The Role of FeOB in Engineered Water Ecosystems: A Review

Iron‐oxidizing bacteria have a long history with the water industry, stemming primarily from their role as nuisance organisms that can cause clogging, corrosion, and fouling in water distribution systems. Recent studies of these bacteria in natural ecosystems have greatly increased the knowledge of their taxonomy, diversity, and detection, as well as their basic ecology and physiology. Recent work on the applied aspects of iron oxidizers indicates that they are important in biofiltration processes and suggests that there may be unrealized benefits in treating them as beneficial microbes. This review aims to stimulate an exchange between microbiological and applied researchers, and toward that end, some areas for future research are discussed. Water industry professionals may gain additional insight into the vital conditions and available research tools for iron‐oxidizing bacteria; microbiologists may discover new—and more or less controlled—environmental habitats for basic research that also supports applications in water treatment.