Biofilm is inhomogeneous, thin film-like matter formed on materials’
surfaces. It is actually a hydrogel and composed of water (about 80% depending on the
formation stages), external polysaccharides (EPS) and bacteria themselves. When
materials are immersed into marine environments, biofilms form by bacterial activity.
However, the process contains many steps. The formation and growth capability of
biofilms are determined by the combination of environmental factors (bacteria, biota,
temperatures, etc.) and materials. In this chapter, the authors describe the general
biofilm formation process and discuss how various materials affect biofilm formation
and growth.
Keywords: Biofilms, EPS, Bacteria, Metals, Ceramics, Polymers, Hydrophilicity,
Hydrophobicity, Water repellency, Van der Waals forces, Electric double layer,
Zeta potential.
