TITLE:
Biological Clogging of Sand Columns
AUTHORS:
Katsutoshi Seki
KEYWORDS:
Bioclogging; Bacteria; Hydraulic Conductivity; Microbial Effect
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Soil Science,
Vol.3 No.3,
June
21,
2013
ABSTRACT: Increased microbial activity leads to biological clogging (or bioclogging), i.e., the pore space is clogged by microbes and saturated hydraulic conductivity of porous media decreases. A series of column experiments were carried out to study the bioclogging of sand columns. Hydraulic conductivity remained unchanged when a sterilizing agent was applied; however, it decreased when a glucose solution was applied. In most cases, bioclogging proceeded from the inlet of the solution; but, in some cases, it started from the bottom or outlet of the column. In this experiment, the reduction of hydraulic conductivity was better explained by microcolony models compared to biofilm models.