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Influence of microbial growth on hydraulic properties of pore networks
Published in Poul L. Bjerg, Peter Engesgaard, Thomas D. Krom, Groundwater 2000, 2020
Martin Thullner, Josef Zeyer, Wolfgang Kinzelbach
The ability of bacterial biomass to change hydraulic properties of a saturated porous medium has been observed in laboratory studies. The occurrence of this phenomenon, bioclogging, in the field has been assumed, but is difficult to prove. Focusing on the possible influence of bioclogging on the applicability of bioremediation techniques, two contrary effects can be envisioned. Bioclogging may reduce the success of bioremediation because due to microbial activity contaminated parts of an aquifer can clog and rates of degradation can decrease in these parts. On the other hand, controlled clogging of an aquifer may be used to build up biobarriers which could be used to increase the success of remediation. For these reasons, it is necessary to investigate and understand the way bacteria or biomass related to bacterial growth (e.g. polysaccharides) can change the flow parameters of a given medium.
Biomaterials and Bioprocesses of Construction Biotechnology
Published in Volodymyr Ivanov, Environmental Microbiology for Engineers, 2020
Bioclogging is the diminishing of the hydraulic conductivity of soil and porous rocks due to microbial activity or microbial products. It could be used to diminish drain channel erosion, form grout curtains to reduce the migration of heavy metals and organic pollutants, and prevent seepage in earth dams, dikes, tunnels, landfills, channels, ponds, lakes.
Application of filter media surface hydrophobic modification to reduce bioclogging in the infiltration system
Published in Environmental Technology, 2023
Ping Tang, Penghui Ma, Shichao Weng, Yongchao Zhou
Bioclogging can influence flow, solute transport, and biogeochemical reactions in infiltration systems, affecting the quality of infiltrated water [9], increasing the frequency of maintenance [10]. Given the importance of bioclogging in infiltration systems, it is necessary to take measures to avoid and mitigate bioclogging to improve the performance of filtration media with high purification efficiency and infiltration rates. Bioclogging can be dealt with by conventional methods, such as replacing clogged media, backwashing the substrate, which needs excessive operational efforts and high cost, however. Nowadays, several technologies were studied to solve the bioclogging problem, such as biotechnology with earthworms to improve hydraulic conductivity, dosing biosurfactant rhamnolipid to dissolve the clogging matter [11], or enzyme to digest the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) [12]. Meanwhile, practices to prevent bioclogging in infiltration systems are another strategy, which includes applying resting operation [13], using anaerobic digesters as pre-treatment [14], optimizing the stone organization [15] as well as air/water flush. However, resting operation lowered the loading rate of wastewater, while it’s inconvenient to implement water flushing, pretreatment or stone organization. Therefore, further researches are required to reduce bioclogging and, thus, to improve the performance of infiltration systems.