Control of biologically Active Degradation Zones By Vertical Heterogeneity : Applications In Fractured Media

Colwell, F. S. ; Smith, R. ; Fredrickson, J. K. ; Reysenbach, A.-L. ; Mckinley, J. P. ; Onstott, T. C.

Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID (United States)

关键词: 63 Radiation, Thermal, And Other Environmental Pollutant Effects On Living Organisms And Biological Materials;    Solutes;    Distribution;    Microorganisms;    Basalt;   

DOI  :  10.2172/828363
RP-ID  :  EMSP-55416
RP-ID  :  828363

美国|英语

来源: UNT Digital Library

【 摘 要 】

The key objective of this research was to determine the distribution of biologically active contaminant degradation zones in a fractured, subsurface medium with respect to vertical heterogeneities. Our expectation was that hydrogeological properties would determine the size, diversity, and activities of microbial communities in fractured basalt by controlling the fluxes and concentrations of aqueous constituents upon which these communities depend. We expected that microorganisms would be more abundant, of greater diversity, and of relatively higher metabolic activity within zones of high permeability that contain favorable concentrations of electron donors and acceptors; the composition and flux of these solutes will reflect the spatial continuity of interflow fracture and rubble zones. We further expected that the composition and dynamics of microbial communities associated with rock surfaces in fractured basalt aquifers could be predicted by the incubation of a native rock substratum placed at discreet, isolated intervals within a borehole.