Oxidizing biocides

Definition

Biocides such as chlorine, bromine, and chlorine dioxide that kill by oxidation, stealing electrons indiscriminately to damage cell components.

They damage membranes, denature proteins, and disrupt metabolic machinery, making them excellent against planktonic populations and new colonization. Their indiscriminate strength means they also attack metals, elastomers, and inhibitors, and the EPS matrix consumes them in the outer layers before lethal concentrations reach inner cells. The result can look like success in the water column followed by rebound on surfaces.

Related concepts

Biocide selection · Non-oxidizing biocides · Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS)

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Part of The Blueprint of Water · 🧪 chemistry