Experimental investigation of the effect of carbon dioxide on Pseudomonas putida biofilms in a two-dimensional glass network micromodel

• Sudden CO2 release is responsible for P. putida biofilm breakdown.
• Regrowth of P. putida biofilms starts immediately after the end of CO2 injection.
• Older (fully developed) biofilm is more resistant to breakdown during CO2 release.
• CO2 injection considerably improves the intrinsic permeability of porous media.

Capturing and storing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in properly selected deep geologic formations is considered a promising solution for the reduction of CO2 in the atmosphere. However, potential CO2 leakage from a storage geologic formation is a major concern. In this work, the impact of CO2 on biofilm formations is examined experimentally. In order to estimate the effect of CO2 on biofilm formation, Pseudomonas putida biofilm was developed in a glass-etched pore network micromodel, where CO2 injections were conducted. The transient growth of biofilm was monitored by taking high-resolution digital snapshots at various times. Biofilm and gas saturations of the micromodel were determined by binary image analysis of the various snapshots recorded. The observed biofilm breakdown due to CO2 injection was discussed. It was shown that a CO2 release affects only temporarily the P. putida biofilm. Also, biofilm age is significant to biofilm breakdown, because denser biofilm (fully developed) near the inlet of the pore network is affected less by a CO2 release.

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