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Mull, Tristan Accepted Thesis 8-15-19 Su 2019.pdf (4.67 MB)
ETD Abstract Container
Abstract Header
Diffusion of E. coli Bacteria in Water and in a Quasi-two-dimensional Porous Media
Author Info
Mull, Tristan
ORCID® Identifier
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4989-8945
Permalink:
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1565883937820145
Abstract Details
Year and Degree
2019, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Civil Engineering (Engineering and Technology).
Abstract
Understanding and quantifying the diffusion of microorganisms is key to understanding their motile behavior in both natural and artificial environments like biofilms, granular soil, and engineered filtration systems. Based on established modifications to colloidal theory, it is hypothesized that non-spherical shape and surface features can greatly affect the characteristics of their behavior. The diffusivity of E. coli bacteria was explored in two different constructed environments by capturing microscope images, and processing the resulting data using image processing algorithms. Translational diffusion in the lab frame and body frame were both calculated along with rotational diffusion, each by mean squared displacement calculation or by calculating the probability of displacements at a certain point in time. The results showed that this particular E. coli strain does not exhibit strong anisotropy despite its elongated shape, and potentially significant surface features. It was also demonstrated that in a confined environment the bacteria may undergo attenuated rotational diffusion while also experiencing enhanced translational diffusion.
Committee
Lei Wu (Advisor)
Pages
155 p.
Subject Headings
Civil Engineering
;
Environmental Engineering
;
Microbiology
Keywords
bacterial motility
;
diffusion
;
E coli
;
random walk
;
anisotropic diffusion
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Citations
Mull, T. (2019).
Diffusion of E. coli Bacteria in Water and in a Quasi-two-dimensional Porous Media
[Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1565883937820145
APA Style (7th edition)
Mull, Tristan.
Diffusion of E. coli Bacteria in Water and in a Quasi-two-dimensional Porous Media.
2019. Ohio University, Master's thesis.
OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center
, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1565883937820145.
MLA Style (8th edition)
Mull, Tristan. "Diffusion of E. coli Bacteria in Water and in a Quasi-two-dimensional Porous Media." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1565883937820145
Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)
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Document number:
ohiou1565883937820145
Download Count:
1,130
Copyright Info
© 2019, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.