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Kinetic Model for E. coli Transport through Sand Column

Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org

Citation:  Paper number  032151,  2003 ASAE Annual Meeting . (doi: 10.13031/2013.14019) @2003
Authors:   Lin Wang, Kyle R. Mankin, George L. Marchin
Keywords:   Second-order model, one-dimension convection-dispersion equation, grain size

A kinetic second-order model coupled with the one-dimension convection-dispersion equation (CDE) was used to describe E. coli transport through 20 cm sand columns. The kinetic second-order model along with the CDE was solved numerically by a Lax-Wendroff scheme. E. coli (strain B) in NaCl (0.85%) solution transport through coarse sand (> 1 mm and <2 mm) was compared with that of finer sand (>2 m and = 1 mm), under a flow velocity 0.05 mm/s and a cell concentration of 107 cfu/mL. The model fitted coarse sand better than that of finer sand. The model fitting efficiency of 91% for the coarse sand column and 61% for the finer sand column was attained. A total of 97% E. coli moved through the coarse sand column whereas only 67% passed through the fine column. The most likely mechanism is physical entrapment of the bacteria (1 m dia. by 2 m length) within the media. From this study, it appears media particle size plays a major role in E. coli transport under a saturated flow condition.

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