TY - JOUR
T1 - Complex Dielectric Properties of Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria Suspensions
AU - Zhang, Chi
AU - Slater, Lee
AU - Prodan, Camelia
N1 - Funding Information:
Support for this research was provided by Subsurface Biogeochemical Research, U.S. Department of Energy, under grant ER64855. We thank Ashwini Bendiganavale (New Jersey Institute of Technology) and Dr. Dimitrios Ntarlagiannis (Rut-gers University –Newark) for SEM images, and Dr. Trevor Tyson (New Jersey Institute of Technology) for synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy. We thank Dr. Andre Revil (Colorado School of Mines) for helpful discussions, and two referees for constructive edits and suggestions.
PY - 2013/7
Y1 - 2013/7
N2 - Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) can potentially enhance the remediation of heavy metals in the subsurface. Previous geophysical research has demonstrated the sensitivity of electrical measurements to SRB-mediated mineral transformation in porous media. However, the inherent dielectric properties of SRB and their direct contribution to the electrical properties of porous media are poorly understood. We studied the complex dielectric properties of SRB (Desulfovibrio vulgaris) suspensions at different concentrations and at different growth stages using a two-electrode dielectric spectroscopy measurement over the frequency range of 20 Hz to 1 MHz. Our results show higher dielectric responses (relative dielectric permittivity, real and imaginary conductivity) occurred with higher bacteria concentration at frequencies <10 kHz. Additionally, permittivity and conductivity both decreased as cells aged from mid-log phase to late stationary phase. Our results suggest that dielectric spectroscopy measurements can be used to noninvasively monitor biomass and various growth stages of SRB. Our work advances the interpretation of electrical signals associated with SRB observed in the subsurface.
AB - Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) can potentially enhance the remediation of heavy metals in the subsurface. Previous geophysical research has demonstrated the sensitivity of electrical measurements to SRB-mediated mineral transformation in porous media. However, the inherent dielectric properties of SRB and their direct contribution to the electrical properties of porous media are poorly understood. We studied the complex dielectric properties of SRB (Desulfovibrio vulgaris) suspensions at different concentrations and at different growth stages using a two-electrode dielectric spectroscopy measurement over the frequency range of 20 Hz to 1 MHz. Our results show higher dielectric responses (relative dielectric permittivity, real and imaginary conductivity) occurred with higher bacteria concentration at frequencies <10 kHz. Additionally, permittivity and conductivity both decreased as cells aged from mid-log phase to late stationary phase. Our results suggest that dielectric spectroscopy measurements can be used to noninvasively monitor biomass and various growth stages of SRB. Our work advances the interpretation of electrical signals associated with SRB observed in the subsurface.
KW - biogeophysics
KW - dielectric properties
KW - dielectric spectroscopy
KW - monitoring bioremediation
KW - sulfate-reducing bacteria
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U2 - 10.1080/01490451.2012.719997
DO - 10.1080/01490451.2012.719997
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84878075844
SN - 0149-0451
VL - 30
SP - 490
EP - 496
JO - Geomicrobiology Journal
JF - Geomicrobiology Journal
IS - 6
ER -