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Biofilms, aggregates of microbes, play a crucial role in subsurface processes and applications, including groundwater contamination and remediation, as well as biomineralization. In fractured media, fluid flow predominantly occurs through fractures due to their higher permeability compared to the surrounding rock matrix. The rock matrix, on the other hand, stores most of the fluid and provides significant storage capacity. The effects of fluid flow on biofilm formation have been studied, revealing that biofilm formation can significantly alter flow paths and even clog them, thereby affecting the permeability of the medium. Recent studies also show that fluid exchange between the matrix and fractures can significantly influence solute transport, implying the potential importance of fracture-matrix flow exchange on biofilm formation within fractures. For example, nutrient exchange between the surrounding matrix and fractures can potentially control the growth pattern of biofilm. However, the interplay between fracture flows, matrix effects, and biofilm formation in fractured media remains poorly understood.
This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of biofilm formation in fracture-matrix systems by utilizing our recently developed pore-scale micro-continuum numerical model for biofilm formation [1]. We compare biofilm formation under fluid flow and nutrient transport across various fracture-matrix configurations, including a single fracture with an impermeable matrix and a fracture with a matrix of different permeability levels. Additionally, we investigate the effects of fracture roughness and flow rates on flux exchange between the fracture and matrix, as well as their impact on biofilm growth. The interplay between biofilm formation, channel flows, and matrix effects is quantified through the first passage time distribution, velocity distribution, and biofilm growth rate over time. The simulation results highlight the critical role of matrix effects on biofilm formation in fractured media, providing scientific evidence for potential applications such as bioremediation in fractured rock aquifers.
| References | [1] Li, X., Yang, X. (2025). Pore-scale modeling of biofilm formation and biofilm-induced anomalous transport features in heterogenous porous media. Advances in Water Resources, 195, 104877. |
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| Country | US |
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