Diversity and Function of Phototrophic Biofilms in Aquatic Environments
A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818). This special issue belongs to the section "Microbial Diversity and Culture Collections".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2021) | Viewed by 499
Special Issue Editors
Interests: microalgae and cyanobacteria taxonomy and systematics; aquatic phototrophic biofilms; electron and confocal microscopy; harmful cyanobacteria and microalgae; ecophysiology of benthic and planktic microalgae and cyanobacteria in culture and nature; cyanobacterial and microalgal biomass application; microcosms; microalgae-based nanotechnology and drug discovery
Interests: biofilms; microbial ecology; microplastics; plastisphere; antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs); environmental microbiology
Interests: photosynthesis and photoacclimation of cyanobacteria and microalgae; photosynthetic reactions; biomass production; nutrient removal from wastewater; photobioreactors
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Phototrophic biofilms are typically comprised of biogeochemically interlinked communities of autotrophs and heterotrophs held within a self-generated matrix of exopolymeric substances. Phototrophic biofilms constitute surface-attached consortia and represent the predominant microbial lifestyle in a great variety of interfacial habitats in lentic and lotic systems, ocean beds, even under extreme conditions including estuarine mudflats and hotsprings. Phototrophic biofilms also play a key role in overall carbon dynamics and nutrient cycling with important implications for aquatic biogeochemistry, whereas their overgrowth on artificial surfaces of water suppliers, ship hulls, and industrial settings is responsible of micro-biofouling. Biofilm organisms can also proliferate on plastic debris developing in highly specialized communities, where they might be vectors of potential pathogenic bacteria, harmful algae, and persistent organic pollutants. Biotechnology is recently focusing on intensive cultivation of biofilms in specific photobioreactors for wastewater treatment and commercial applications. Although in the last two decades phototrophic biofilm studies have provided insights in biofilm structure and functioning, the diversity, the interactions among functional groups, the main drivers of biofilm dynamics continue to puzzle researchers.
We would like to generate an update of aquatic phototrophic biofilm knowledge by collecting recent contributions either derived from biofilm applications and control investigations, or provided through a modern analytical approach on their diversity and functioning, also in the context of biofouling and plastic pollution impacts.
Dr. Roberta Congestri
Dr. Francesca Di Pippo
Dr. Antonella Guzzon
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- Aquatic phototrophic biofilm (APB) diversity
- APB structure
- APB functioning
- APB and micro-biofouling
- APB novel study approaches
