(Fathepure and Vogel 1991). This type of bioreactor enables the bioconversion
processes to take place in spate stages. Concurrent denitrification and nitrification
take place due to the availability of anoxic and aerobic biofilms available in the novel
air-lift internal loop biofilm bioreactor (Zhang et al. 2013).
The other bioreactor is intensified biofilm-electrode reactor which utilized the
application of heterotrophic and autotrophic denitrification for the removal of nitrate
from polluted groundwater (Zhao et al. 2011). The biofilm reactors are utilized for
precipitation of metals such as zinc, copper at the interface of biofilms using
sulphate-reducing bacteria entrap (White and Gadd 1998, 2000; Smith and Gadd
2000). Several studies have been performed through adequate optimization of some
special conditions that could enhance the usage of biofilm for effective bioremediation of polluted environment (Hosseini et al. 2013; Lin and Hsien 2009; MorenoAndrade et al. 2009). The application of simulation and modelling studies have been
performed to optimize the best biodegradation condition that could enhance and
facilitate the process of ecorestoration (Coelhoso et al. 1992; Masic and Eberl 2014;
Martin et al. 2015).
9.6 Conclusion and Further Recommendation
for Further Study
This chapter has provided a detailed information on the application of biofilm for the
bioremediation and biotransformation of heavily polluted environment. Detailed
information of the modes of action and the types of biofilm produced by different
microorganism has been highlighted. There is a need for several scientists from
interdisciplinary field such as civil engineering, soil science and applied microbiology to collaborate on the best approach that could facilitate the application of biofilm
for the bioremediation of contaminated environment. The application of strain
improvement for the generation of genetically modified strain should be encouraged
for the production of enhanced biofilm with enhanced bioremediation activity.
Another improved approach that need to be built on entails the application of
DNA embracing catabolic genes that enable biodegradation of particular contaminants. This will facilitate the process of natural transformation and bioremediation.
Moreover, the application of genetically modified microorganisms with high potential for biodegradation of numerous pollutants such as genetically modified microorganisms while horizontal movement of genes with high biodegradation especially
from genetically modified microorganisms to the members of biofilms pollution
should be encouraged to facilitate the process of ecorestoration. Furthermore, the
cloning of gene that could improve the synthesis of biosurfactant and chemotactic of
genetically modified microorganisms can improve the process of bioremediation.
There is a need to also perform more research on the reengineering of secreted
proteins in biofilm matrix and their wider application for the bioremediation of
recalcitrant pollutants, heavily polluted environments and their synergetic effect
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C. O. Adetunji and O. A. Anani
processes to take place in spate stages. Concurrent denitrification and nitrification
take place due to the availability of anoxic and aerobic biofilms available in the novel
air-lift internal loop biofilm bioreactor (Zhang et al. 2013).
The other bioreactor is intensified biofilm-electrode reactor which utilized the
application of heterotrophic and autotrophic denitrification for the removal of nitrate
from polluted groundwater (Zhao et al. 2011). The biofilm reactors are utilized for
precipitation of metals such as zinc, copper at the interface of biofilms using
sulphate-reducing bacteria entrap (White and Gadd 1998, 2000; Smith and Gadd
2000). Several studies have been performed through adequate optimization of some
special conditions that could enhance the usage of biofilm for effective bioremediation of polluted environment (Hosseini et al. 2013; Lin and Hsien 2009; MorenoAndrade et al. 2009). The application of simulation and modelling studies have been
performed to optimize the best biodegradation condition that could enhance and
facilitate the process of ecorestoration (Coelhoso et al. 1992; Masic and Eberl 2014;
Martin et al. 2015).
9.6 Conclusion and Further Recommendation
for Further Study
This chapter has provided a detailed information on the application of biofilm for the
bioremediation and biotransformation of heavily polluted environment. Detailed
information of the modes of action and the types of biofilm produced by different
microorganism has been highlighted. There is a need for several scientists from
interdisciplinary field such as civil engineering, soil science and applied microbiology to collaborate on the best approach that could facilitate the application of biofilm
for the bioremediation of contaminated environment. The application of strain
improvement for the generation of genetically modified strain should be encouraged
for the production of enhanced biofilm with enhanced bioremediation activity.
Another improved approach that need to be built on entails the application of
DNA embracing catabolic genes that enable biodegradation of particular contaminants. This will facilitate the process of natural transformation and bioremediation.
Moreover, the application of genetically modified microorganisms with high potential for biodegradation of numerous pollutants such as genetically modified microorganisms while horizontal movement of genes with high biodegradation especially
from genetically modified microorganisms to the members of biofilms pollution
should be encouraged to facilitate the process of ecorestoration. Furthermore, the
cloning of gene that could improve the synthesis of biosurfactant and chemotactic of
genetically modified microorganisms can improve the process of bioremediation.
There is a need to also perform more research on the reengineering of secreted
proteins in biofilm matrix and their wider application for the bioremediation of
recalcitrant pollutants, heavily polluted environments and their synergetic effect
240
C. O. Adetunji and O. A. Anani