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Title: Method for studying microbial biofilms in flowing-water systems

Abstract

A method for the study of microbial biofilms in flowing-water systems was developed with special reference to the flow conditions in electrochemical concentration cells. Seawater was circulated in a semiclosed flow system through biofilm reactors (3 cm s/sup -1/) with microscope cover slips arranged in lamellar piles parallel with the flow. At fixed time intervals cover slips with their biofilm were removed from the pile, stained with crystal violet, and mounted on microscope slides. The absorbances of the slides were measured at 590 nm and plotted against time to give microbial biofilm development. From calibration experiments a staining time of 1 min and a rinse time of 10 min in a tap water flow (3 cm s/sup -1/) were considered sufficient. When an analysis of variance was performed on biofilm development data, 78% of the total variance was found to be due to random natural effects; the rest could be explained by experimental effects. The absorbance values correlated well with protein N, dry weight, and organic weight in two biofilm experiments, one with a biofilm with a high (75%) and one with a low (approx.25%, normal) inorganic content. Comparisons of regression lines revealed that the absorbance of the stained biofilmsmore » was an estimate closely related to biofilm dry weight.« less

Authors:
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Univ. of Goteborg, Sweden
OSTI Identifier:
5536769
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 43:1
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
13 HYDRO ENERGY; 54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; MICROORGANISMS; FILMS; OCEAN THERMAL POWER PLANTS; ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS; AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS; BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS; CORROSION; FILM FLOW; FLOW RATE; WATER; CHEMICAL REACTIONS; ECOSYSTEMS; FLUID FLOW; HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS; OXYGEN COMPOUNDS; POWER PLANTS; SOLAR POWER PLANTS; THERMAL POWER PLANTS; 130600* - Hydro Energy- Environmental Aspects; 520400 - Environment, Aquatic- Thermal Effluents Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)

Citation Formats

Pedersen, K. Method for studying microbial biofilms in flowing-water systems. United States: N. p., 1982. Web.
Pedersen, K. Method for studying microbial biofilms in flowing-water systems. United States.
Pedersen, K. 1982. "Method for studying microbial biofilms in flowing-water systems". United States.
@article{osti_5536769,
title = {Method for studying microbial biofilms in flowing-water systems},
author = {Pedersen, K},
abstractNote = {A method for the study of microbial biofilms in flowing-water systems was developed with special reference to the flow conditions in electrochemical concentration cells. Seawater was circulated in a semiclosed flow system through biofilm reactors (3 cm s/sup -1/) with microscope cover slips arranged in lamellar piles parallel with the flow. At fixed time intervals cover slips with their biofilm were removed from the pile, stained with crystal violet, and mounted on microscope slides. The absorbances of the slides were measured at 590 nm and plotted against time to give microbial biofilm development. From calibration experiments a staining time of 1 min and a rinse time of 10 min in a tap water flow (3 cm s/sup -1/) were considered sufficient. When an analysis of variance was performed on biofilm development data, 78% of the total variance was found to be due to random natural effects; the rest could be explained by experimental effects. The absorbance values correlated well with protein N, dry weight, and organic weight in two biofilm experiments, one with a biofilm with a high (75%) and one with a low (approx.25%, normal) inorganic content. Comparisons of regression lines revealed that the absorbance of the stained biofilms was an estimate closely related to biofilm dry weight.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5536769}, journal = {Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)},
number = ,
volume = 43:1,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1982},
month = {Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1982}
}