Method for studying microbial biofilms in flowing-water systems
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.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Goteborg, Sweden
- OSTI ID:
- 5536769
- Journal Information:
- Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Vol. 43:1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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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
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SOLAR POWER PLANTS
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