Biocide
Definition
A chemical agent used to kill or suppress microorganisms by damaging membranes, denaturing proteins, disrupting metabolism, or halting reproduction.
Biocides are powerful maintenance tools that suppress planktonic growth, limit new colonization, and reduce the rate of new biofilm formation. Used alone against established biofilms they are often disappointing because the limiting factor is access, not potency. They work best as one tool among several, paired with mechanical removal, dispersion, and flow management.
Related concepts
Oxidizing biocides · Biocide selection · Non-oxidizing biocides
How it connects
- this prevents Biofilm
- this prevents Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC)
- Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) buffers this
Part of The Blueprint of Water · 🧪 chemistry