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Biofilms can grow in the most extreme environments: from, for example, the extremely hot, briny waters of hot springs ranging from very acidic to very alkaline, to frozen glaciers. Biofilms can be found on rocks and pebbles at the bottoms of most streams or rivers and often form on the surfaces of stagnant pools of water.
A trend of increased variability in biofilm biomass was observed with more intense trampling but no significant differences were found across trampling frequencies and intensities. The microorganisms' small size, which prevents complete removal by trampling, and the biofilms' capacity for rapid recovery may contribute to their high resilience ...
Phototrophic biofilms can be found on terrestrial and aquatic surfaces and can withstand environmental fluctuations and extreme environments. In aquatic systems, biofilms are prevalent on surfaces of rocks and plants, and in terrestrial environments they can be located in the soil, on rocks, and on buildings. [1]
Access to the previously invisible world opened the eyes and the minds of the researchers of the seventeenth century. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek investigated diverse bacteria of various shapes, fungi, and protozoa, which he called animalcules, mainly from water, mud, and dental plaque samples, and discovered biofilms as a first indication of microorganisms interacting within complex communities.
Surface roughness can also affect biofilm adhesion. Rough, high-energy surfaces are more conducive to biofilm formation and maturation, while smooth surfaces are less susceptible to biofilm adhesion. The roughness of a surface can affect the hydrophobicity or hydrophilicity of the contacting substance, which in turn affects its ability to adhere.
Biofilms can consist of a multitude of bacteria, fungi, and algae which are able to absorb, immobilize, and degrade many common pollutants found in wastewater. By harnessing a natural phenomenon, biofilm-mediated remediation is an environmentally friendly method for environmental cleanup. [3]
EPS is found in the matrix of other microbial biofilms such as microalgal biofilms. The formation of biofilm and structure of EPS share a lot of similarities with bacterial ones. The formation of biofilm starts with reversible absorption of floating cells to the surface. Followed by production of EPS, the adsorption will get irreversible.
The bacteria found in the biofilm elicit a host response resulting in localized inflammation of the tissue. [22] This is characterized by the cardinal signs of inflammation including a red, puffy appearance of the gums and bleeding due to brushing or flossing. [23] Gingivitis due to plaque can be reversible by removal of the plaque.