Applying MagPI to Determine Adhesiveness in Matured Biofilm

The development of biofilm on sediment surface can enhance the adhesion of substratum as well as improve sediment stability. Extracellular polymer substances (EPS) produced during the formation of biofilm act as a glue to bind sediment particles together, thus increasing their stability. The adhesiveness of biofilm throughout their development on the artificial sediments has been investigated in the laboratory using magnetic particle induction (MagPI), which is a device based on the magnetic attraction of magnetic particles that sits on the biofilm surface. Flumes experiment under two different flow treatments has been prepared to be compared with each other. The data of MagPI readings have been taken during the biofilm growth. The results show a continuous increase from the beginning of experiment until they reached matured state between day 25 and day 40. The biofilm under low flow treatment reached matured state quicker compared to the biofilm growth under high flow. After they reach maturity, there are consistent readings and very small increment in the MagPI readings during plateau state. This result shows that matured biofilm may become thicker due to EPS generation, but it will not contribute to the increase of adhesiveness on the surface of biofilm.