Changes in the relative abundance of biofilm-forming bacteria by conventional sand-filtration and microfiltration as pretreatments for seawater reverse osmosis desalination

▶ Predominance of γ-proteobacteria in seawater and pre-treated permeates. ▶ Change in bacterial diversity in seawater by the pretreatment for SWRO process. ▶ Bacteria responsible for the pioneering activity in the formation of bioflim. ▶ Significant removal of biofilm-forming potential of seawater by microfiltration.