Marine Biofilms on Natural and Artificial Surfaces : Impacts and Novel Solutions

Marine biofouling consists of the attachment of molecules, microorganisms, and macroorganisms to ship hulls and subsea equipment. Biofouling is considered one of the most critical issues that marine technology faces today since it promotes corrosion of immersed artificial surfaces and increases drags on ships, leading to high maintenance costs and fuel consumption, indirectly contributing to global warming. Moreover, biofouling contributes to biological invasions since fouling organisms are transported by vessels on sea routes. Marine biofilms, the first stage of marine fouling, are highly diverse communities growing on natural and artificial surfaces. The capacity to describe these communities’ diversity and impact has improved significantly, particularly with the development of high-throughput sequencing, metagenomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics. Additionally, there has been a great deal of investment in developing novel multidisciplinary antifouling strategies. Their objective is to target key mechanisms leading to biofouling development in marine organisms to avoid the diffusion of large-spectrum biocides in marine waters.

The objective of this Research Topic is to publish the most recent research in this field, to bridge microbiology, marine biology, and biotechnology, and to shed light on the most recent advances in marine biofouling, either to favor the diffusion of the most recent knowledge or the promotion of innovative antifouling solutions. This collection will include research on biofilm diversity, genomics, and formation mechanisms. Another covered aspect will be the impact and consequences of marine biofilms growth on artificial surfaces: contribution to corrosion, transport of invasive species, diffusion of human pathogens, including those developing in biofilms formed on marine plastic debris. The quest for novel and environmentally friendly methods to prevent biofouling formation is long-running. Even though novel antifouling products have been discovered, their long-term effect on the establishment of fouling communities in the marine environment has been poorly described. Finally, innovative and multidisciplinary antifouling approaches have been established in recent years. Thus, we intend to highlight articles that focus on developing or testing novel non-toxic antifoulants and/ or novel strategies that prevent biofilm formation and tackle their long-term impact on marine fouling communities.

This Research Topic aims to cover all themes important for the characterization of the diversity and impact of marine biofilms and biofouling communities and the discovery of novel antifoulants and their impact on fouling communities’ development. Appropriate themes include, but are not limited to:

-Adhesion and molecular mechanisms leading to marine biofilm establishment

- Identification of novel antifouling bioactive compounds/extracts and coatings

- Development of novel antifouling/antibiofilm strategies

- Microbial composition and activity of microbial species on marine biofilms

- Characterization of the diversity and functional profile of biofouling, including on plastic and microplastic debris

- Biocorrosion of submarine structures

- Biological invasions via ship hull fouling

- Environmental impact assessment of marine biofilms and biofouling

- Marine fouling and climate change