Editing Biofilter (section)

===Drawbacks===

Because filtration and growth of biomass leads to an accumulation of matter in the filtering media, this type of fixed-film process is subject to [[bioclogging]] and flow channeling. Depending on the type of application and on the media used for microbial growth, bioclogging can be controlled using physical and/or chemical methods. Backwash steps can be implemented using air and/or water to disrupt the biomat and recover flow whenever possible. Chemicals such as oxidizing ([[peroxide]], [[ozone]]) or biocide agents can also be used.

Biofiltration can require a large area for some treatment techniques (suspended growth and attached growth processes) as well as long hydraulic retention times (anaerobic lagoon and anaerobic baffled reactor).<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ali Musa |first1=Mohammed |last2=Idrus |first2=Syazwani |title=Physical and Biological Treatment Technologies of Slaughterhouse Wastewater: A Review |journal=Sustainability |date=2021 |volume=13 |issue=9 |page=4656 |doi=10.3390/su13094656 |doi-access=free }}</ref>