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Role of Biofilms in Waste Water Treatment

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Abstract

Biofilm cells have a different physiology than planktonic cells, which has been the focus of most research. Biofilms are complex biostructures that form on any surface that comes into contact with water on a regular basis. They are dynamic, structurally complex systems having characteristics of multicellular animals and multiple ecosystems. The three themes covered in this review are biofilm ecology, biofilm reactor technology and design, and biofilm modeling. Membrane-supported biofilm reactors, moving bed biofilm reactors, granular sludge, and integrated fixed-film activated sludge processes are all examples of biofilm reactors used for water treatment. Biofilm control and/or beneficial application in membrane processes are improving. Biofilm models have become critical tools for biofilm foundational research as well as biofilm reactor architecture and design. At the same time, the differences between biofilm modeling and biofilm reactor modeling methods are acknowledged.

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Funding

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), New Delhi, provided financial support (Grant No. BT/PR31154/PBD/26/762/2019) to complete this manuscript.

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  1. Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Banasthali Vidyapith, Rajasthan, 304022, India

    Samakshi Verma & Arindam Kuila

  2. Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, College of Engineering and Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, SRM Nagar, Chengalpattu Dist., Kattankulathur, 603203, Tamil Nadu, India

    Samuel Jacob

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SV wrote the whole manuscript. AK gave the idea and also involved in completing the manuscript. SJ contributed significantly in revising the manuscript.

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Verma, S., Kuila, A. & Jacob, S. Role of Biofilms in Waste Water Treatment. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 195, 5618–5642 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-022-04163-5

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