Academic Journal
Biofilms and disinfection by-products in Mediterranean drinking water networks: effect of temperature on disinfection strategies.
| Τίτλος: | Biofilms and disinfection by-products in Mediterranean drinking water networks: effect of temperature on disinfection strategies. |
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| Συγγραφείς: | Volz Gonzalez I; School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK., Pérez Lleó A; Global Omnium Group, Empresa Mixta Valenciana de Aguas SA - EMIVASA, Valencia, Spain., Almenar Llorens P; Global Omnium Group, Empresa Mixta Valenciana de Aguas SA - EMIVASA, Valencia, Spain., Pedro Monzonís M; Global Omnium Group, Empresa Mixta Valenciana de Aguas SA - EMIVASA, Valencia, Spain., Douterelo I; School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK. i.douterelo@sheffield.ac.uk. |
| Πηγή: | World journal of microbiology & biotechnology [World J Microbiol Biotechnol] 2026 Aug 03; Vol. 42 (8). Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Aug 03. |
| Τύπος έκδοσης: | Journal Article |
| Γλώσσα: | English |
| Στοιχεία περιοδικού: | Publisher: Springer Country of Publication: Germany NLM ID: 9012472 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1573-0972 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 09593993 NLM ISO Abbreviation: World J Microbiol Biotechnol Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: 2005- : Berlin : Springer Original Publication: Oxford, OX, UK : Published by Rapid Communications of Oxford Ltd in association with UNESCO and in collaboration with the International Union of Microbiological Societies, c1990- |
| Ιατρικοί όροι (MeSH): | Biofilms*/growth & development , Drinking Water*/microbiology , Drinking Water*/chemistry , Disinfection*/methods , Bacteria*/genetics , Bacteria*/classification , Bacteria*/isolation & purification , Bacteria*/drug effects , Disinfectants*/analysis, RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Chlorine/analysis ; Water Purification/methods ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Temperature ; Spain ; Seasons ; Water Microbiology ; Water Quality ; Microbiota ; Water Supply |
| Περίληψη: | Biofilms inhabiting drinking water networks can degrade water quality, leading to disinfectant depletion, pipe corrosion and organoleptic issues. In this study, the use of in situ biofilm sampling devices, which enabled sample collection without interrupting the supply, provided insights into physicochemical and biological interactions within a network in Valencia (Spain). The devices were installed in an operational chlorinated network and monitored over a year to assess biofilm dynamics. Water quality was evaluated using standard methods for faecal indicator bacteria (FIB) and pathogens, alongside physicochemical parameters including disinfection by-products (DBPs), geosmin, and metals. Biofilms devices were sampled every 3 months to examine development and biofilm regrowth under seasonal conditions. Bacterial communities were characterised using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and analysed in relation to environmental factors. No FIB or pathogens were detected in any water sample, yet DNA analysis in biofilms (particularly in 6- and 9-month-old biofilms) showed the presence of sequences related with potential opportunistic pathogens including Legionella spp. and Staphylococcus spp. DBPs, increased during warmer months coinciding with higher chlorine dosages and iron and manganese concentrations. A core microbiome formed mainly by species of Pseudomonas spp. and Acidovorax spp. was found in water and biofilm samples. A clear temporal succession in biofilm composition was observed, with diversity peaking at mid-developmental stages, yet regrowth was seasonally independent. The installation of biofilm sampling devices in real networks was effective at monitoring microbial dynamics, providing key information for distribution infrastructure management including optimisation of cleaning and disinfection strategies. (© 2026. The Author(s).) |
| Competing Interests: | Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. |
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| Grant Information: | INNCAD/2020/44 Agencia Valenciana de la Innovación |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: Biofilm; Chlorine; Disinfection by-products; Drinking water distribution systems; Metals |
| Substance Nomenclature: | 0 (Drinking Water) 0 (RNA, Ribosomal, 16S) 0 (Disinfectants) 4R7X1O2820 (Chlorine) 0 (DNA, Bacterial) |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260803 Date Completed: 20260803 Latest Revision: 20260923 |
| Update Code: | 20260923 |
| PubMed Central ID: | PMC13433392 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s11274-026-05101-x |
| PMID: | 42545567 |
| Βάση Δεδομένων: | MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 1573-0972 |
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| DOI: | 10.1007/s11274-026-05101-x |