  Biofilm accumulation in the porous media can cause plugging and change many
physical properties of porous media. Targeted bioplugging may have significant
applications for industrial processes. A deeper understanding of the relative
influences of hydrodynamic conditions including flow velocity and nutrient
concentration, on biofilm growth and detachment is necessary to plan and
analyze bioplugging experiments and field trials. The experimental results by
means of microscopic imaging over a T-shape microchannel show that increase in
fluid velocity could facilitate biofilm growth, but that above a velocity
threshold, biofilm detachment and inhibition of biofilm formation due to high
shear stress were observed. High nutrient concentration prompts the biofilm
growth, but was accompanied by a relatively weak adhesive strength. This letter
provides an overview of biofilm development in a hydrodynamic environment for
better predicting and modelling the bioplugging associated with porous system
in petroleum industry, hydrogeology, and water purification.
