Using Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 to evaluate hydrogen peroxide as a biofouling control agent in membrane treatment systems.

Abstract

H2 O2 is evaluated as a potential replacement for chlorine to control biofouling in membrane-based water treatment systems. The biocidal efficacy of H2 O2 was evaluated as a function of H2 O2 concentration, cell density and temperature using the model organism Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. Results demonstrated that at low temperatures and low cell densities, bacterial growth and membrane biofouling can be prevented by low H2 O2 concentrations, and existing biofilms could be removed by H2 O2 -bicarbonate mixtures. Findings suggested that H2 O2 could be used as a low cost agent for prevention and controlling biofouling in reverse osmosis applications.