Studying motility pattern of Geobacter for improved understanding of their role in immobilization of some metals
EMSL Project ID
48992
Abstract
Remediation of metal and radionuclide contaminants in soil and groundwater systems is challenging because of their strong chemical interactions with mineral surfaces and low concentration limits for human health requirements. By stimulating the activity of natural microorganisms it is possible to manipulate the redox state of contaminants and greatly decrease their solubility, rendering them immobile and therefore reducing the risk of human exposure. Accurate numerical models of bioremediation are needed to support design and evaluation of field implementations. Although there is extensive evidence suggesting the important role that mobile (planktonic) bacteria play in bioremediation of metals, both from field experiments and numerical studies, few models used for this purpose directly simulate planktonic bacteria movement or include active motility or chemotaxis effects. We propose to perform microscale experiments using advanced microfluidics and imaging techniques to develop models of Geobacter movements in porous media. These models will lay the groundwork for later incorporation of the findings into pore-scale simulations that will be used to generalize the experimental observations to a broader range of pore geometries and flow conditions. The overarching objective of this research is to improve the predictive capabilities of numerical simulators by incorporating understanding of microbial motility, which will provide better tools to guide remedial design and decisions aimed at protecting the public from exposure to subsurface contaminants.
Project Details
Project type
Limited Scope
Start Date
2015-07-14
End Date
2015-09-13
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Co-Investigator(s)
Related Publications
Sund N, X Yang, R Parashar, AE Plymale, D Hu, RT Kelly, and TD Scheibe. 2017. "Species and scale dependence of bacterial motion dynamics." Abstract submitted to AGU Fall Meeting 2017, NEW ORLEANS, LA. PNNL-SA-128231.
Yang X., R. Parashar, N. Sund, A.E. Plymale, T.D. Scheibe, D. Hu, and R.T. Kelly. 2019. "On Modeling Ensemble Transport of Metal Reducing Motile Bacteria." Scientific Reports 9. PNNL-SA-134947. doi:10.1038/s41598-019-51271-0