Chapter 10 Biofilm Processes
Section 1 Overview
Page 3 Biofouling

A substantially updated version of the hypertextbook is available here. Please migrate to that version. This one will eventually disappear.

Biofouling

Confocal microscope image of a green biofilm
Figure 1. Confocal microscope image of a green biofilm.
This is an image taken with a confocal laser scanning microscope. Here we see details of the biofilm architecture and staining reveals different activities. A beautiful picture indeed.

Biofilm Processes
Figure 2. Biofilms observed in industry are not so beautiful.
This picture shows a large biofilm deposit recovered from the feed stream of a pulp and paper manufacturing system; clearly a major biofouling problem.

Biofouling of Fermenter Impeller
Figure 3 . Biofouling of Fermenter Impeller.
This picture shows a 3-inch diameter impeller in a fermenter which is severely fouled by a fungal biofilm. Photo by Andy Zwister.