Microbial Forms in Biofouling Events

Abstract

AbstractBiofouling is the result of the accumulation of inorganic and organic particulate matters along with the growth of various microorganisms on a surface. It has led to many undesirable problems in industry, medical transplant, and water distribution pipelines. The major advantages of bacterial adhesion for microbial survival are that microorganisms growing inside biofilm are much less susceptible to antimicrobial agents than are their planktonic counterparts, and the microbial adhesion to solid surface can enhance the possibility of accessing nutrients in an aqueous environment. This article describes the microorganisms' forms in biofouling formation, including different phenomena of microbial attachment to surfaces. Moreover, the competition and syntrophic correlation among microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, fungi, algae) in biofouling events are explored. Two important examples of biofouling in water industry (cooling tower and membrane water treatment system) are discussed with respect to microbial phases in biofouling layers. Finally, different types of biocides for biofouling control are introduced and compared.