Biofilms in Wastewater Treatment: A Systematic Review of Biological Design and Efficiency

Authors

  • Yorasakhi Ananta Universitas Andalas, Padang, Sumatera Barat, Indonesia
  • Salsabila Dwi Fitri Universitas Jambi, Jambi, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.38035/dit.v2i3.1790

Keywords:

Biofilm, Wastewater Treatment, Biological Design, Systematic Review, Microbial Efficiency

Abstract

Biofilms are essential in modern biological wastewater treatment systems due to their unique structural and functional capabilities. This systematic review explores the role of biofilms in enhancing the efficiency of wastewater treatment, focusing on design considerations and microbial interactions. The review compiles and synthesizes data from recent studies to understand how biofilms contribute to pollutant removal, operational stability, and energy efficiency. Key findings indicate that biofilm-based systems, such as trickling filters, rotating biological contactors (RBC), and membrane bioreactors (MBR), offer superior contaminant degradation due to high microbial density and resilience. The study highlights future opportunities for optimizing biofilm engineering to meet environmental and regulatory challenges.

References

Bassin, J. P., Dias, I. A., Cao, S. M. S., & Dezotti, M. (2012). Advanced wastewater treatment: trickling filter and activated sludge system integration for wastewater reuse. Journal of Environmental Management, 110, 8–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2012.05.021.

Chen, S., Wang, H., Luo, J., & Zhang, Y. (2019). Influence of biofilm thickness on the performance and microbial community of a biofilm wastewater treatment system. Bioresource Technology, 290, 121787. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2019.121787.

Flemming, H.-C., & Wingender, J. (2010). The biofilm matrix. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 8(9), 623–633. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro2415.

Goudar, C. T., Strevett, K. A., & Grego, J. (2011). Modelling biofilm detachment under substrate-limited conditions. Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 75(1), 56–65. https://doi.org/10.1002/bit.10004.

Guo, W., Ngo, H. H., & Li, J. (2019). A mini-review on membrane fouling. Bioresource Technology, 122, 27–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2012.04.089.

Li, Y., Chen, H., Liu, Z., Zhang, Z., & Huang, X. (2022). 3D-printed biofilm carriers for wastewater treatment: A review. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 10(1), 106953. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2021.106953.

Liu, Y., Zhang, Q., & Hu, Z. (2020). Emerging biofilm technologies for wastewater treatment: A review. Water Research, 187, 116417. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2020.116417.

Ødegaard, H. (2006). Innovations in wastewater treatment: the moving bed biofilm process. Water Science and Technology, 53(9), 17–33. https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2006.278.

Rittmann, B. E., & McCarty, P. L. (2012). Environmental biotechnology: Principles and applications (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.

Rusten, B., Eikebrokk, B., Ulgenes, Y., & Lygren, E. (2006). Design and operations of the Kaldnes moving bed biofilm reactors. Aquacultural Engineering, 34(3), 322–331. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2005.04.002.

Tchobanoglous, G., Burton, F. L., & Stensel, H. D. (2014). Wastewater engineering: Treatment and resource recovery (5th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.

Wagner, M., Loy, A., Nogueira, R., Purkhold, U., Lee, N., & Daims, H. (2015). Microbial community composition and function in wastewater treatment plants. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, 81, 665–680. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10482-002-9066-8.

Xiong, Y., & Liu, Y. (2013). Importance of extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) in biofilm formation and pollutant removal in wastewater treatment. Water Science and Technology, 63(3), 456–463. https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2011.309.

Zhang, T., Shao, M. F., & Ye, L. (2018). 454 Pyrosequencing reveals bacterial diversity of activated sludge from 14 sewage treatment plants. The ISME Journal, 6(6), 1137–1147. https://doi.org/10.1038/ismej.2011.188.

Zhao, Y., Sun, J., Dai, X., & Xu, D. (2019). Optimization of operational parameters for biofilm reactors treating wastewater. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 26, 4567–4576. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-3921-2.

Zhou, Y., Su, Y., Xu, X., & Hu, Y. (2021). Nanostructured surfaces for enhancing biofilm formation in wastewater treatment. Science of The Total Environment, 755, 142588. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142588.

Published

2025-04-19

How to Cite

Ananta, Y., & Fitri, S. D. (2025). Biofilms in Wastewater Treatment: A Systematic Review of Biological Design and Efficiency. Dinasti Information and Technology, 2(3), 129–133. https://doi.org/10.38035/dit.v2i3.1790