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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Methods for Characterizing the Co-development of Biofilm and Habitat Heterogeneity

Methods for Characterizing the Co-development of Biofilm and Habitat Heterogeneity

Published on: March 11, 2015

Liquid flow in heterogeneous biofilms.

D de Beer¹, P Stoodley, Z Lewandowski

¹Center for Biofilm Engineering, 409 Cbleigh Hall, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717-0398, USA.

Biotechnology and Bioengineering

|August 20, 1994

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Liquid flows through aerobic biofilm voids but is stagnant in microbial cell clusters. This difference impacts mass transfer, with diffusion dominating in clusters and both diffusion and convection in voids.

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Combining Fluidic Devices with Microscopy and Flow Cytometry to Study Microbial Transport in Porous Media Across Spatial Scales

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Published on: November 25, 2020

Area of Science:

Microbiology
Fluid Dynamics
Biotechnology

Background:

Aerobic biofilms are complex microbial communities with distinct structures.
Understanding liquid flow within biofilms is crucial for predicting mass transfer and microbial activity.
Previous studies have often assumed uniform flow or lacked detailed velocity profiles.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate liquid flow patterns within aerobic biofilms at the microscale.
To differentiate flow behavior in microbial cell clusters versus interstitial voids.
To determine the impact of biofilm structure on flow velocity and gradients.

Main Methods:

Qualitative assessment of flow using fluorescein microinjection.
Quantitative measurement of flow velocity profiles via confocal microscopy of fluorescent latex spheres.
Analysis of biofilm structure including cell clusters and interstitial voids.

Main Results:

Liquid flow was confirmed in interstitial voids but found to be stagnant within microbial cell clusters.
Mass transfer mechanisms differ: convection and diffusion in voids, primarily diffusion in clusters.
Biofilm flow velocity correlated linearly with bulk liquid velocity, with zero velocity at the substratum.
Velocity gradients within biofilms were reduced compared to smooth surfaces and influenced by biofilm roughness.

Conclusions:

Biofilm architecture significantly alters local liquid flow, creating distinct microenvironments.
Stagnant zones in cell clusters limit convective mass transfer, potentially influencing microbial metabolism.
Biofilm roughness affects flow dynamics similarly to physical roughness elements, impacting substrate and nutrient delivery.