Biofilms and microplastic transport in porous media

Last updated on Oct 4, 2026 Experiment, Transport

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.

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.

Graphical abstract linking biofilm morphology to microplastic transport, retention and trapping
Biofilm morphology controls microplastic retention and transport through porous media.

Video S2: Streamer-rich biofilms

Microplastics move through distributed pore-space pathways and interact with biofilm streamers.
Open video

Video S3: Preferential flow paths

Microplastic transport is concentrated within connected preferential flow paths in the bioclogged medium.
Open video

Related publication: Shi Z, Yao YN (2026). Evolving biofilm morphology controls microplastic transport in porous media. EarthArXiv preprint.

Biofilms Microplastics Microfluidics
Yinuo "Noah" Yao
Yinuo "Noah" Yao
Principal Investigator

Assistant Professor