HETEROGENEITY OF BIOFILMS IN ROTATING ANNULAR REACTORS - OCCURRENCE, STRUCTURE, AND CONSEQUENCES

A rotating annular reactor (Roto Torque) was used for qualitative and quantitative studies on biofilm heterogeneity. In contrast to the classic image of biofilms as smooth, homogeneous layers of biomass on a substratum, studies using various pure and mixed cultures consistently revealed more-dimensional structures that resembled dunes and ridges, among others. These heterogeneities were categorized and their underlying causes analyzed. Contrary to expectations, motility of the microorganisms was not a decisive factor in determining biofilm homogeneity. Small variations in substratum geometry and flow patterns were clearly reflected in the biofilm pattern. Nonhomogeneous flow and shear patterns in the reactor, together with inadequate mixing resulted in significant, position-dependent differences in surface growth. It was therefore not possible to take representative samples of the attached biomass. Like many other types of reactors, the Roto Torque reactor is valuable for qualitative and morphological biofilm experiments but less suitable for quantitative physiological and kinetic studies using attached microorganisms. (C) 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.