Microbiology and microbiological fouling

In addition, practical methods for the early identification and subsequent cost-effective control of sessile bacterial biofouling in the field often fail to be adequately addressed by the water treatment service industry as a whole. 

Biofouling involves the formation of biofilm, whereby hydrated algal- or bacterial-based slimes adhere to water-wetted cooling system surfaces and often contain scales, corrosion products, or other debris embedded within a polysaccharide matrix. The role of biofilms in reducing cooling system efficiency and life span is still imperfectly understood. 

Microorganisms are microscopic plants and animals. In relation to their presence as cooling water contaminants, we generally mean the mixed populations of bacteria, fungi (which includes yeasts), phytoplankton (algae), and zooplankton commonly found. Basic classifications and descriptions of microorganisms are discussed in the following sections. 

Bacteria are unicellular organisms that exist either isolated or in colonies and generally reproduce asexually (binary fission) with the cell splitting 

Bacteria can also be classified as those requiring an atmosphere (aerobes), those that grow and develop without an atmosphere (anaerobes), and those that can live with or without an atmosphere (facultative anaerobes). 

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