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U.S. Department of Energy
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In situ bioventing in deep soils at arid sites

Book ·
OSTI ID:116320
; ; ; ;  [1]
  1. Parsons Engineering Science, Inc., Denver, CO (United States)
In situ bioventing has been shown to be a cost-effective remedial alternative for vadose zone soils. The success of the technology relies on the ability of indigenous soil microorganisms to utilize petroleum hydrocarbon contaminants as a primary metabolic substrate. Soil microbial populations are typically elevated in shallow soils due to an abundance of naturally occurring substrates and nutrients, but may be limited at greater depths due to a lack of these constituents. Therefore, the effectiveness of in situ bioventing is questionable in contaminated soil zones that extend far below the ground surface. Also, because the soil microbial population relies on soil moisture to sustain hydrocarbon degradation, the viability of bioventing is questionable in arid climates, where the soil moisture content is suspected to be minimal.
OSTI ID:
116320
Report Number(s):
CONF-9507173--; ISBN 0-7844-0095-4
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English