Evaluation of positron emission tomography as a method to visualize subsurface microbial processes

► We demonstrated the feasibility of using PET to visualize a soil microorganism useful for bioremediation with a series of proof of principle experiments. ► First, we simultaneously traced soil column flow with a radiotracer and a conventional cold (non-radioactive) tracer. ► Next, we determined the image resolution for radiolabeled microbes using bacterial colony-sized volumes of radiotracer sorbent. ► Finally, we examined the possibility of using a radiolabeled glucose analog (18FDG) to visualize metabolically active bacteria in a soil column model.