Bioremediation

There are a wide variety of compounds that can be anaerobically biodegraded including chlorinated ethenes, chlorinated ethanes, halomethanes, perchlorate, nitrate, and explosives (e.g., RDX, HMX). For these compounds the biodegradation pathways and microorganisms that carry out this process are relatively well understood and enhanced anaerobic biodegradation has been demonstrated in the field at multiple sites.

A variety of different substrates can be used to generate hydrogen and stimulate anaerobic biodegradation. Soluble substrates including lactate, molasses, and other readily fermented substrates can be very effective in stimulating this process. However, these substrates must be frequently replenished due to rapid biodegradation and/or transport with flowing groundwater.

Edible oils are advanced alternative - they can be distributed in aquifers as oil-in-water emulsions followed by a chase water flush or as a dilute solution to distribute and immobilize the oil droplets. Oil-in-water emulsions are completely miscible with water so the emulsions easily disperse with groundwater after injection. As the oil droplets are transported through the aquifer pore spaces by flowing groundwater, they collide with sediment surfaces and stick. The sediment surfaces gradually become coated with a layer of oil droplets that provides a carbon source for long-term reductive dechlorination. For the best transport, the emulsion should be stable (e.g., non-coalescing); have small, uniform droplets to allow transport in most aquifers; and have a negative surface charge to reduce droplet capture by the solid surfaces.

Edible oils have been applied at more than 60 commercial and military sites in the USA.

FOR MORE INFORMATION WRITE TO advancedgwt@gmail.com
attn. Dr Dragan Kaludjerovic

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