Dynamic capillary fringes - Central experiment and scientific communication

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The central experimental facility was designed as a three-dimensional integration platform for all subprojects. In the first funding period, the container was constructed, measuring devices were inserted and test runs with varying water levels were performed. Specific experiments within the subprojects were performed with their “own” experimental set-ups with different porous media. In the second funding period, all members will use the same two-dimensional flow-through cell to answer project-specific questions in detail. The container experiment is not so versatile and thus the focus of the experimental work with the container will be directed towards long-term observations of naturally evolving populations in the CF with a basic substrate supply containing a xenobiotic contaminant such as e.g. benzoic acid. When steady state conditions will be reached, a step-wise increase of the contaminant concentration will be initiated and changes of the biofilm and subsequent changes in the hydraulic behaviour (bio-clogging) of the system will be compared with 2-D experimental results and documented. The influence of an increase in the height of the groundwater table which will shift the CF into higher zones causing oxygen limitation below, on the stability of the biofilm as well as the influence of nitrate as the only or an additional electron acceptor will be experimental variations. The response of the established bacterial community on these changes in terms of composition and degradation efficiency after reaching steady state will be investigated. In addition, the central project aims at disseminating and discussing the results of the research unit with other scientists and joint meetings are planned with related research units and research programs at other universities of Germany. For this purpose, national and international workshops will be organized and a visitor program will be maintained.