Liquid flow in heterogeneous biofilms
Liquid flow in heterogeneous biofilms
Liquid flow was studied in aerobic biofilms, consisting of microbial cell clusters (discrete aggregates of densely packed cells) and interstitial voids. Fluorescein microinjection was used as a qualitative technique to determine the presence of flow in cell clusters and voids. Flow velocity profiles were determined by tracking fluorescent latex spheres using confocal microscopy. Liquid was flowing through the voids and was stagnant in the cell clusters. Consequently, in voids both diffusion and convection may contribute to mass transfer, whereas in cell clusters diffusion is the dominant factor. The flow velocity in the biofilm depended on the average flow velocity of the bulk liquid. The velocity profiles in biofilms were linear and the velocity was zero at the substratum surface. The velocity gradients within biofilms were 50% of that near walls without biofilm coverage. The influence of the biofilm roughness on the flow velocity profiles was similar to that caused by rigid roughness elements.
636-641
de Beer, D.
dacf8ca7-27c7-4572-882a-7111159d10cc
Stoodley, P.
08614665-92a9-4466-806e-20c6daeb483f
Lewandowski, Z.
1f3f2a52-af00-4d39-99b9-cb4a372959ce
20 August 1994
de Beer, D.
dacf8ca7-27c7-4572-882a-7111159d10cc
Stoodley, P.
08614665-92a9-4466-806e-20c6daeb483f
Lewandowski, Z.
1f3f2a52-af00-4d39-99b9-cb4a372959ce
de Beer, D., Stoodley, P. and Lewandowski, Z.
(1994)
Liquid flow in heterogeneous biofilms.
Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 44 (5), .
(doi:10.1002/bit.260440510).
Abstract
Liquid flow was studied in aerobic biofilms, consisting of microbial cell clusters (discrete aggregates of densely packed cells) and interstitial voids. Fluorescein microinjection was used as a qualitative technique to determine the presence of flow in cell clusters and voids. Flow velocity profiles were determined by tracking fluorescent latex spheres using confocal microscopy. Liquid was flowing through the voids and was stagnant in the cell clusters. Consequently, in voids both diffusion and convection may contribute to mass transfer, whereas in cell clusters diffusion is the dominant factor. The flow velocity in the biofilm depended on the average flow velocity of the bulk liquid. The velocity profiles in biofilms were linear and the velocity was zero at the substratum surface. The velocity gradients within biofilms were 50% of that near walls without biofilm coverage. The influence of the biofilm roughness on the flow velocity profiles was similar to that caused by rigid roughness elements.
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Published date: 20 August 1994
Organisations:
Engineering Mats & Surface Engineerg Gp
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Local EPrints ID: 157471
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/157471
ISSN: 0006-3592
PURE UUID: b4540b36-4bf8-4d34-a1c3-8511e006c7d5
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Date deposited: 15 Jun 2010 13:39
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 02:55
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Author:
D. de Beer
Author:
Z. Lewandowski
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