Apparatus Measures Attachment or Detachment of Biofilm

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a laboratory apparatus that provides quantitative information on the density and on the rate of increase (or decrease) of density at which bacteria attach themselves to solid surfaces in a potable-water-supply system. These biofilms are potentially pathogenic and/or phytotoxic and can adversely affect processing of the water under some circumstances. The apparatus was devised to assess the abilities of biocide chemicals in water to suppress the biofilms in potable-water subsystems within closed life-support systems of spacecraft, but may also be adaptable to similar investigations of biofilms in terrestrial water supplies.