Distinguishing biofilms from water using X-ray micro-computed tomography
(2022) ICTMS — Location: Grenoble, France (27.June.2022)
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- Authors
Balcaen, Tim 
- Abstract
- 1. Introduction Bacteria colonize porous media and form biofilms affecting the material properties. It is important to visualize biofilms to understand their effect. Within porous media, X-ray micro-computed tomography (µCT) could image them. However, distinguishing biofilms from water is challenging due to similar Xray attenuation. Contrast-enhancing staining agents (CESAs) binding to the biofilms can enhance their attenuation. BaSO4 [1], silver-coated microspheres [2] and 1-chloronaphtalene [3] were successful, but there are drawbacks related to the hydrophobic nature, toxicity, sedimentation, etc. Hence, we assessed other CESAs for their capabilities to visualize biofilms using µCT that avoid these issues. 2. Materials and Methods CESAs (KBr, FeSO4, BaCl2, PTA, Hexabrix, isotonic lugol, Ca4+, Mono-WD POM, Hf-WD POM [4]) were tested to stain submerged biofilms on stones or in between sand. All biofilms were imaged by HECTOR at the Centre for X-ray Tomography (UGCT) [5]. 3. Results and Conclusion From all CESAs, isotonic lugol and Hf-WD POM were most promising. It was possible to visualize cyanobacterial biofilms on rocks (Figure 1), which could lead to the 3D examination of microbial mats. Moreover, biofilms could also be distinguished inside a sand column, allowing to determine their spatial distribution. As a next step, dynamic experiments can be performed to visualize biological weathering or their effect on water transport in situ. 4. Acknowledgements This work was funded by the FWO (11D4518N, 11D4520N and G088218N). 5. References [1] Davit et al, 10.1111/j.1365-2818.2010.03432.x [2] Iltis et al, 10.1029/2010WR009410 [3] Rolland du Roscoat et al, 10.1002/bit.25168 [4] De Bournonville et al, 10.1155/2019/8617406 [5] Masschaele 6596/463/1/012012 et al, 10.1088/1742
- Affiliations
KUL Department of Chemistry, Molecular Design & Synthesis
Citations
Laurenz Schröer, Tim De Kock, Balcaen, T., Kerckhofs, G., Nico Boon, & Veerle Cnudde. (2022). Distinguishing biofilms from water using X-ray micro-computed tomography. ICTMS, Grenoble, France. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/236513