Evaluation of microbial proliferation on cementitious materials exposed to biogas systems

Author(s): Célestine Voegel, Nadège Durban, Alexandra Bertron, Yann Landon and Benjamin Erable
Paper category: Proceedings
Book title: Proceedings of the Final Conference of RILEM 253-MCI Microorganisms-Cementitious Materials Interactions Volume I
Editor(s): Alexandra Bertron and Henk Jonkers
ISBN: 978-2-35158-207-7 (Set)
ISBN: 978-2-35158-209-1 (Volume1)
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-206-0
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2018
Pages: 243-257
Total Pages: 288
Language : English

Abstract: Understanding biofilm-cementitious materials interactions in biogas production systems is an essential step toward the development of durable concrete in this expanding sector. If the action of the liquid phase medium on the material has been the subject of several research studies, the possible impact of the material’s properties on the biofilm formation and composition has been little investigated, if at all. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the biofilm characteristics, as a function of the materials’ surface properties. Four cementitious materials with varied chemical, and mineralogical compositions, and topological surface characteristics (pastes of CEM I, CEM III/C, and CAC and CEM I paste treated with oxalic acid) were exposed to the liquid phase of a fermenting biowaste for 10 weeks. The steps of biofilm formation were observed using SEM. Even though all the cementitious materials surfaces were intensely colonized at the end of the experiments, the establishment of the biofilm seems to have been delayed on the oxalate-treated CEM I and on CAC coupons. Roughness and surface pH did not have a primary order effect on the biofilm development. The analysis of bacterial population diversity using 16S rDNA sequencing showed a less diversified microbial flora of the biofilm than in the reaction medium.

Online publication : 2018
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros) : 0.00