Formation of Actinobacteria biofilms during groundwater treatment

Abstract

The paper presents the results of a study of the reasons for the formation of biofilms during the purification of groundwater with use of natural sorbents. Analysis of the microbial complexes structure at different stages of water treatment showed that their numbers increased after filtration through a load with granular activated carbon. In some cases, it remained high in storage tanks containing purified water. In fact, at all stages of water treatment, representatives of Actinobacteria were found in the community structure, which formed biofilms in the technical system, as well as after 14 days of storage in bottled water. It was established that representatives of actinomycetes in the planktonic state formed flakes from mycelium, and on filter media they formed biofilms in the form of a complex structured community. Actinobacteria strains isolated from water and activated carbon biofilms differed in their cultural and morphological characteristics. However, they were characterized by a common ability to produce polymeric substances that formed a protective matrix and promoted cell adhesion to various substrates and surfaces. Scanning electron microscopy shown that sporulation promoted survival during all stages of groundwater treatment, including chlorination and ozonation.