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Application of membrane nanofiltration (NF) for surface water treatment requires waterpretreatment prior to NF elements in order to minimize membrane fouling. In this study, thebiofouling potential of three different pretreated river waters was compared. Water A and water Bwere used to feed two parallel pilot trains and water C fed a pilot unit, part of the drinking waterplant of M?ry-sur-Oise (France). During this study, membrane performance parameters(permeability and pressure drop) were continuously monitored. At the end of the experiment, themembrane modules were autopsied and the composition and organization of membrane foulantswere characterized by Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR)spectroscopy, DAPI staining, lectin-binding analysis, and fluorescence microscopy. The ATR-FTIRspectra and fluorescence microscopy observations of the fouled membranes revealed the presenceof a biofilm at the membranes surface for the three feed waters. The microbial cells were mainlyorganized as microcolonies interspersed at the membrane surface. Polysaccharide residues werefound in areas where microcolonies were present and in areas devoid of microorganisms. A positivecorrelation was observed between organic carbon concentration of feed waters and the biofoulingextent at the membrane surface: the higher the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration offeed water, the higher the sessile bacteria counts and relative IR signal (peaks indicative of proteinsand polysaccharides).In conclusion, for the three water qualities studied, the DOC concentration was a relevant parameterto determine the biofouling potential of the pretreated waters. Includes 12 references, figures.

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Edition: Vol. - No. Published: 11/01/2007 Number of Pages: 12File Size: 1 file , 390 KB