Model system studies of the influence of bacterial biofilm formation on mineral surface reactivity |
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Authors: | J. R. Brydie R. A. Wogelius S. Boult C. M. Merrifield |
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Affiliation: | 1. Alberta Research Council , Edmonton , Alberta , T6N 1E4 , Canada;2. School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, University of Manchester , Manchester , M13 9PL , UK;3. Coffey Geotechnics Ltd, Atlantic House , Atlantic Business Park, Simonsway , Manchester , M22 5PR , UK |
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Abstract: | Biofilm development on mineral surfaces and related changes in surface reactivity were studied using batch and flow through experiments. An artificial groundwater was used as the primary nutrient medium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAO1) was the model microbial organism and ‘mineral’ surfaces were kept as simple as possible by using glass or a polished quartz tile. Experiments were also completed with very low concentrations (100 mg l?1) of iron, Fe2+ , in the solution. In situ confocal laser scanning microscopy of developing colonies during the live growth phase, and of thick, mature biofilms, revealed only sporadic coverage of biofilm cells and associated polymers at the ‘mineral–microbe interface’. Imaging and analysis of biofilm-conditioned surfaces doped with Fe2+ -rich solutions allowed the locus and form of Fe-rich mineral precipitation to be determined and show that biological surface components can cause mineral precipitation from dilute dissolved species which might otherwise remain in solution. |
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Keywords: | mineral surface reactivity bacterial biofilm Pseudomonas |
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