How the wizards of Oz won iron bacteria battle

摘要

Iron bacteria is becoming an increasing problem in groundwater bores, and is estimated to affect about 40% of the world's water bores with anecdotal evidence indicating that this number is steadily increasing.rnIron bacteria derives energy during its metabolism through oxidising soluble ferrous iron, present in the groundwater, to its insoluble ferric form. The resultant biofilm is commonly found as a slimy or gelatinous deposit and over time these deposits develop into solid encrustations that become difficult to remove.rnSymptoms of biofouling including reduction in the capacity of the bore, deteriora-rntion of water quality, motor burn out of the submersible pump, and encrustation on the pump, column, bore casing, screens and reticulation systems.