Biodegradation of multiple aromatic solutes from non-aqueous phase liquids
- Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO (United States)
Multi-component dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) act as long-term sources of subsurface contamination, slowly releasing organic pollutants into soil and groundwater. This study evaluates the potential for biological stabilization of the pollution source region containing a separate organic phase liquid (NAPL). Biostabilization refers to the process by which aqueous contaminant concentrations may be controlled without complete microbial destruction of the NAPL mass. Very little is known about the concurrent dissolution and degradation of multiple organic substrates from complex NAPLs, such as coal tar, creosote, PCB congeners and mixtures of waste solvents. In this study, biodegradation experiments are being conducted with a model multi-component NAPL to evaluate the rate of depletion of three target polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds from the NAPL source. Dissolved aqueous-phase PAH concentrations, as well as the time-scale for depletion of the target PAH constituents from the NAPL due to microbial activity, are being monitored. These experiments will offer insights on the potential for minimizing aqueous plume development and generating a stable post-degradation NAPL residue through biostabilization.
- OSTI ID:
- 210295
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9509139--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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