Species and material considerations in the formation and development of microalgal biofilms |
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Authors: | Tyler?E?Irving Email author" target="_blank">D?Grant?AllenEmail author |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 3E5; |
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Abstract: | The development of microalgal biofilms has received very limited study despite its relevance in the design of photobioreactors
where film growth may be advantageous for biomass separation or disadvantageous in fouling surfaces. Here, the effects of
species selection, species control, and substrate properties on biofilms of Scenedesmus obliquus and Chlorella vulgaris were investigated. Experiments were conducted in batch culture and in continuous culture modes in a flow cell. Cell growth
was monitored using confocal laser scanning microscopy and gravimetrically. Species selection and species control had significant
effects on biofilm development. On non-sterile wastewater, C. vulgaris shifted from primarily planktonic (23.7% attachment) to primarily sessile (79.8% attachment) growth. The biofilms that developed
in non-sterile conditions were thicker (52 ± 19 μm) than those grown in sterile conditions (7 ± 6 μm). By contrast, S. obliquus attained similar thicknesses (54 ± 31 and 53 ± 38 μm) in both sterile and non-sterile conditions. Neither species was able
to dominate a non-sterile biofilm. The effect of substrate surface properties was minimal. Both species grew films of similar
thickness (∼30 μm for S. obliquus, <10 μm for C. vulgaris) on materials ranging from hydrophilic (glass) to hydrophobic (polytetrafluoroethylene). Surface roughness created by micropatterning
the surface with 10 μm grooves did not translate into long-term increases in biofilm thickness. The results indicate that
species selection and control are more important than surface properties in the development of microalgal biofilms. |
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