16S rRNA sequencing of biofilms in agricultural water distribution systems

Biofilm causes considerable technical challenges in agricultural water distribution systems. This study assessed the control effects of electrochemical treatment (ECT) for the systems. Biofilms were cultured with a total time of 294h. 16s rRNA gene sequencing was applied to determine bacterial communities within biofilms. Treatment performances were assessed using continuous ECT (Con_ECT) and intermittent ECT (Int_ECT) together with a negative control (CK: no-ECT). Biofilms in each group were tested with six replicates with a total of 18 samples were obtained. For example, CK_1, CK_2, CK_3, CK_4, CK_5, and CK_6 were the six replicates for CK group.