COMPARTMENT MODEL FOR BIOLOGICAL CONVERSIONS OF DMS IN A MICROBIAL MAT - EFFECT OF PH ON DMS FLUXES

A model has been developed to describe the biological conversions of f ive functional groups of microorganisms in a microbial mat. Microbial metabolism and transport of nutrients are the two dominant processes t hat were considered. The microbial activity was described with Michael is-Menten kinetics. Transport of nutrients through the mat was describ ed by simple transport processes. The model was validated using docume nted measurements. and was used to simulate the fluxes of compounds an d concentrations in a microbial mat during a light period of 12 hours. Experimental data from Methylopila sulfovorans cultures (isolated fro m a microbial mat) were incorporated in the model in order to describe DMS oxidation under varying conditions in a mat.