Abstract

Microfouling, ie biofilm formation on surfaces, can have an economic impact and requires costly maintenance in water-powered energy generation systems. In this study, the microbiota of a cooling system (filter and heat exchanger) in the Irapé hydroelectric power plant in Brazil was examined. The goal was to identify bacteria that could be targeted to more efficiently reduce biofilm formation. Two sampling campaigns were made corresponding to two well-defined seasons of the Brazilian Cerrado biome: the dry (campaign 1) and the wet (campaign 2). Microfouling communities varied considerably over time in samples obtained at different times after the last clearance of the heat exchanger. The thermophilic bacteria Meiothermus, Thermomonas and Symbiobacterium were exclusive and abundant in the microfouling of the heat exchanger in campaign 2, while methanotrophs and iron-reducing bacteria were abundant only in filter sediments. These findings could help to guide strategies for ecofriendly measures to reduce biofilm fouling in hydroelectric power plants, minimizing environmental and economic losses.

摘要

微污垢，即表面上的生物膜形成，可能会产生经济影响，并且需要在水力发电系统中进行昂贵的维护。在这项研究中，检查了巴西Irapé水力发电厂冷却系统（过滤器和热交换器）的微生物群。目的是确定可以更有效地减少生物膜形成的细菌。与巴西Cerrado生物群落的两个明确定义的季节相对应，进行了两次采样活动：干旱（活动1）和潮湿（活动2）。在最后一次清除热交换器后的不同时间获取的样品中，微污垢群落随时间变化很大。该嗜热菌Meiothermus，Thermomonas和Symbiobacterium在运动2的热交换器的微污垢中排泄物是唯一且丰富的，而甲烷氧化菌和还原铁细菌仅在过滤器沉积物中是丰富的。这些发现可能有助于指导采取生态友好措施的战略，以减少水力发电厂中生物膜的结垢，最大程度地减少环境和经济损失。