Methanogenic bacteria adhered to solid supports

Adhesion of methanogenic bacteria and acidogenic bacteria to solid supports has been studied by using various solid materials. Three kinds of bacteria slurries were prepared for the experiments. These were cultured by feeding them acetic acid, an acid mixture and a mixture of glucose and pepton respectively. Test specimens were submerged into the bacteria slurries for different periods of time. The overall process of biofilm development was divided into 3 phases: induction, accumulation and dynamic balance between production and shearing. The quantity of adhered biomass varied with the characteristics of the solid supports. Bacteria adhered to the moderately rough surfaces that have pores measuring a few tenths of a micron in diameter more than the polished surfaces and rough surfaces and preferably adhered to the solid supports made of carbon material. The formation of the biofilm depends not only on the characteristics of the bacteria and fluid regimes but also on the characteristics of the solid supports.