Bacterial enumeration from colloidal silica

[Pacific Analytical Laboratory]

     Can anyone suggest a technique to enumerate bacteria in a colloidal 
     silica solution.  The solution is composed of colloidal silica (15 nm 
     particle size) in water containing an amine.  The pH is 10 and the 
     solution has a susdsy appearance when shaken.  The concentration of 
     silica is 0.5%.   We are interested in techniques to enumerate any
     bacteria present in the slurry using epifluorescence or culturing methods. 
     The solution will rapidly clog a 0.2 u membrane filter.
     
     Thanks.
     Rocky Baker
Rocky Baker
Pacific Analytical Laboratory
541-753-4946
e-mail:  PAL at proaxis.com