Influence of biofilms on porous media hydrodynamics

Abstract

Microbial biofilms form in natural and engineered systems and can significantly affect the hydrodynamics in porous media. Microbial biofilms develop through the attachment and growth of microorganisms, which encase themselves in self-produced extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Microbial biofilms are, in general, more resistant to environmental stresses, such as mechanical stress, temperature, pH, and water potential fluctuations, than planktonic cells. Biofilm growth in porous media influences porosity, permeability, dispersion, diffusion, and mass transport of reactive and nonreactive solutes. Understanding and controlling biofilm formation in porous media will maximize the potential benefit and will minimize the detrimental effects of porous media biofilms. Subsurface remediation, enhanced oil recovery, and carbon sequestration are only a few examples of beneficial porous media biofilm applications.