About this Research Topic
Biofilms are complex communities of organisms embedded in a self-produced polymeric matrix ubiquitous in natural and engineered aquatic environments. In both settings, biofilms are hotspots of communication, cooperation and genetic transfer among comprising organisms.
In natural environments, biofilms play an essential role in ecosystem equilibrium and health by regulating the biogeochemical, nutrient and energy cycles and contributing to services provision (i.e. self-depuration capacity). However, climate change and the pollution of water bodies may impact biofilm diversity, ecology and function. On the other hand, biofilms also develop on immersed aquatic equipment such as ships, vessels and other immersed structures compromising their regular function and longevity. Also, in engineered water systems, as drinking water distribution systems and plumbing systems, biofilms may harbour pathogens, compromising water quality and safety and material stability. Moreover, the emergence of antibiotic resistance phenomenon in natural and engineered aquatic environments is a risk to health but their prevalence in biofilms is still mostly unknown.
Fundamental research on biofilm formation processes, biofilm function, diversity and ecology are essential not only for better understanding biofilm role in different aquatic environments but also for predicting their response to environmental and chemical stressors. Therefore, this research topic aims to respond to important aquatic biofilm challenges by compiling breakthrough studies on biofilm formation, structure, function and ecology in natural and engineered aquatic environments. Moreover, future knowledge about biofilm ecological and molecular processes will also provide important information for the development of effective strategies for controlling biofilm formation in drinking water systems and other engineered aquatic environments. It is therefore of utmost importance to develop new and effective biofilm control strategies, reducing associated public health issues but also providing better solutions for biofilms-related problems faced by marine, shipping and drinking water industries.
Thus, in this research topic, we encourage studies on novel antibiofilm methods designed to control biofilm growth in aquatic settings, particularly using environmentally friendly approaches such as innovative coatings, membranes, materials or nature-inspired compounds/products. Lastly, we welcome new perspectives about the potential hazards of biofilm growth in water systems and aquatic surfaces that impact water quality or spread antibiotic resistance in water bodies.
We invite contributors to submit Original Research, Perspective, Review, Systematic Review, Mini Review, or Opinion papers on the following subtopics:
- Drinking water and aquatic biofilms ecological and molecular characterization
- Impact of global change (climate change and pollution) on aquatic biofilm development and functions of ecological relevance and their tolerance to disinfection
- Biofilms’ role in contaminants’ degradation in natural and engineered aquatic systems
- Development and identification of novel early response biomarkers in aquatic biofilms affected by multiple stressors
- Impact of operational conditions (hydrodynamics, chlorine, materials, stagnation) on drinking water biofilm structure and dynamics
- Innovation in drinking water biofilm disinfection and control and novel methods of biofilm control in submerged artificial surfaces
- Antimicrobial resistance spread in biofilms from natural and engineered aquatic systems
In natural environments, biofilms play an essential role in ecosystem equilibrium and health by regulating the biogeochemical, nutrient and energy cycles and contributing to services provision (i.e. self-depuration capacity). However, climate change and the pollution of water bodies may impact biofilm diversity, ecology and function. On the other hand, biofilms also develop on immersed aquatic equipment such as ships, vessels and other immersed structures compromising their regular function and longevity. Also, in engineered water systems, as drinking water distribution systems and plumbing systems, biofilms may harbour pathogens, compromising water quality and safety and material stability. Moreover, the emergence of antibiotic resistance phenomenon in natural and engineered aquatic environments is a risk to health but their prevalence in biofilms is still mostly unknown.
Fundamental research on biofilm formation processes, biofilm function, diversity and ecology are essential not only for better understanding biofilm role in different aquatic environments but also for predicting their response to environmental and chemical stressors. Therefore, this research topic aims to respond to important aquatic biofilm challenges by compiling breakthrough studies on biofilm formation, structure, function and ecology in natural and engineered aquatic environments. Moreover, future knowledge about biofilm ecological and molecular processes will also provide important information for the development of effective strategies for controlling biofilm formation in drinking water systems and other engineered aquatic environments. It is therefore of utmost importance to develop new and effective biofilm control strategies, reducing associated public health issues but also providing better solutions for biofilms-related problems faced by marine, shipping and drinking water industries.
Thus, in this research topic, we encourage studies on novel antibiofilm methods designed to control biofilm growth in aquatic settings, particularly using environmentally friendly approaches such as innovative coatings, membranes, materials or nature-inspired compounds/products. Lastly, we welcome new perspectives about the potential hazards of biofilm growth in water systems and aquatic surfaces that impact water quality or spread antibiotic resistance in water bodies.
We invite contributors to submit Original Research, Perspective, Review, Systematic Review, Mini Review, or Opinion papers on the following subtopics:
- Drinking water and aquatic biofilms ecological and molecular characterization
- Impact of global change (climate change and pollution) on aquatic biofilm development and functions of ecological relevance and their tolerance to disinfection
- Biofilms’ role in contaminants’ degradation in natural and engineered aquatic systems
- Development and identification of novel early response biomarkers in aquatic biofilms affected by multiple stressors
- Impact of operational conditions (hydrodynamics, chlorine, materials, stagnation) on drinking water biofilm structure and dynamics
- Innovation in drinking water biofilm disinfection and control and novel methods of biofilm control in submerged artificial surfaces
- Antimicrobial resistance spread in biofilms from natural and engineered aquatic systems
Keywords: biofilms, aquatic environment, antibiofilms, antibiotic resistance, antimicrobials
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
