Figure 6.

Micromorphology of the biofilm on the SED surface. Coccoid microbial cells and an extracellular matrix were present at the SED surface in different amounts according to incubation time (24 h, 48 h, and 72 h) and type of sample (Ctrl: uncoated controls; R89BS: coated silicone discs). A three-dimensional architecture was also revealed in control samples at incubation times longer than 24 h. Images were captured using scanning electron microscopy, high vacuum mode (primary electron beam energy, 2 keV; original magnification 5000×).