Biofilms In Bioremediation

Biofilms represent the natural living style of microbial communities and play a pivotal role in biogeochemical cycles and natural attenuation. Biofilms can be engineered for biodegradation and biotransformation of organic and inorganic contaminants, for both in situ bioremediation and ex situ treatment in bioreactors. This book focuses on microbial biofilms and their potential technological applications for sustainable development. It covers recent advances in biofilm technologies for contaminant remediation coupled to recovery of resources and serves as a complete reference on the science and technology behind biofilm mediated bioremediation and wastewater treatment.

The microbial bioremediation of contaminants is cost effective and reliable and a number of approaches are in widespread commercial use. Microbial bioremediation makes use of the metabolic activities of biofilm-dwelling microorganisms which are responsible for the majority of pollutant degradation in natural environments. In this book, renowned scientists from around the world provide up-to-date and authoritative reviews of the latest scientific research that has contributed to our understanding of the vital importance of microbial biofilms for the biological remediation of contaminated environments. The results of a variety of key case studies are presented to highlight the broad range of treatment approaches and applications at our disposal. In addition, the authors discuss the future trends and likely growth areas in biofilm-related research. This comprehensive volume is indispensable for anyone involved in bioremediation, biofilm research or environmental microbiology. It is also recommended as a reference work for all microbiology libraries. [Subject: Environmental Microbiology, Life Science, Bioremediation]

Biofilms are of great practical importance for beneficial technologies such as water and wastewater treatment and bioremediation of groundwater and soil. In other settings biofilms cause severe problems, for example in 65% of bacterial infections currently treated by clinicians (particularly those associated with prosthetics and implants), accelerated corrosion in industrial systems, oil souring and biofouling. Until recently, the structure and function of biofilms could only be inferred from gross measures of biomass and metabolic activity. This limitation meant that investigators involved in biofilm research and application had only a crude understanding of the microbial ecology, physical structure and chemical characteristics of biofilms. Consequently, opportunities for the exploitation and control of biofilms were very limited. The past decade has witnessed the development of several new techniques to elucidate the structure and function of biofilms. Examples include: the use of molecular probes that identify different microbes in complex communities as well as their metabolic functions; the use of microsensors that show concentration gradients of key nutrients and chemicals; the use of confocal laser scanning microscopy to describe the physical structure of biofilms and the development of a new generation of mathematical models that allow for the prediction of biofilm structure and function. However, much progress remains to be made in efforts to understand, control and exploit biofilms. This timely book will introduce its readers to the structure and function of biofilms at a fundamental level as determined during the past decade of research, including: Extracellular polymers as the biofilm matrix; Biofilm phenotype (differential gene expression, interspecies signalling); Biofilm ecology; Biofilm monitoring; Resistance of biofilms to antimicrobial agents and Biofilm abatement. Biofilms in Medicine, Industry and Environmental Technology offers a holistic and multi-disciplinary description of the topic, including biofilm formation and composition, but also biofilm monitoring, disinfection and control. All these aspects are presented from three points of views: medical, industrial and environmental biotechnological in a compact, easy to read format.

Microbial Biodegradation and Bioremediation brings together experts in relevant fields to describe the successful application of microbes and their derivatives for bioremediation of potentially toxic and relatively novel compounds. This single-source reference encompasses all categories of pollutants and their applications in a convenient, comprehensive package. Our natural biodiversity and environment is in danger due to the release of continuously emerging potential pollutants by anthropogenic activities. Though many attempts have been made to eradicate and remediate these noxious elements, every day thousands of xenobiotics of relatively new entities emerge, thus worsening the situation. Primitive microorganisms are highly adaptable to toxic environments, and can reduce the load of toxic elements by their successful transformation and remediation. Describes many novel approaches of microbial bioremediation including genetic engineering, metagenomics, microbial fuel cell technology, biosurfactants and biofilm-based bioremediation Introduces relatively new hazardous elements and their bioremediation practices including oil spills, military waste water, greenhouse gases, polythene wastes, and more Provides the most advanced techniques in the field of bioremediation, including insilico approach, microbes as pollution indicators, use of bioreactors, techniques of pollution monitoring, and more

This book provides excellent techniques for detecting and evaluating biofilms: sticky films on materials that are formed by bacterial activity and produce a range of industrial and medical problems such as corrosion, sanitary problems, and infections. Accordingly, it is essential to control biofilms and to establish appropriate countermeasures, from both industrial and medical viewpoints. This book offers valuable, detailed information on these countermeasures. It also discusses the fundamentals of biofilms, relates various substrates to biofilms, and presents a variety of biofilm reactors. However, the most important feature of this book (unlike others on the market) is its clear focus on addressing the practical aspects from an engineering viewpoint. Therefore, it offers an excellent practical guide for engineers and researchers in various fields, and can also be used as a great academic textbook.

Biofilms are the default mode-of-life for many bacterial species. The three-dimensional structure of the biofilm provides the associated microbial communities with additional protection from predation, toxic substances and physical perturbation. The variety of microniches provided by the biofilm also promotes a huge diversity of microbial life and metabolic potential. These complex and highly structured communities help to maintain the health of soils and waters. Current applications of biofilms include the degradation of toxic substances in soil and water, the commercial production of chemicals, and the generation of electricity. However, biofilm-based infections cause harm to millions of humans annually. In addition, biofilms can affect the quality and yield of crops and cause biofouling and microbially-induced corrosion. In this book, leading scientists provide an up-to-date review of the latest scientific research on these fascinating microbial communities and predict future trends and growth areas in biofilm-related research. Under the expert guidance of the editors Gavin Lear and Gillian Lewis, authors from around the world have contributed critical reviews on the most topical aspects of current biofilm research. Subjects covered include quorum sensing and social interactions in microbial biofilms, biofilms in disease, plant-associated biofilms, biofilms in the soil, applications in bioremediation, biofilms in wastewater treatment, corrosion and fouling, aquatic biofilms, microbial fuel cells, and catalytic biofilms. The book is essential for everyone interested in biofilms and their applications. It is also highly recommended for environmental microbiologists, soil scientists, medical microbiologists, bioremediation experts and microbiologists working in biocorrosion, biofouling, biodegradation, water microbiology, quorum sensing and many other areas.

New and Future Developments in Microbial Biotechnology and Bioengineering: Microbial Biofilms is divided into three sections: microbial adhesion/biofilms in medical settings, microbial adhesion/biofilms in agriculture, and microbial adhesion/biofilm in the environment and industry. Chapters cover adhesion and biofilm formation by pathogenic microbes on tissue and on indwelling medical devices, including sections on human infections, microbial communication during biofilm mode of growth, host defense and antimicrobial resistance, and more. Other sections cover the biofilms of agriculturally important and environmental friendly microbes, including biofilm formation on plants, in soil, and in aquatic environments. Finally, the latest scientific research on microbial adhesion and biofilm formation in the environment and in industry is covered. Provides an overview on the growth, structure, cell-to-cell interactions, and control/dispersal of bacterial and fungal of in vitro and in vivo biofilms Presents an overview on the microbial adhesion, biofilm formation and structures of single-species and multi-species biofilms on human tissues/medical devices, agriculture, environment and chemical industries Includes chapters on microbial biofilms of pathogenic microbes on human tissues and in medical indwelling devices Covers factors affecting microbial biofilm, adhesion and formation