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.

Technical Information Center Oak Ridge Tennessee

关键词: Fractures;    Contaminants;    Fluid flow;    Plumes;    Aquifers;   

RP-ID  :  DE2004828363

学科分类：工程和技术（综合）

美国|英语

来源: National Technical Reports 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.