Biocolloid transport and deposition in porous media: A review

In an effort to protect surface and groundwater supplies from contamination, to assess the risk of microbial groundwater contamination and for the purpose of soil bioremediation, considerable efforts have been made to investigate biocolloid transport and retention in porous media. The current work provides an introductory overview of biocolloid transport and deposition in porous media so as to have a better understanding of the environmental behavior of biocolloids. In this review, biocolloid transport and deposition in porous media are discussed with an emphasis on transport and deposition mechanisms, numerical modeling and influencing factors. Moreover, major findings with respect to the forces acting on biocolloid transport and deposition are addressed, and research methods used to study biocolloid transport and deposition in porous media are also presented. Finally, based on the reported results, future research perspectives considering the microscopic pore scale study for biocolloid transport and deposition in porous media are also suggested.

Automated summary

Considerable efforts have been made to investigate the transport and retention of biocolloids in porous media in order to protect surface and groundwater supplies from contamination and assess the risk of microbial groundwater contamination. This review provides an introductory overview of biocolloid transport and deposition in porous media, discussing the mechanisms, modeling, influencing factors, major findings, and research methods used in this field. It also suggests future research perspectives focusing on microscopic pore scale study.