Numerical Analysis of a Simple Mathematical Model to Design Bioremediation System in Rhizosphere

Soil bioremediation, especially in the rhizosphere area, is the result of interaction between plant roots and microorganisms. It can be considered as one of the remarkable ways to eliminate pollutants. Various factors control the process with special relationships in the rhizosphere environment; changing each of them can impress on the system destination. With mathematical modeling, behavior of the process can be predicted and controlled, and improved by appropriate changes in the model. In this study, the effects of different parameters of a simple mathematical model, represented to predict microbial growth and necessary substrate changes in the rhizosphere have been studied using numerical finite difference method. Influences of the parameters on biomass and substrate concentrations were evaluated at different times. A number of variables directly, some negatively, and others neutrally impacted on the biomass and substrate concentrations. Investigating variables differently affecting on a model is important since perfectly tuning them can optimize the system performance, and achieve higher efficiency.