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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]
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. Biofilms are important components of food chains in rivers and streams and are grazed by the aquatic invertebrates upon which many fish feed. Biofilms are found on the surface of and inside plants.
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]
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 ...
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.
A photo of sewage fungus found in the River Crane (London, England) Sewage fungus [1] (also known as undesirable river biofilms, URBs) is a polymicrobial biofilm (a microbial mat) that proliferates in saprobic rivers [2] and has been frequently used as a bioindicator [3] [4] of organic river pollution for the past century. [5]
When humans come in contact with environmental biofilms, it is possible for infections and long-term health hazards to occur. [51] Antibiotic penetration and expansion within a biofilm is an area of research which can benefit from bioprinting techniques, to further explore the effect of environmental biofilms on human health. [11]
In 1996 the national profile of the CBE and biofilm research was on the rise. Numerous scientific and mass media publications began to address biofilm technology in earnest. An article in the September 1996 issue of Science, entitled "Biofilms Invade Microbiology" featured the work and history of the Center for Biofilm Engineering. [4]