Influence of Biofilm on Barrier Material Performance

Abstract

Experimental work was conducted to investigate the influence of biofilm on the hydraulic conductivity and desiccation characteristics of two barrier soils. Bacteria were used to prepare solutions of varying concentration of exopolymeric substances (EPS). These solutions were then used as the molding moisture for compacted specimens of locally available clay and sand-bentonite mixtures. Both soils/mixes exhibited notably low values of hydraulic conductivity, generally less than