https://yao-mp-lab.github.io/category/transport/TransportHugo Blox Builder (https://hugoblox.com)en-USMon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000https://yao-mp-lab.github.io/media/logo_hu_dfe0f2df7be993cf.pnghttps://yao-mp-lab.github.io/category/transport/https://yao-mp-lab.github.io/curr_projects/biofilm_microfluidic/Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000https://yao-mp-lab.github.io/curr_projects/biofilm_microfluidic/<p>Biofilms continually reshape pore spaces and local flow pathways. We use microfluidic experiments to observe how this changing environment affects microplastic transport in porous media.</p> <p>Biofilm growth and individual particles are tracked within the same pore space. Our results show that streamer-rich biofilms increase particle retention and trapping, while connected flow pathways formed during bioclogging allow more rapid transport. These observations show why biofilm morphology matters when predicting particle mobility in soils and subsurface environments.</p> <figure class="publication-figure"> <a href="https://yao-mp-lab.github.io/curr_projects/biofilm_microfluidic/media/graphical-abstract.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="View full-size graphical abstract"> <img src="https://yao-mp-lab.github.io/curr_projects/biofilm_microfluidic/media/graphical-abstract.png" alt="Graphical abstract linking biofilm morphology to microplastic transport, retention and trapping" width="2000" height="1077" loading="lazy"> </a> <figcaption>Biofilm morphology controls microplastic retention and transport through porous media.</figcaption> </figure> <div class="project-videos"> <figure class="project-video"> <h3>Video S2: Streamer-rich biofilms</h3> <video controls playsinline preload="metadata" poster="/curr_projects/biofilm_microfluidic/media/video-s2-poster.png" width="100" height="100" aria-label="Video S2: Streamer-rich biofilms"> <source src="https://yao-mp-lab.github.io/curr_projects/biofilm_microfluidic/media/video-s2.mp4" type="video/mp4"> Your browser does not support embedded video. <a href="https://yao-mp-lab.github.io/curr_projects/biofilm_microfluidic/media/video-s2.mp4">Open the video</a>. </video> <figcaption>Microplastics move through distributed pore-space pathways and interact with biofilm streamers.</figcaption> <a class="project-video-link" href="https://yao-mp-lab.github.io/curr_projects/biofilm_microfluidic/media/video-s2.mp4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Open video</a> </figure> <figure class="project-video"> <h3>Video S3: Preferential flow paths</h3> <video controls playsinline preload="metadata" poster="/curr_projects/biofilm_microfluidic/media/video-s3-poster.png" width="100" height="100" aria-label="Video S3: Preferential flow paths"> <source src="https://yao-mp-lab.github.io/curr_projects/biofilm_microfluidic/media/video-s3.mp4" type="video/mp4"> Your browser does not support embedded video. <a href="https://yao-mp-lab.github.io/curr_projects/biofilm_microfluidic/media/video-s3.mp4">Open the video</a>. </video> <figcaption>Microplastic transport is concentrated within connected preferential flow paths in the bioclogged medium.</figcaption> <a class="project-video-link" href="https://yao-mp-lab.github.io/curr_projects/biofilm_microfluidic/media/video-s3.mp4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Open video</a> </figure> </div> <p><strong>Related publication:</strong> Shi Z, Yao YN (2026). <a href="https://yao-mp-lab.github.io/publication/shi-2026-microplastic-transport/">Evolving biofilm morphology controls microplastic transport in porous media</a>. <em>EarthArXiv preprint</em>.</p>