In situ bioremediation of chlorinated solvents

Conference · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:250954

Sack, W A; Carriere, P E; Whiteman, C S; Davis, M P; Raman, S; Cuddeback, J E; Shiemke, A K ^[1]

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1. West Virginia Univ., Morgantown, WV (United States)

In situ bioremediation of chlorinated organic is receiving growing support and widespread testing in the field. It is an attractive alternative with the potential to destroy contaminants almost completely. The research seeks to exploit the natural symbiotic relationship between methanogenic and methanotrophic microorganisms. The methanogens are able to carry out anaerobic reductive dehalogenation of highly chlorinated solvents while producing methane. The methanotrophs in turn utilize the end products of the methanogens, including the methane, to aerobically degrade the residual CAH compounds to environmentally acceptable end products. Both groups of organisms degrade the CAH compounds cometabolically and require a primary substrate. The purpose of the research is to evaluate and optimize the ability of methanotrophic, methanogenic, and other selected bacteria for cost-effective biotransformation of TCE and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This paper describes initial studies using separate anaerobic and aerobic columns. As soon as the initial column studies are complete, the anaerobic and aerobic columns will be combined in both sequential and simultaneous modes to evaluate complete CAH destruction.

• DOE Contract Number: FC21-92MC29467
• OSTI ID: 250954
• Report Number(s): CONF-9507204--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AEROBIC CONDITIONS
ANAEROBIC CONDITIONS
BIODEGRADATION
CHLORINATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
GROUND WATER
GROWTH
IN-SITU PROCESSING
METHANOGENIC BACTERIA
METHANOTROPHIC BACTERIA
REMEDIAL ACTION
SOILS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
WASTE PROCESSING