Dynamic and structural response of a multispecies biofilm to environmental perturbations induced by the continuous increase of benzimidazole fungicides in a permeable reactive biobarrier.

The usefulness of the method of gradual delivery of potentially toxic agents for a microbial community immobilized in a tubular biofilm reactor was shown since its functional and structural dynamics were quickly evaluated in response to fungicide composition and concentration changes. The rapid adjustment of the contaminants' removal rates indicates that even with changes in the taxonomic structure of a microbial community, its functional redundancy favors its adjustment to gradual environmental disturbances.