Impact of localised dissolved iron concentrations on the biofouling of environmental wells

Stuetz, RM; McLaughlan, RG

Impact of localised dissolved iron concentrations on the biofouling of environmental wells

Stuetz, RM McLaughlan, RG

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Water Science and Technology, 2004, 49 (2), pp. 107 - 113
Issue Date:: 2004-03-05

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Stuetz, RM	en_US
dc.contributor.author	McLaughlan, RG https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9796-0988	en_US
dc.date.issued	2004-03-05	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Water Science and Technology, 2004, 49 (2), pp. 107 - 113	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	0273-1223	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/3878
dc.description.abstract	Iron biofouling of wells can significantly impact the performance of a groundwater extraction system. A subsurface drainage scheme (Wakool, Australia) designed to reduce waterlogging was used to identify some of the relationships between aquifer properties and well biofouling. Piezometers drilled radially one metre from two biofouled wells showed that during normal well operation the concentration of dissolved iron (Fe2+) entering the groundwater well was highly localised around the site and with depth. CCTV survey of the biofouling on the well screens supported these findings of localised iron concentrations. Dissolved oxygen (DO) measured during pumping and under non-pumping conditions (aquifer DO) showed that oxygen was not a limiting factor, whereas stalked bacteria (Gallionella sp.) were only found in the biofouled wells. The wellhead water therefore represents only a composite of all the waters entering the well and does not indicate the possibility of localised iron concentrations in a shallow aquifer. The degree of iron biofouling within a groundwater well is therefore related directly to the presence of dissolved iron in the groundwater, as well as various oxidative processes occurring as the groundwater enters the well screen and its subsequent extraction. The distribution of iron biofilms on the well screen reflects these processes; however, the presence of well biofouling cannot always be linked to a decrease in well screen performance, but can have an impact on the overall performance of the groundwater extraction system.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Water Science and Technology	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Environmental Engineering	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Biofilms	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Gallionellaceae	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Gallbladder Diseases	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Iron	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Soil	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Filtration	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Materials Testing	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Water Microbiology	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Population Dynamics	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Water Supply	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Solubility	en_US
dc.title	Impact of localised dissolved iron concentrations on the biofouling of environmental wells	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	2	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	49	en_US
utslib.for	0904 Chemical Engineering	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CTWW - Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater Treatment
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	2	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	49	en_US

Abstract:

Iron biofouling of wells can significantly impact the performance of a groundwater extraction system. A subsurface drainage scheme (Wakool, Australia) designed to reduce waterlogging was used to identify some of the relationships between aquifer properties and well biofouling. Piezometers drilled radially one metre from two biofouled wells showed that during normal well operation the concentration of dissolved iron (Fe2+) entering the groundwater well was highly localised around the site and with depth. CCTV survey of the biofouling on the well screens supported these findings of localised iron concentrations. Dissolved oxygen (DO) measured during pumping and under non-pumping conditions (aquifer DO) showed that oxygen was not a limiting factor, whereas stalked bacteria (Gallionella sp.) were only found in the biofouled wells. The wellhead water therefore represents only a composite of all the waters entering the well and does not indicate the possibility of localised iron concentrations in a shallow aquifer. The degree of iron biofouling within a groundwater well is therefore related directly to the presence of dissolved iron in the groundwater, as well as various oxidative processes occurring as the groundwater enters the well screen and its subsequent extraction. The distribution of iron biofilms on the well screen reflects these processes; however, the presence of well biofouling cannot always be linked to a decrease in well screen performance, but can have an impact on the overall performance of the groundwater extraction system.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/3878