Use of NMR Microscopy to examine the dynamic sub-pore-scale structure of biofilms under growth conditions
EMSL Project ID
2133
Abstract
We propose to continue our investigation of the use of NMR microscopy for resolving the sub-pore-scale structure of multiphase porous media. These results will provide crucial proof-of-principal data to be used in efforts to obtain programmatic funding from DOE for continued research on the sub-pore scale physics of multiphase media. We have conducted initial research on (1) multi-phase fluids, and (2) microbial biomass distributed within a porous network at a resolution of 31 microns. The research proposed here will be an effort to refine these techniques, specifically with regard to obtaining time series imaging of a dynamic biofilm growth process.For this work, NMR microscopy will be used to develop a 3-dimensional map of the distribution of microbial mass in the pore space of a porous medium. Only a single media type will be imaged under static hydrodynamic conditions. A 0.3 mm grain diameter material will be prepared under conditions where a biofilm (Shewanella spp.) has been grown to fill part of the void space. through the media. A volume of 8 mm x 8 mm x 8 mm will be imaged (possibly using a diffusion-weighted NMR method [Potter et al., 1996] or relaxation method [Hoskins et al., 1999]) at a 31 5m resolution to determine the distribution of the distributions of attached biomass in the system. This distribution will be monitored at various stages of growth, either by using multiple samples of porous media that have been grown for different time periods, or by iterating the NMR imaging series with injections of substrates that will allow cell growth.The distribution of microorganisms at the pore scale is a problem of interest in bioremediation, microbial transport, and medical biotechnolgy. If NMR microscopy is able to resolve these phase contacts, this method will provide a strong justification for proposing additional research regarding the micron-scale distributions of organisms in porous media.
Project Details
Project type
Capability Research
Start Date
2001-04-11
End Date
2001-04-24
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Team Members
Related Publications
Upscaling Microbial Processes in Porous Media : From the Pore to the REV and Beyond