Efficacy of Isothiazolone Biocide versus Sulfate Reducing Bacteria

Chloromethyl-methylisothiazolone (CMIT/MIT) biocide is widely used for microbial control in a variety of industrial water treatment applications.  It has been shown to be effective versus various types of bacteria (including Legionella), algae and fungi.  Sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) are of considerable interest for industrial water treatment due to their impact on biofouling and microbially influenced corrosion.  This paper will provide a review of planktonic and biofilm efficacy studies with CMIT/MIT biocide versus strains of Desulfovibrio.  Results showed that low levels of isothiazolone biocide (1-5 ppm active) provided control of SRB in simple kill tests and recirculating biofilm systems.