Quantitative analysis of transverse bacterial migration induced by chemotaxis in a packed column with structured physical heterogeneity.

ABSTRACT: A two-dimensional mathematical model was developed to simulate transport phenomena of chemotactic bacteria in a sand-packed column designed with structured physical heterogeneity in the presence of a localized chemical source. In contrast to mathematical models in previous research work, in which bacteria were typically treated as immobile colloids, this model incorporated a convective-like chemotaxis term to represent chemotactic migration. Consistency between experimental observation and model prediction supported the assertions that (1) dispersion-induced microbial transfer between adjacent conductive zones occurred at the interface and had little influence on bacterial transport in the bulk flow of the permeable layers and (2) the enhanced transverse bacterial migration in chemotactic

SUBMITTER: Wang M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2811373 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature