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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 29, 2025

Protocol for Biofilm Streamer Formation in a Microfluidic Device with Micro-pillars

Protocol for Biofilm Streamer Formation in a Microfluidic Device with Micro-pillars

Published on: August 20, 2014

Boundary layer hydrodynamics of patchy biofilms.

Elizabeth A K Murphy¹, Julio M Barros², Michael P Schultz³

¹Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA.

|September 5, 2022

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Algal biofilms increase turbulence and drag in aquatic systems. Patchy biofilms cause the greatest turbulence, but uniform biofilms have higher drag, impacting ship performance.

Keywords:

Biofouling PIV algal biofilm boundary layer roughness turbulence

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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

Area of Science:

Fluid dynamics
Ecology
Bioengineering

Background:

Algal biofilms are common in aquatic environments, affecting engineered systems and ecosystems.
Biofilm structure changes over time, leading to patchiness, but its hydrodynamic impact is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate how different algal biofilm structures (sparse, uniform, patchy) affect near-bed hydrodynamics.
To quantify turbulence, shear stress, and rotational flow over these biofilms.

Main Methods:

Utilized high-resolution particle image velocimetry (PIV).
Examined biofilms at turbulent Reynolds numbers.
Compared flow over biofilms to a smooth wall.

Main Results:

All biofilms increased near-bed turbulence production, Reynolds shear stress, and rotational flow compared to a smooth wall.
Non-uniform (patchy) biofilms showed the greatest increase in turbulence and rotational flow.
Uniform biofilms exhibited a higher drag coefficient than patchy biofilms.

Conclusions:

Biofilm physical structure significantly alters hydrodynamics.
Percent coverage is a key factor predicting a biofilm's drag effect.
Understanding biofilm structure is crucial for predicting impacts on surfaces like ship hulls.