Evaluation of a coupled mass transport-biofilm process model using dissolved oxygen microsensors

Abstract

A 2-dimensional model has been developed which couples hydrodynamics, solute transport and reaction in a steady state biofilm system of irregular geometry under laminar flow. Biofilm thickness is initially specified over the domain and remains constant during the simulations. The Navier-Stokes equations are coupled with advection-diffusion-reaction equations describing oxygen transport and solved using finite differences. This model facilitates computational investigation of fluid velocity and solute concentration distributions in proximity to the fluid-biofilm interface. Model evaluation has been carried out using dissolved oxygen profiles measured by microsensors in a rectangular open channel with a 300 μm (approximate) artificial biofilm composed of alginate gel with an 8×1010 cells/ml concentration of Ps. aeruginosa cells. Significant variability in dissolved oxygen profile shape was observed at three locations on the artificial biofilm. Model simulations of these experiments facilitated a direct comparison between observed and computed values of dissolved oxygen concentration in the vicinity of the fluid-biofilm interface. Simulated profiles agreed closely with measured profiles at all three locations.