ABSTRACT

The major challenge in attempting to monitor the occurrence of a microbially induced fouling (MIF) in a groundwater situation is the remoteness of the site from the sampling point. Rarely can satisfactory samples be taken at the actual site of the MIF because of the porous structures within which it is located. Downstream sampling is therefore a convenient substitution. Therefore, such remote sampling may not accurately reflect the activity that is occurring in a focused manner at the MIF site. Indeed, the conjecture can be proposed that, where there is a randomized significant departure within an individual or a group of characteristics, an MIF event should be considered as a possible significant factor. The development of an approach to determine the presence and significance of an MIF event can include a number of strategies. Water well sampling offers additional challenges because there are even more zones of biofouling arrayed within and around the water well itself.