Skip to main content
Publications | Persons | Institutes | Projects
[ report an error in this record ]basket (1): add | show Print this page

one publication added to basket [322802]
Impact of isolated dissolved organic fractions from seawater on biofouling in reverse osmosis (RO) desalination process
Yin, W.; Ho, J.S.; Cornelissen, E.R.; Chong, T.H. (2020). Impact of isolated dissolved organic fractions from seawater on biofouling in reverse osmosis (RO) desalination process. Wat. Res. 168: 115198. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2019.115198
In: Water Research. Elsevier: Oxford; New York. ISSN 0043-1354; e-ISSN 1879-2448, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Keyword
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    Biofouling potential; Seawater desalination; Reverse osmosis; Naturalorganic matter; Assimilable organic carbon; Organic transformation

Authors  Top 
  • Yin, W.
  • Ho, J.S.
  • Cornelissen, E.R., more
  • Chong, T.H.

Abstract
    The biofouling potential of three isolated dissolved organic fractions from seawater according to their molecular weights (MWs), namely, fractions of biopolymers (F.BP, MW > 1000 Da), humic substances and building blocks (F.HS&BB, MW 350-1000 Da), and low molecular weight compounds (F.LMW, MW < 350 Da) were characterized by assimilable organic carbon (AOC) content. The AOC/DOC ratio was in the order of F.LMW (similar to 35%) > F.BP (similar to 19%) > F.HS&BB (similar to 8%); AOC/DOC of seawater was similar to 20%; organic compositions of seawater were BP similar to 6%, HS&BB similar to 52% and LMW similar to 42%; LMW accounted for >70% of AOC in seawater. Their impact on SWRO biofouling in term of flux decline rate was in the order of F. LMW (similar to 30%) > F.BP (similar to 20%) > F.HS&BB (<10%). Despite being the major organic compound in seawater, HS&BB showed marginal effect on biofouling. The role of indigenous BP was less critical owing to its relatively low concentration. LMW, which was the major AOC contributor, played a significant role in biofouling by promoting microbial growth that contributed to the build-up of soluble microbial products and exopolymeric substances (i.e., in particular BP). Therefore, seawater pretreatment shall focus on the removal of AOC (i.e., LMW) rather than the removal of biopolymer.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors