Still Water, Still Dangerous: The Science of Biofilms

Those who know…

A new TikTok trend has surfaced in which users discover stagnant bodies of water in abandoned buildings. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as “still water” in the community. In these viral videos, creators scratch their exploration itch by venturing into forgotten areas such as old factories, hospitals, or warehouses, only to find eerie pools of water. While this phenomenon may purely seem like entertainment on our TikTok feeds, there might actually be some truth to be found.

However, beyond the unsettling visuals, there is a hidden danger beneath the waters. Aside from being a known breeding ground for dengue-carrying mosquitoes, stagnant water may also be home to Naegleria fowleri, or the brain-eating amoeba. While rare, this tiny organism can enter through the nose and cause primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), an almost always fatal brain infection. 

So, why is stagnant water more prone to these deadly organisms? Still water is not only still, but its stillness serves as a dynamic breeding ground for all sorts of microbial life, thanks to the formation of biofilms.

Biofilms are clusters of microorganisms, such as bacteria, algae, and fungi, that stick together and attach to surfaces. These sheets of microbes form when individual cells produce a sticky, glue-like substance called extracellular polymeric substance (EPS), which acts like a protective blanket for their growing environment. This layer shields the organisms inside from dangers such as disinfectants, UV light, and rapid changes in temperature.

Over time, biofilms mature until they are ready to burst and begin the process all over again elsewhere. 

In still water, a biofilm would be almost guaranteed to form, as there would be almost no factors like flow, filtration, or human interference to disturb its growth. Left unchecked, these biofilms can quietly foster pathogens like Naegleria fowleri, turning seemingly harmless water into a delicious soup of deadly viruses, bacteria, and fungi. 

While TikTok trends may look interesting at first glance, if they seem dangerous, they probably are. So the next time you spot that random pond, it might be for the best not to get close. In the thriving world of biofilms, silent and deadly threats are quietly developing.

Those who don’t know…