Detachment and diffusive-convective transport in an evolving heterogeneous two-dimensional biofilm hybrid model

Under the hypothesis of correlation between biofilm survival and nutrient availability, by considering fluid drag forces and mortality due to nutrient depletion, a biofilm detachment/breaking condition is derived. The mechanisms leading to biofilm detachment/breaking are discussed. We construct and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPhysical review. E, Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics Vol. 70; no. 6 Pt 1; p. 061909
Main Authors Luna, E, Domínguez-Zacarias, G, Ferreira, C Pio, Velasco-Hernandez, J X
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.12.2004
Subjects
Bacterial Adhesion - physiology
Biofilms - growth & development
Biological Transport, Active - physiology
Cell Proliferation
Computer Simulation
Computers, Molecular
Diffusion
Microfluidics - methods
Models, Biological
Motion
Porosity
Stress, Mechanical
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Summary:Under the hypothesis of correlation between biofilm survival and nutrient availability, by considering fluid drag forces and mortality due to nutrient depletion, a biofilm detachment/breaking condition is derived. The mechanisms leading to biofilm detachment/breaking are discussed. We construct and describe a hybrid model for a heterogeneous biofilm attached to walls in a channel where liquid is flowing. The model is called hybrid because it couples conservation equations with a cellular automaton. The biofilm layer is viewed as a porous medium with variable porosity, tortuosity, and permeability. The model is solved using asymptotic and finite differences methods. Results for porosity, nutrient distribution, and average surface location are presented. The model is capable of reproducing biofilm heterogeneity as well as the typical surface fingering (mushroomlike structure).
ISSN:1539-3755
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevE.70.061909