Fouling microbial transport

Fouling (e.g., microbial adhesion, gel layer formation, and solute adhesion) at the membrane surface is a more complex phenomenon involving polarization, irreversible adsorption of macrosolutes or colloid particulates to, and/or gradual buildup of an adherent and coherent layer of solid material on, the membrane surface. It is amenable to mitigation by appropriate selection or surface treatment of the membrane surface (to minimize adsorption) by suitable fluid management or by employment of other forces to transport fouhng solutes. 

For microbial fouling, both the transport of the deposit materiel (microbes) and the transport of nutrients is involved in the formation of the deposits. 

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