Analysis of the multidimensional effects in biofilms

A general multidimensional, multispecies, heterogenous biofilm model is developed using the balance equations. Multidimensional effects are studied by taking limiting scenarios towards lower dimensional analogs, as well as studying the effects of changing biofilm surface geometries. Error maps are developed suggesting when single-dimensional models give an accurate representation of biofilm growth, and when multidimensional effects are substantial. A porous media model is studied, where the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa is modeled to grow in a packed porous bed of spheres. It is found that under most circumstances, single-dimensional models predict very similar growth rates as compared to their multidimensional analogs. However, under some conditions the multidimensionality can have a significant effect in the model’s predictions. To the authors’ best knowledge, this is the first work which develops error maps detailing multidimensional effects of biofilm growth.