Abstract
This chapter reviews the definition, characteristics, factors controlling growth and death of periphytic biofilm, and its role in aquatic nutrient cycling. As seen in previous chapters, periphytic biofilm is an integrated microecosystem in aquatic ecosystems composed of biotic components like algae, fungi, bacteria, protozoa, and metazoa and abiotic components such as substrata, extracellular polymeric substance (EPS), and detritus. The properties of periphyton allow it to function (1) in nutrient cycling of aquatic systems, mainly as potential sources and sinks of nutrient dynamics, (2) in the buffering (ingestion and retention) of nutrient transport, and (3) as the mediator, regulator, and indicator of nutrient states. The complex nature of periphytic biofilm and its many associated influential environmental factors warrant further exploration of its complete and precise contribution to nutrient cycling in aquatic systems.
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