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The use of models to predict potential contamination aboard orbital vehiclesA model of fungal growth on air-exposed, nonnutritive solid surfaces, developed for utilization aboard orbital vehicles is presented. A unique feature of this testable model is that the development of a fungal mycelium can facilitate its own growth by condensation of water vapor from its environment directly onto fungal hyphae. The fungal growth rate is limited by the rate of supply of volatile nutrients and fungal biomass is limited by either the supply of nonvolatile nutrients or by metabolic loss processes. The model discussed is structurally simple, but its dynamics can be quite complex. Biofilm accumulation can vary from a simple linear increase to sustained exponential growth, depending on the values of the environmental variable and model parameters. The results of the model are consistent with data from aquatic biofilm studies, insofar as the two types of systems are comparable. It is shown that the model presented is experimentally testable and provides a platform for the interpretation of observational data that may be directly relevant to the question of growth of organisms aboard the proposed Space Station.
Document ID
19900040404
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Boraas, Martin E.
(Wisconsin Univ. Milwaukee, WI, United States)
Seale, Dianne B.
(Wisconsin, University Milwaukee, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
July 1, 1989
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Report/Patent Number
SAE PAPER 891492
Accession Number
90A27459
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS8-37914
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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