Characterising and understanding the impact of microbial biofilms and the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix in drinking water distribution systems

Fish, Katherine E.; Osborn, A. Mark; Boxall, Joby

doi:10.1039/c6ew00039h

Cited by 85 publications

(76 citation statements)

References 142 publications

(273 reference statements)

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“…Many factors driving the development of plastisphere communities are likely to be similar between freshwater and marine habitats. For example, in agreement with research into biofilm formation on other artificial substrata [19,22], there is evidence for the importance of surface properties (including roughness and hydrophobicity) during early colonization of microplastics [12,23]. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and waves can modify the surface chemistry and structure of plastics (e.g., via the formation of cracks and pits, a reduction in molecular weight, and an increase in surface oxidation), which may Fig.…”

Section: Factors Contributing To Biofilm Formation and Compositionmentioning

confidence: 58%

Microplastic-Associated Biofilms: A Comparison of Freshwater and Marine Environments

Harrison

Hoellein

Sapp

et al. 2017

The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry

107

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Microplastics (<5 mm particles) occur within both engineered and natural freshwater ecosystems, including wastewater treatment plants, lakes, rivers, and estuaries. While a significant proportion of microplastic pollution is likely sequestered within freshwater environments, these habitats also constitute an important conduit of microscopic polymer particles to oceans worldwide. The quantity of aquatic microplastic waste is predicted to dramatically increase over the next decade, but the fate and biological implications of this pollution are still poorly understood. A growing body of research has aimed to characterize the formation, composition, and spatiotemporal distribution of microplastic-associated ("plastisphere") microbial biofilms. Plastisphere microorganisms have been suggested to play significant roles in pathogen transfer, modulation of particle buoyancy, and biodegradation of plastic polymers and co-contaminants, yet investigation of these topics within freshwater environments is at a very early stage. Here, what is known about marine plastisphere assemblages is systematically compared with up-to-date findings from freshwater habitats. Through analysis of key differences and likely commonalities between environments, we discuss how

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Section: Factors Contributing To Biofilm Formation and Compositionmentioning

confidence: 58%

Microplastic-Associated Biofilms: A Comparison of Freshwater and Marine Environments

Harrison

Hoellein

Sapp

et al. 2017

The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry

107

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“…2 A mobilisation model where all shear strengths erode simultaneously at a rate that is constant with time for each shear strength but varies between shear strengths, with the weaker material eroding more quickly as driving force (τa-τ) is greater model captures mobilisation as a process progressing in series from strong to weak layer, in series. Whereas observation of wall bound material is shown to be heterogeneous at the micro scale (Fish et al 2016 andFish et al 2017), with different strength material exposed simultaneously. Figure 2 attempts to capture this, showing how the distribution of amount of material (φ) across different strengths (τ) would be simultaneously mobilised, but at decreasing amounts, due to each time step of an imposed excess shear stress.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Calibrating and validating a combined accumulation and mobilisation model for water distribution system discolouration using particle swarm optimisation

et al. 2019

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A discolouration concept is proposed describing simultaneous pipe wall material accumulation and mobilisation processes that define discolouration in drinking water distribution systems, one of the biggest causes of customer dissatisfaction. Validation of these mathematical forms is presented. The model formulation was shown to maintain the mobilisation functionality of previous validated shear-stress-dependant modelling tool, but requiring only two empirical parameters. Two distinct operational datasets are then analysed and robust empirical model parameter calibration is obtained utilising a refined particle swarm optimisation technique. The model is shown to make usefully accurate simulations for flow mediated events, providing evidence of predictive capabilities. The combined tracking of accumulation and mobilisation behaviour enables assessment of the current and future discolouration risk posed by any pipe irrespective of age or material, allowing pro-active, risk based planning and prioritisation of maintenance interventions to protect the quality of delivered water.

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“…Results indicate that the dominant bacterial phyla within biofilms incubated with drinking water were Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria. Members of the Proteobacteria have been reported previously as the dominant constituents within DWDS biofilms [12,30,33]. The bacterial phylum Cyanobactera was also found to be present, although only on the S-HDPE coupon at high flow conditions.…”

Section: Biofilm Bacterial Community Structurementioning

confidence: 53%

“…Sphingomonas are typically observed in abundance within DWDS and are known to have a high ability to form bacterial aggregates and biofilms in order to protect against disinfectants, as well as survive under low nutrient concentrations and metabolise a wide variety of toxic compounds [1,30]. The dominance of Pseudomonas within DWDS is generally explained by its ability to produce high amounts of cohesive EPS [12,35,36] and as a result they are typically the most abundant bacterial species within DWDS irrespective of the pipe's ecology [1,28]. However, in contrast to such previous findings [1,30], Pseudomonas were rarely found within the biofilms incubated within the high flow assay.…”

Section: Consequentlymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, such conditions typically induce biofilms that are more cohesive and less prone to detachment than those cultivated at low and stable flow regimes. Flow hydrodynamics may also influence the amount and type of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) found within a biofilm [12]. The hydraulic conditions in DWDS vary daily and seasonally from stagnation to high flow as demand varies and these variances are reflected in the resultant biofilm.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Impact of flow hydrodynamics and pipe material properties on biofilm development within drinking water systems

Cowle

Webster²,

Babatunde

et al. 2019

Environmental Technology

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The aim of this study was to investigate the combined impact of flow hydrodynamics and pipe material on biofilm development in drinking water distribution systems (DWDS). Biofilms were formed on four commonly used pipe materials (namely polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, structured wall high-density polyethylene and solid wall high-density polyethylene) within a series of purpose built flow cell reactors at two different flow regimes. Results indicate that varying amounts of microbial material with different morphologies were present depending on the pipe material and conditioning. The amount of microbial biomass was typically greater for the biofilms conditioned at lower flows. Whereas, biofilm development was inhibited at higher flows indicating shear forces imposed by flow conditions were above the critical levels for biofilm attachment. Alphaproteobacteria was the predominant bacterial group within the biofilms incubated at low flow and represented 48% of evaluated phylotypes; whilst at higher flows, Betaproteobacteria (45%) and Gammaproteobacteria (33%) were the dominant groups. The opportunistic pathogens, Sphingomonas and Pseudomonas were found to be particularly abundant in biofilms incubated at lower flows, and only found within biofilms incubated at higher flows on the rougher materials assessed. This suggests that these bacteria have limited ability to propagate within biofilms under high shear conditions without sufficient protection (roughness). These findings expand on knowledge relating to the impact of surface roughness and flow hydrodynamics on biofilm development within DWDS.

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Characterising and understanding the impact of microbial biofilms and the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix in drinking water distribution systems

Abstract: Drinking water distribution systems (DWDS) contain complex microbial biofilm communities. Understanding the ecology of these biofilms is critical for effective management of DWDS infrastructure and maintenance of water quality.

Cited by 85 publications

References 142 publications

Microplastic-Associated Biofilms: A Comparison of Freshwater and Marine Environments

Microplastic-Associated Biofilms: A Comparison of Freshwater and Marine Environments

Calibrating and validating a combined accumulation and mobilisation model for water distribution system discolouration using particle swarm optimisation

Impact of flow hydrodynamics and pipe material properties on biofilm development within drinking water systems

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