Mathematical modeling of mixed-culture biofilms

About 10 years ago a set of mass balance equations for mathematical modeling of mixed-culture biofilms (MCBs) was presented. That model was able to describe the progression of the biofilm thickness and the spatial distribution and development in time of particulate and dissolved components in the biofilm as a function of transport and transformation processes. Experimental observations made in the past years have shown that some of the assumptions made in that MCB model were too simple. Therefore, an extended MCB model with additional processes has been developed. This model includes a more flexible description of transport of dissolved components in the biofilm and considers diffusive transport of particulate components in the biofilm solid matrix, changes of the biofilm liquid phase volume fraction (porosity), and simultaneous detachment and attachment of cells and particles at the biofilm surface. The extended MCB model is implemented in AQUASIM, a new computer program designed for the analysis of aquatic systems, which is used here to illustrate and discuss the effect of the additional processes on MCB behavior. (C) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.