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Geological Society, London, Special Publications; 2002; v. 205; p. 207-215;
DOI: 10.1144/GSL.SP.2002.205.01.16
© 2002 Geological Society of London

Biodeterioration

Biofilms and their extracellular environment on geomaterials: methods for investigation down to nanometre scale

M. Hoppert1, R. Berker1, C. Flies1, M. Kämper1, W. Pohl2, J. Schneider2 & S. Ströbel1

1 Institut für Mikrobiologie und Genetik, Universität Göttingen, Grisebachstrasse 8, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany mhopper{at}gwdg.de
2 Institut für Geologie und Dynamik der Lithosphäre, Universität Göttingen, Goldschmidstrasse 3, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany

On solid surfaces of building material, micro-organisms form a tightly attached layer that may affect the underlying substratum. The biofilm is mainly composed of cells and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS; mostly various polysaccharides). Attachment of the mature biofilm on the substratum is mediated by the EPS. For analysis by transmission electron microscopy, the biofilm structure must be maintained by appropriate methods that stabilize the organisms and especially the EPS. Specially adapted preparation techniques allow detachment of a surface biofilm or dissolution of the substratum without affecting the biofilm structure. The cellular and extracellular structures are retained in such a way that they are detectable by various specific marker systems.





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