Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-2024-251
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-2024-251
02 Sep 2024
 | 02 Sep 2024
Status: a revised version of this preprint is currently under review for the journal HESS.

Continuum modeling of bioclogging of soil aquifer treatment systems segregating active and inactive biomass

Edwin Saavedra Cifuentes, Alex Furman, Ravid Rosenzweig, and Aaron I. Packman

Abstract. Soil aquifer treatment (SAT) systems are used to remove pollutants from treated wastewater and store freshwater for reclamation and reuse. However, the accumulation of microbial biomass in the soil pore space, bioclogging, reduces water infiltration and hinders SAT efficiency. Since SAT systems play a crucial role in maintaining water resilience by providing an alternative to freshwater supply, optimizing their operation is essential to ensure their effectiveness. However, SAT systems are complex and dynamic systems that involve coupled interactions between microbial activity, water infiltration, and bioclogging in unsaturated media. This work proposes a continuum model that accounts for all these processes while distinguishing between active and inactive biomass, with the latter split into labile and recalcitrant fractions. The model is used to replicate a laboratory column experiment of bioclogging under unsaturated conditions and to explore how to optimize the operation of SAT systems. Specifically, we determined optimal wetting and drying periods that maximize water input to the SAT system while maintaining nutrient transformation rates. Our simulations show that the dry/wet time ratio controls biomass spatial distribution over depth. In contrast, the dry time extent dictates the degree of recovery of the soil relative to its initial (clean) infiltration capacity. We discuss the potential of this model to be extended to larger-scale experiments and to inform daily SAT operations in the field.

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Edwin Saavedra Cifuentes, Alex Furman, Ravid Rosenzweig, and Aaron I. Packman

Status: final response (author comments only)

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on hess-2024-251', Guillem Sole-Mari, 12 Oct 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Edwin Saavedra Cifuentes, 25 Nov 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on hess-2024-251', Anonymous Referee #2, 17 Oct 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Edwin Saavedra Cifuentes, 25 Nov 2024
Edwin Saavedra Cifuentes, Alex Furman, Ravid Rosenzweig, and Aaron I. Packman
Edwin Saavedra Cifuentes, Alex Furman, Ravid Rosenzweig, and Aaron I. Packman

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Short summary
Our research addresses the operational challenge of SAT systems that clog with biomass. A model to optimize their operation is proposed and considers the dynamic interactions between microbial activity, water flow, and soil clogging. Simulations showed the duration of wet and dry periods that enhance water infiltration. A link between the biomass spatial distribution and the wet and dry cycles was discovered. These findings can provide practical insights for real-world SAT systems.