Reaction kinetics in biofilms

A novel in situ microtechnique allows evaluating parameters of diffusion-controlled reactions in biofilms. A microprobe, 15 mum in diameter, was used to simultaneously measure the dissolved oxygen concentration and the optical density at different depths in a submerged biofilm. Based on the results, the biofilm diffusion coefficient for dissolved oxygen, D(f) the dissolved oxygen flux through the biofilm surface, J(02), and the half velocity coefficient, K(s), have been calculated.