Reaction kinetics in biofilms

Abstract

A novel in situ microtechnique allows evaluating parameters of diffusion-controlled reactions in biofilms. A microprobe, 15 μm in diameter, was used to simultaneously measure the dissolved oxygen concentration and the optical density at different depths in a submerged biofilm. Based on the results, the biofilm diffusion coefficient for dissolved oxygen, D_f the dissolved oxygen flux through the biofilm surface, J₀₂, and the half velocity coefficient, K_s, have been calculated.