An Investigation of Transport of Escherichia Coli in Homogenous Saturated Porous Media Using Breakthrough Analysis

Understanding of bacteria transport within saturated porous media is essential for protecting groundwater from microbial contamination. In this research, the transport of E. coli in homogenous saturated porous media was investigated. The main objective was to evaluate velocity and behavior of E. coli transpor through Loamy sand layer. Comparing E. coli biological tracer with Uranine tracer and also hydraulic dispersion investigation are other purposes of this paper. To achieve these purposes, a physical model withthree sizes of particle were used in these transport experiments. The bacteria suspension were injected in a hole at one side and water were sampled in two holes located at axial distances of 20 and 60 cm from the injection point, two marginal sampling holes at a distance of 40 cm from the injection point and at the output of the model. The results indicated that the advection component has a significant influence on Bacteria movement, but in marginal holes the potency of advection is reduced and causes the repining phenomenon that is observed in marginal holes curves. Bacteria plume indicated a significant difference from conservative tracer. Unlike conservative tracer, bacteria breakthrough curve had three peaks showing front, mean and ripped tile, respectively and bacteria plume has oblong shape.