Biofilms in Water-Energy-Nexus

Biofilms are used to clean wastewater, convert chemical energy in wastewater to electrical energy, and are ubiquitous in water bodies. Therefore they play a crucial role in the water-energy nexus. In addition, biofilms on electrodes acting as anodic or cathodic biocatalysts can be used to improve water quality. This section invites papers describing the use of biofilms relevant to the water-energy nexus. Specifically, we welcome papers describing 1) the use of biofilms to clean water, 2) the use of biofilms to convert chemical energy in wastewater to electrical energy, 3) the use of biofilms on electrodes to enhance water treatment, 4) the use of biofilms in energy producing devices in natural waters (i.e. sediment/benthic microbial fuel cells), 5) the use of biofilms on electrodes for water desalination, and 6) biofilms used to monitor water quality. Basic science approaches describing mass and electron fluxes operating inside these biofilms that are within the context of the water-energy nexus are especially welcome. We also welcome innovative applications of biofilms not explicitly described above that may be of interest to biofilm researchers.