HR: 0801h
AN: NS11B-0493    [Abstracts]
TI: Polarization Force Microscopy of the Cell-Mineral Interface: Insights Into the Bioelectric Signature
AU: * Bartosik, E M
EM: ebartos@clemson.edu
AF: Clemson University Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, 340 Brackett Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, United States
AU: Kendall, T A
EM: treavok@clemson.edu
AF: Clemson University Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, 340 Brackett Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, United States
AB: The success of bioremediation strategies is dependent upon effective monitoring of microorganisms in the subsurface. Induced polarization (IP) may represent a cost-effective, complementary technique to existing borehole-based microbe detection schemes. Recent studies show a significant, yet poorly understood IP effect associated with the presence of bacteria in aqueous and porous media. This effect is believed to be rooted in the physicochemical surface interactions between cells and minerals which we probe using polarization and electric force microscopy. Dispersions of the local permittivity inferred from polarization force data that was collected over a hydrated mineral surface correspond to dispersions modeled for a bacterium. In each case, absolute permittivities and frequency cut-off values increase with surface potential and ion mobility, respectively. Potentially similar polarization mechanisms between the inorganic and organic condition are inferred. Further polarization force microscopy measurements of the mineral-microbe interface will provide molecular-level insight that complements column and field-scale IP observations. Anticipated is a more comprehensive mechanisitic description of the bioelectric IP response that facilitates application of IP to bioremediation.
DE: 0416 Biogeophysics
DE: 0418 Bioremediation
DE: 1835 Hydrogeophysics
SC: Near-Surface Geophysics [NS]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting