The Institute for Genomic Biology (IGB) at GeoBioCell has developed a technology called the US University of Illinois that aims to help explore ways to mitigate so-called microbial biosouring, a side effect of pumping seawater underground to increase oil extraction yields. The interaction of the seawater with microbes that live beneath the Earth's surface creates sulphides, highly corrosive compounds that contribute to the oil and gas industry's annual $90bn bill for replacing oil field pipes and plumbing systems. the US University of Illinois, an experimental microfluidics test bed, allows researchers to test different temperatures, chemicals, food sources and water chemistries that could reduce or stop the process.
The Institute for Genomic Biology (IGB) at the US University of Illinois has developed a technology called GeoBioCell that aims to help explore ways to mitigate so-called microbial biosouring, a side effect of pumping seawater underground to increase oil extraction yields. The interaction of the seawater with microbes that live beneath the Earth's surface creates sulphides, highly corrosive compounds that contribute to the oil and gas industry's annual $90bn bill for replacing oil field pipes and plumbing systems. GeoBioCell, an experimental microfluidics test bed, allows researchers to test different temperatures, chemicals, food sources and water chemistries that could reduce or stop the process.