Question

7. (A) Draw a schematic diagram of biofilm formation on a plastic media with labels and briefly
describe the main layers and reactions that can be performed.

(B) What is the major limitation for this mode of bacterial growth that may affect the treatment
efficiency?

Answer 1

Biofilms are a complex matter of microorganisms attached to surfaces or interfaces.
Biofilms are broadly defined as assemblages of microorganisms and their associated extracellular products at an interface and typically attached to an abiotic or biotic surface.

Biofilm formation is commonly considered to occur in four main stages:

(1) bacterial attachment to a surface,

(2) microcolony formation, (3)

biofilm maturation and

(4) detachment


(B) Limitations:

Biofilms may cause a process performance problem and material performance problems.

Biofilm generally causes crown corrosion of media, affecting the efficiency in treatment negatively.