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Related Concept Videos

Biofilms01:29

Biofilms

Biofilms are complex communities of microorganisms encased in a self-produced extracellular polysaccharide matrix attached to surfaces. These microbial consortia can include single or multiple species, providing enhanced survival benefits by forming organized, multilayered structures.The formation of biofilms occurs through four key stages: attachment, colonization, development, and dispersal.During attachment, free-swimming planktonic cells adhere to a surface, often facilitated by...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 15, 2026

Characterization of Aquatic Biofilms with Flow Cytometry
08:30

Characterization of Aquatic Biofilms with Flow Cytometry

Published on: June 6, 2018

Faecal indicator bacteria in river biofilms.

M Balzer1, N Witt, H-C Flemming

  • 1Biofilm Centre, Department of Aquatic Microbiology, University of Duisburg-Essen, D-47057 Duisburg, Germany. mathiasbalzer@web.de

Water Science and Technology : a Journal of the International Association on Water Pollution Research
|March 12, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

River biofilms harbor significant concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria, including Escherichia coli (E. coli) and enterococci. These biofilms act as reservoirs for potential pathogens in polluted waters.

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Bile Salt-induced Biofilm Formation in Enteric Pathogens: Techniques for Identification and Quantification
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Bile Salt-induced Biofilm Formation in Enteric Pathogens: Techniques for Identification and Quantification
10:05

Bile Salt-induced Biofilm Formation in Enteric Pathogens: Techniques for Identification and Quantification

Published on: May 6, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Environmental microbiology
  • Water quality monitoring
  • Riverine ecosystems

Background:

  • Surface water biofilms are primarily composed of non-native microorganisms.
  • Pollution introduces fecal bacteria that can interact with these biofilms.
  • Fecal indicators like total coliforms, E. coli, and enterococci signal fecal contamination and potential pathogen presence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the occurrence of fecal indicator bacteria in German river biofilms (epilithic biofilms and sediments).
  • To assess the survival and potential role of these bacteria within biofilm communities.

Main Methods:

  • Sampling of epilithic biofilms and sediments from German rivers.
  • Quantification of total coliforms, E. coli, and intestinal enterococci.
  • Comparison of bacterial concentrations in biofilms versus overlying water.
  • Identification of coliform and enterococcal isolates to determine species present.

Main Results:

  • All investigated biofilms contained significant concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria.
  • Fecal indicator bacteria represented a minor fraction of the total biofilm community.
  • Biofilms showed approximately 100-fold higher concentrations of fecal indicators compared to the overlying water.
  • Identified isolates included opportunistic pathogens.

Conclusions:

  • Fecal indicator bacteria can survive in river biofilms alongside high densities of native microflora.
  • River biofilms may serve as reservoirs for bacterial pathogens in polluted aquatic environments.
  • This highlights the importance of biofilms in understanding pathogen dynamics in rivers.