Hydrodynamics in Biofilm Affected Porous Media

Much of our past research has shown that biofilm growth in porous media can affect porous media hydrodynamics and solute transport and can be utilized to control flow and solute transport.

The main contributors are currently Al Cunningham, Joe Seymour, Robert Sharp, and myself.

The following images show

1. How biofilm formation in a two-dimensional porous media model reactor is affected by biofilm growth:

2. How the location and shape of flow channels change in time

3. How biofilm growth affects tracer breakthrough

and

4. How oxygen (as indicated by the green bioluminescence) is being consumed by the Vibrio fisheri biofilms in biofilm-affected porous media reactors.

Top (a): Thin biofilm

Bottom (b): Thick biofilm with channel(s)

__MORE TO FOLLOW__ !!!