Transport of Sporosarcina pasteurii in sandstone and its significance for subsurface engineering technologies

Tobler, D. J., Cuthbert, M. O. and Phoenix, V. R. (2014) Transport of Sporosarcina pasteurii in sandstone and its significance for subsurface engineering technologies. Applied Geochemistry, 42, pp. 38-44. (doi: 10.1016/j.apgeochem.2014.01.004)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2014.01.004

Abstract

The development of microbially mediated technologies for subsurface remediation and rock engineering is steadily increasing; however, we are lacking experimental data and models to predict bacterial movement through rock matrices. Here, breakthrough curves (BTCs) were obtained to quantify the transport of the ureolytic bacterium, Sporosarcina pasteurii, through sandstone cores, as a function of core length (1.8–7.5 cm), bacterial density (4 × 10<sup>6</sup> to 9 × 10<sup>7</sup> cells/ml) and flow rate (5.8–17.5 m/s). <i>S. pasteurii</i> was easily immobilised within the homogeneous sandstone matrix (>80%) in comparison to a packed sand column (<20%; under similar experimental conditions), and percentage recovery decreased almost linearly with increasing rock core length. Moreover, a decrease in bacterial density or flow rate enhanced bacterial retention. A numerical model based on 1D advection dispersion models used for unconsolidated sand was fitted to the BTC data obtained here for sandstone. Good agreement between data and model was obtained at shorter rock core lengths (<4 cm), suggesting that physicochemical filtration processes are similar in homogeneous packed sand and sandstones at these lengths. Discrepancies were, however observed at longer core lengths and with varying flow rates, indicating that the attributes of consolidated rock might impact bacterial transport progressively more with increasing core length. Implications of these results on microbial mineralisation technologies currently being developed for sealing fluid paths in subsurface environment is discussed.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Tobler, Dr Dominique and Phoenix, Dr Vernon
Authors: Tobler, D. J., Cuthbert, M. O., and Phoenix, V. R.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
Journal Name:Applied Geochemistry
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0883-2927
ISSN (Online):1872-9134
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2014 The Authors
First Published:First published in Applied Geochemistry 42:38-44
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
474402Biogeochemical Applications in Nuclear Decommissioning and Waste DisposalVernon PhoenixEngineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/G063699/1SCHOOL OF GEOGRAPHICAL & EARTH SCIENCES