Scribd
Upload
16 views2 pages

Bofilm Formation and Its Role in Organic Degradation

Uploaded by

Dibyak
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
16 views2 pages

Bofilm Formation and Its Role in Organic Degradation

Uploaded by

Dibyak
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

1. What is biofilm? How is it formed?

Describe its role in removing organic compounds from


the waste water.
A biofilm is an assemblage of microbial cells that is irreversibly associated (not removed by gentle
rinsing) with a surface and enclosed in a matrix of primarily polysaccharide material.
Non-cellular materials such as mineral crystals, corrosion particles, clay or silt particles, or blood
components, depending on the environment in which the biofilm has developed, may also be found
in the biofilm matrix.
Microorganisms that form biofilms include bacteria, fungi and protists. Biofilms may form on a wide
variety of surfaces, including living tissues, indwelling medical devices, industrial or potable water
system piping, or natural aquatic systems. The solid-liquid interface between a surface and an
aqueous medium (e.g., water, blood) provides an ideal environment for the attachment and growth of
microorganisms.

Formation of Biofilm
It begins when free-floating microorganisms such as bacteria come in contact with an appropriate
surface and begin to put down roots, so to speak.
This first step of attachment occurs when the microorganisms produce a gooey substance known as
an extracellular polymeric substance (EPS). EPS is a network of sugars, proteins and nucleic acids
(such as DNA). It enables the microorganisms in a biofilm to stick together.
Attachment is followed by a period of growth. Further layers of microorganisms and EPS build upon
the first layers. Ultimately, they create a bulbous and complex 3D structure. Water channels
crisscross biofilms and allow for the exchange of nutrients and waste products.

Role in removing organic compound


Biofilm system is a well-developed technology in which solid media are added to suspended growth
reactors to provide attachment surfaces for biofilms, so as to increase the microbial concentration as
well as rates of contaminant degradation biofilms to take advantage of a number of removal
mechanisms, including biodegradation, bioaccumulation, biosorption and biomineralization.
The microbial communities in the biofilm break down different nutrients, such as phosphorous and
nitrogen-containing compounds, carbonaceous materials as well as trapped pathogens from the
wastewater. Once pollutants are removed, treated water of a biofilter is either released to the
environment or used for agriculture and other recreational purposes.
Wastewater treatment with biofilm systems has several advantages, including operational flexibility,
low space requirements, reduced hydraulic retention time, resilience to changes in the environment,
increased biomass residence time, high active biomass concentration, enhanced ability to degrade
recalcitrant compounds as well as a slower microbial growth rate, resulting in lower sludge
production.

You might also like