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Sagittal view of biofilm, taken with confocal scanning laser
microscopy, showing the flow of 0.2 micron diameter beads past, and
into, the biofilm
clusters. Nutrients, oxygen, sediment and
other microbes can become entrained in
a biofilm in this way.
Courtesy, Paul Stoodley |
Practical Implications
Biofouling of water distribution systems poses significant
infrastructure and water quality problems.
Numerous reactions take place in
the pipes of a water system; thick biofilms may reduce flow, and
will certainly harbor contaminants and promote corrosion.
Since biofilm formation is all but ubiquitous in distribution
systems, one avenue of development is to design a biological unit
process for removing organic matter upstream of sensitive clean
water components. This kind of
biological pretreatment reduces the organic material that serves
as nutrient and so limits biofilm growth.
Movie: Fluid transport of beads through
biofilm channels
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Selected CBE Publications
Transport and Diffusion
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