Marine biofilms on artificial surfaces: structure and dynamics

Abstract

SummaryThe search for new antifouling (AF) coatings that are environmentally benign has led to renewed interest in the ways that micro-organisms colonize substrates in the marine environment. This review covers recently published research on the global species composition and dynamics of marine biofilms, consisting mainly of bacteria and diatoms found on man-made surfaces including AF coatings. Marine biofilms directly interact with larger organisms (macrofoulers) during colonization processes; hence, recent literature on understanding the basis of the biofilm/macrofouling interactions is essential and will also be reviewed here. Overall, differences have been identified in species composition between biofilm and planktonic forms for both diatoms and bacteria at various exposure sites. In most studies, the underlying biofilm was found to induce larval and spore settlement of macrofoulers; however, issues such as reproducibility, differences in exposure sites and biofilm composition (natural multispecies vs. monospecific species) may influence the outcomes.

Biofouling on Coated Carbon Steel in Cooling Water Cycles Using Brackish Seawater

“…Archaeal fouling has not been studied as extensively as bacterial fouling and only few reports describe the archaeal community in marine fouling [2,31]. The family Nitrosopumilus was the most commonly detected archaea.…”

“…Industrial coolers are systems in which the excess heat is transferred through metal surfaces to colder, circulating water [1]. Cooling systems utilizing natural water are susceptible to biofouling, which refers to the undesirable accumulation of biotic deposits on a surface [2]. There is a known sequence of biofouling formation: first the surfaces are colonized by microorganisms that prepare the surface conditions suitable for settlement of other biofouling species [2,3].…”

“…Cooling systems utilizing natural water are susceptible to biofouling, which refers to the undesirable accumulation of biotic deposits on a surface [2]. There is a known sequence of biofouling formation: first the surfaces are colonized by microorganisms that prepare the surface conditions suitable for settlement of other biofouling species [2,3]. Microfouling, i.e., microbial biofilm formation, on the surfaces of materials in the water cycles can enhance corrosion of these materials.…”

“…There is a need, however, for deeper understanding of the structure of the microbial community responsible for biofouling of the surfaces under real industrial conditions. The aim of this research was: (1) to compare the suitability of two commercially available coatings to be used in cooling water systems using hypochlorite as a biocide; (2) to characterize the primary biofilm forming a microbial community in system with or without a hypochlorite treatment and on different coatings. Here we focused on microbial fouling community (bacteria, archaea, and fungi) that attached to the surface of coated (fouling release) carbon steel in a power plant utilizing brackish seawater from the Baltic Sea.…”

Seasonal variations in fouling diatom communities on the Yantai coast

“…Biofi lm plays an important role as a settlement cue for algal spores and invertebrate larvae and signifi cantly contributes to nutrient turnover in aquatic ecosystems (Joint et al, 2002;Ganesan et al, 2010;Sawall et al, 2012;Salta et al, 2013). Diatoms are dominant components of biofi lm, especially in the light penetrable portion of sea water.…”