Reference no: EM133932344

Question

A newly trained environmental engineer is hired to investigate solutions to the clogging of water distribution lines by a persistent, thick, and gelatinous material. The astute engineer quickly recognizes that this recurring problem may be caused by microorganisms and rushes to isolate and characterize the microorganisms clogging the pipelines. The engineer is successful in culturing several microorganisms in broth cultures (i.e., flasks containing liquid microbiological media) from the material found in the pipelines. In these broth cultures, the engineer determines the amount of an antimicrobial compound necessary to kill these microorganisms. To be certain an adequate amount of this antimicrobial compound is delivered, the engineer adds twice as much as the broth culture-based tests suggested would be necessary. Much to the engineer's surprise and dissatisfaction, the treatment is ineffective in killing the microorganisms found within the pipelines. Why did this treatment fail? What additional measures might the engineer need to take to solve the company's problem with the clogged pipes? Can you devise any novel strategies based on material presented in the textbook or other publications (e.g., books or papers)? Please indicate clearly the material sources.