CHEMISTRY GLOSSARY

1. Fouling is the deposition of insoluble materials, such as bacteria, colloids, oxides and water-borne debris, onto the surface of a reverse osmosis or ultrafiltration membrane. Fouling is associated with decreased flux rates and may also reduce the rejection rates of reverse osmosis membranes. Fouling also refers to the accumulation of normally inorganic deposits on heat exchanger tubing.

2. Fouling is an accumulation of marine organism deposits on a submerged metal surface.