Monitoring the Influence of Schizophyllum commune Growth in Pore Space Structure using 4D X-ray Microscopy

Understanding microorganism growth in porous soils is vital for a wide range of applications, from bioremediation to industrial processes. In this study, we employ 4D X-ray microscopy (XRM) to track how the growth of the fungus Schizophyllum commune, a wood-decaying basidiomycete, alters the pore space structure of a column experiment. By capturing high-resolution 3D scans at different time intervals (i.e., 4D imaging), we visualize the dynamic interaction between fungal mycelium and the soil substrate, revealing how mycelial growth impacts soli porosity, pore connectivity, and permeability. The results show that the fungal growth induces a complex combination of pore occlusion, pore enlargement, and the creation of new channels through the substrate, which in turn affects the fluid flow through the soil column. Using AI-driven image analysis and segmentation techniques, we can automate the detection and quantification of these structural changes, providing insights into the relationship between microorganism activity and soil properties at a unique level of detail. This approach opens new possibilities for understanding how fungi influence the microstructure of soils and sediments, with potential implications for fields such as bioremediation and material design. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with advanced imaging modalities, such as X-ray microtomography (XRM), enables the experimental quantification and computational estimation of permeability. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with advanced imaging techniques, such as X-ray microtomography (XRM), facilitates both the experimental quantification and computational estimation of permeability. In this study, the small column system exhibits a reduction in permeability, which may result from both physical and microbiological factors. This synergistic approach enables comparative analysis and predictive modeling of microbial activity within complex systems, thereby enhancing the ability to predict and control its influence on system dynamics.

 

Keywords: 4D X-ray microscopy, Schizophyllum commune, fungal growth, pore space structure, artificial intelligence, image analysis, microbial impacts, material science, bioremediation.