Biofilms

This image shows benthic biofilms growing in Wilson Park at 13th Street, Milwaukee.

Ice removal is a critical safety step in your airborne journey, but have you ever wondered what happens to that deicing material after it does its job? Some of it degrades on the airfield surface, and airports often clean up much of it, but some can still run off into water. USGS research conducted in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, shows that deicers, which are rich in organic compounds, can enter nearby streams and promote biofilm growth: http://ow.ly/pzvk50y2sJg.