Comparative effect of temperature on biofilm formation in natural and modified marine environment

Abstract

Progression of biofilm formation was monitored at two stations near a nuclear power plant, Kalpakkam, located near coastal waters of Bay of Bengal. These stations are natural marine environment, station 1; and the condenser outfall area of the power plant the modified marine environment station 2. The biofilm formed on plexiglas panels was analysed in triplicates at 24 h intervals for various physical, chemical and biological parameters for 120 h (5 days). The biofilm formation showed both temporal and spatial variation in various parameters assayed. Among the water-quality parameters analysed, seawater temperature showed significant increase (*5°C) at station 2. The increase in water temperature enhanced the metabolism and influenced most of the biofilm parameters assayed at station 2. Biofilm formed at station 2 was very thick (113 lm) than that of at station 1 (22 lm). The distribution of parameters like biofilm thickness, biomass, chlorophyll a, particulate organic carbon, hexose sugar and diatom counts showed similar trend (i.e., a sharp increase after 96 h of biofilm growth) in the biofilm formed at station 2. Moderately high ammonia levels (44 lg l -1 ) were detected in the biofilm formed at station 2. The biofilm microbiota was diverse at both the stations: it constituted bacteria [nitrate reducers (NRB), ammonia oxidizers (AOB) and culturable aerobic heterotrophic bacteria (CAHB)], algae and macrofoulants. The various bacterial types assayed showed a population range from 10 2 to 10 6 cfu cm -2 . The final community after 120 h at station 1 comprised CAHB, NRB, diatoms, barnacle cyprids and juvenile bryozoans. At station 2, the biofilm initially consisted of CAHB, NRB and diatoms but after 120 h, AOB, cyanobacteria and filamentous algae were dominant. The plausible factors that influenced biofilm formation were temperature, nutrients and organic matter. The biofilm phenomenon in natural and modified marine environment was hypothesized and discussed.

Turning on the Heat: Ecological Response to Simulated Warming in the Sea

“…Again, more work is needed to investigate the relative importance of these key biological processes in driving this pattern. The potential for oceanic warming to cause an increase in biofouling rates on artificial surfaces has been suggested previously, as microbial biofilm development may accelerate and aggressive fouling seasons may lengthen, particularly in temperate regions [16], [17]. Here, we observed greater fouling on warmer surfaces; an observation that could have major implications for the multi-billion dollar anti-fouling industry.…”

Experimental investigation of interactions between the temperature field and biofouling in a synthetic treated sewage stream

“…The temperatures of treated sewage generally range from 10 to 35°C, so faster rates of biofouling are expected at higher temperatures. Rao and co-workers investigated both the effects of uniform temperature and water quality on biofouling, and reported such effects with changes in temperature (Rao 2010;Rao et al 2009). Likewise, Villanueva et al (2010) found that biofouling rate, biofilm thickness, enzyme activity, and the diversity of bacterial species in the biofilm all increased when the bulk temperature was raised from 7 to 11°C.…”

Pulse versus continuous peracetic acid applications: Effects on rainbow trout performance, biofilm formation and water quality

“…Therefore, the difference of water quality among groups was mainly due to the difference on microbial activities, which, in aquaculture, are present in planktonic phase and in the biofilm. The biofilm, with similarities to periphyton, is a ubiquitous organic matrix consisting of extra polymeric substances, bacteria and periphytic algae that coevolves with their planktonic cells during conditions with nutrient load (Rao, 2010;van Dam et al, 2002). In the present study having tanks with a relatively short retention time of 9 h, the planktonic cells were constantly diluted by the flow-through design.…”