Artificial substrata to assess ecological and ecotoxicological responses in river biofilms: Use and recommendations
River biofilms are biological consortia of autotrophs and heterotrophs colonizing most solid surfaces in rivers. Biofilm composition and biomass differ according to the environmental conditions, having different characteristics between systems and even between river habitats. Artificial substrata (A...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2023-01-01
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| Series: | MethodsX |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2215016123000924 |
| _version_ | 1797796468871921664 |
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| author | Anna Freixa Javier Ortiz-Rivero Sergi Sabater |
| author_facet | Anna Freixa Javier Ortiz-Rivero Sergi Sabater |
| author_sort | Anna Freixa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | River biofilms are biological consortia of autotrophs and heterotrophs colonizing most solid surfaces in rivers. Biofilm composition and biomass differ according to the environmental conditions, having different characteristics between systems and even between river habitats. Artificial substrata (AS) are an alternative for in situ or laboratory experiments to handle the natural variability of biofilms. However, specific research goals may require decisions on colonization time or type of substrata. Substrata properties (i.e., texture, roughness, hydrophobicity) and the colonization period and site are selective factors of biofilm characteristics. Here we describe the uses of artificial substrata in the assessment of ecological and ecotoxicological responses and propose a decision tree for the best use of artificial substrata in river biofilm studies. We propose departing from the purpose of the study to define the necessity of obtaining a realistic biofilm community, from which it may be defined the colonization time, the colonization site, and the type of artificial substratum. Having a simple or mature biofilm community should guide our decisions on the colonization time and type of substrata to be selected for the best use of AS in biofilm studies. Tests involving contaminants should avoid adsorbing materials while those ecologically oriented may use any AS mimicking those substrata occurring in the streambed. • We review the utilization of different artificial substrata to colonize biofilm in river ecology and ecotoxicology. • We propose a decision tree to guide on selecting the appropriate artificial substrata and colonization site and duration. • Type of artificial substrata (material, size, shape...) and colonization duration are to be decided according to the specific purpose of the study. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T03:33:33Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9519433bdc864ee69fdace1b77a9b83a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2215-0161 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T03:33:33Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | MethodsX |
| spelling | doaj.art-9519433bdc864ee69fdace1b77a9b83a2023-06-24T05:17:17ZengElsevierMethodsX2215-01612023-01-0110102089Artificial substrata to assess ecological and ecotoxicological responses in river biofilms: Use and recommendationsAnna Freixa0Javier Ortiz-Rivero1Sergi Sabater2Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA-CERCA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; University of Girona, Plaça de Sant Domènec 3, 17004, Girona, SpainCatalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA-CERCA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; University of Girona, Plaça de Sant Domènec 3, 17004, Girona, SpainCatalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA-CERCA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Campus de Montilivi, 17071 Girona, Spain; Corresponding author.River biofilms are biological consortia of autotrophs and heterotrophs colonizing most solid surfaces in rivers. Biofilm composition and biomass differ according to the environmental conditions, having different characteristics between systems and even between river habitats. Artificial substrata (AS) are an alternative for in situ or laboratory experiments to handle the natural variability of biofilms. However, specific research goals may require decisions on colonization time or type of substrata. Substrata properties (i.e., texture, roughness, hydrophobicity) and the colonization period and site are selective factors of biofilm characteristics. Here we describe the uses of artificial substrata in the assessment of ecological and ecotoxicological responses and propose a decision tree for the best use of artificial substrata in river biofilm studies. We propose departing from the purpose of the study to define the necessity of obtaining a realistic biofilm community, from which it may be defined the colonization time, the colonization site, and the type of artificial substratum. Having a simple or mature biofilm community should guide our decisions on the colonization time and type of substrata to be selected for the best use of AS in biofilm studies. Tests involving contaminants should avoid adsorbing materials while those ecologically oriented may use any AS mimicking those substrata occurring in the streambed. • We review the utilization of different artificial substrata to colonize biofilm in river ecology and ecotoxicology. • We propose a decision tree to guide on selecting the appropriate artificial substrata and colonization site and duration. • Type of artificial substrata (material, size, shape...) and colonization duration are to be decided according to the specific purpose of the study.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2215016123000924Use of artificial substrata for colonizing river biofilms |
| spellingShingle | Anna Freixa Javier Ortiz-Rivero Sergi Sabater Artificial substrata to assess ecological and ecotoxicological responses in river biofilms: Use and recommendations MethodsX Use of artificial substrata for colonizing river biofilms |
| title | Artificial substrata to assess ecological and ecotoxicological responses in river biofilms: Use and recommendations |
| title_full | Artificial substrata to assess ecological and ecotoxicological responses in river biofilms: Use and recommendations |
| title_fullStr | Artificial substrata to assess ecological and ecotoxicological responses in river biofilms: Use and recommendations |
| title_full_unstemmed | Artificial substrata to assess ecological and ecotoxicological responses in river biofilms: Use and recommendations |
| title_short | Artificial substrata to assess ecological and ecotoxicological responses in river biofilms: Use and recommendations |
| title_sort | artificial substrata to assess ecological and ecotoxicological responses in river biofilms use and recommendations |
| topic | Use of artificial substrata for colonizing river biofilms |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2215016123000924 |
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