Bacteria found in coal seams play a crucial role in shaping the composition of coal as well as the accompanying fluids. The study of bacterial behavior and dynamics in coal samples, particularly concerning the movement of tracer bacteria, could yield significant insights into the patterns of transportation and colonization within the coal seam ecosystem. This investigation delves into how surfactants affect the spread of tracer bacteria within coal seams. Samples of coal sourced from Zhongmacun Coal Mine were employed in conjunction with the pMJ67 L. acidophilus SP fluorescent tracer bacterium. The limitations imposed by surface tension on the infiltration of bacterial liquid were ascertained by a comprehensive analysis of the characteristics of surfactants, specifically Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS), Sodium Dodecyl Benzene Sulfonate (SDBS), Fatty Alkyd Poly-oxyacetate (PPJ), Sodium Stearate (SS), and Sucrose. To identify the surfactant configurations that yield the highest effectiveness, this study employed a combination of multi-factor regression analysis and coal column testing as part of its experimental methodology. The research team conducted a meticulous investigation into the saturation kinetics of the fluorescence solution and the effects of varying coal particle sizes. The findings demonstrate the significant enhancement of wetness and tracer penetration achieved through the use of surfactants, with temperature and concentration variations influencing these effects. By employing SDS, PPJ, and a combination of PPJ + SDS, the effective percolation of liquid tracers within coal samples was accomplished. This methodology not only enabled a thorough examination of the hydraulic properties but also underscored the essential significance of surfactants in enhancing the dispersion of tracer bacteria within coal seams. As a result, it offers a groundbreaking technological framework for advancing our understanding of coal seam hydrogeology. The significance of this extends to improving the accuracy of hydrological measurements and optimizing the design and evaluation of coal seam water injection.
 

Tracer test; bacterial tracer; surfactants; coal-seam; column test