Interactions between microbial biofilms and marine fouling algae: a mini review

Abstract

Natural and artificial substrata immersed in the marine environment are typically colonized by microorganisms, which may moderate the settlement/recruitment of algal spores and invertebrate larvae of macrofouling organisms. This mini-review summarizes the major interactions occurring between microbial biofilms and marine fouling algae, including their effects on the settlement, growth and morphology of the adult plants. The roles of chemical compounds that are produced by both bacteria and algae and which drive the interactions are reviewed. The possibility of using such bioactive compounds to control macrofouling will be discussed.

Keywords:

• microbial biofilms
• bacteria
• marine algae
• Ulva spp.
• diatoms
• settlement
• secondary metabolites
• quorum sensing

Acknowledgements

This work was funded by the European Community Framework Programme 7, SEACOAT (Surface Engineering for Antifouling-Coordinated Advanced Training), under [Grant Agreement number 237997].