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Comparing the Effectiveness of UV-C on Dynamically Formed Field Biofilms.
Kailey N Richard1, Kelli Z Hunsucker1, Geoffrey Swain1
1Center for Biofouling and Control, Florida Institute of Technology, University Blvd., Melbourne, FL 32901, USA.
Microorganisms
|November 27, 2025
Summary
Ultraviolet-C irradiation (UV-C) effectively controls marine biofilms, even under continuous water flow. Higher UV-C doses show greater effectiveness in reducing biofilm density and chlorophyll a levels.
Area of Science:
- Marine biology
- Microbiology
- Environmental science
Background:
- Marine biofilms impact industries and ecosystems.
- Controlling biofilms is crucial for preventing biofouling.
- UV-C irradiation is a promising method for biofilm control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of UV-C irradiation on marine biofilms under varying water flow and shear stress conditions.
- To assess the impact of UV-C on biofilm density and community structure in situ.
- To determine optimal UV-C dosage for biofilm reduction in dynamic environments.
Main Methods:
- Natural biofilms were cultivated in a flow channel with distinct high, medium, and low shear stress zones.
- Biofilms were exposed to pulsed UV-C irradiation at varying durations (30, 60, 90 minutes).
- Chlorophyll a concentrations and community composition were analyzed to evaluate UV-C effectiveness.
Main Results:
- UV-C irradiation significantly reduced chlorophyll a levels across all tested shear stresses.
- Lower shear stress conditions resulted in thicker, denser biofilms.
- Community analysis revealed synergistic interactions between bacteria and diatoms, enhancing biofilm robustness.
Conclusions:
- UV-C irradiation is effective in controlling marine biofilms under continuous flow conditions.
- Higher UV-C doses are more effective for substantial biofilm reduction.
- Understanding shear stress effects is vital for optimizing UV-C applications in marine environments.
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