Investigating biofilm structure developing on carriers from lab-scale moving bed biofilm reactors based on light microscopy and optical coherence tomography

Journal article (2016)

Authors

Chunyan Li Karlsruhe Institut für Technologie

S. Felz BT/Environmental Biotechnology - , Karlsruhe Institut für Technologie

Michael Wagner Karlsruhe Institut für Technologie

Susanne Lackner Bauhaus University Weimar

Harald Horn Karlsruhe Institut für Technologie

Research Group

BT/Environmental Biotechnology () (TU Delft)

Optical coherence tomography Moving bed biofilm reactor Biofilm structure Light microscopy Structural parameter

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Published Date

2016

Language

English

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Faculty

Applied Sciences

Department

BT/Biotechnologie

Research Group

BT/Environmental Biotechnology

Abstract

This study focused on characterizing the structure of biofilms developed on carriers used in lab-scale moving bed biofilm reactors. Both light microscopy (2D) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were employed to track the biofilm development on carriers of different geometry and under different aeration rates. Biofilm structure was further characterized with respect to average biofilm thickness, biofilm growth velocity, biomass volume, compartment filling degree, surface area, etc. The results showed that carriers with a smaller compartment size stimulated a quick establishment of biofilms. Low aeration rates favored fast development of biofilms. Comparison between the results derived from 2D and 3D images revealed comparable results with respect to average biofilm thickness and compartment filling degree before the carrier compartments were fully willed with biomass. However, 3D imaging with OCT was capable of visualizing and quantifying the heterogeneous structure of biofilms, which cannot be achieved using 2D imaging.