopolymer particles (TEPs)-associated protobiofilm: A neglected contributor to biofouling during membrane filtration[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2021, 15(4): 64.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fese/EN/10.1007/s11783-020-1361-7
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fese/EN/Y2021/V15/I4/64

Fig.1 The molecular composition of alginate.

Fig.2 TEP formation from alginate sodium, MG-, MM- and GG-blocks with 1 mmol/L calcium ions.

Fig.3 The morphology of TEP obtained from alginate and its blocks observed with light-field microscope after staining with alcian blue.

Fig.4 Microscopic observations of the attachment of bacteria on TEP. (a) Microscopic image of TEP without contact with bacteria; (b) Microscopic image of TEP after 8-h contact with bacteria and (c) Flux profiles of ultrafiltration under various experimental conditions.

Fig.5 FESEM images of fouling layer developed on membrane surface. (a, b) Ultrafiltration of TEP without pre-contact with bacteria; (c, d) ultrafiltration of TEP after 8-h contact with bacteria.

Fig.6 Filtration profiles of the MG-, MM- and GG-blocks solutions after 8-h contact with bacteria in the presence of 1 mmol/L calcium ions.

Fig.7 The different fouling layers formed on membrane surfaces by MG-, MM- and GG-blocks after contact with bacteria.

Fig.8 Filtration profiles of alginate solutions after contact with different bacterial concentrations in the presence of 1 mmol/L calcium ions.

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