Biofilm-flow interactions in porous media at pore scale

Most microorganisms in aquatic ecosystems are associated with solid-liquid interfaces, where they form complex three-dimensional structures known as biofilms. The formation of complex structures on solid surfaces distinguishes biofilms from planktonic microorganisms. In this project, we focus on the growth of biofilms in porous media, and we aim at characterizing the coupling between hydrodynamics and biofilm structure.

Previous experimental research on biofilm hydrodynamics suffered from the difficulty of obtaining information on both fluid flow and biofilm structure at the pore-scale and in three dimensions. We use a novel approach that combines three-dimensional particle velocimetry and X-ray microtomography to study the development of biofilms in porous media and their coupling with fluid flows. We are particularly interested in the process of colonization of porous media by the biofilm, how to model this process, and how bacterial growth is influencing and affected by flow and mass transfer processes.