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U.S. Department of Energy
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Bioremediation of Chlorinated Volatile Organic Compounds: DOE Experiences and Lessons Learned

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/2545756· OSTI ID:2545756
From the mid-1980s to the present, the Department of Energy (DOE) has developed, tested, and deployed diverse bioremediation strategies for chlorinated volatile organic compounds (cVOCs). A systematic review of these projects after decades of activity provides an opportunity to identify crosscutting themes and lessons learned. The knowledge provided by a DOE bioremediation retrospective represents a resource to support current and future bioremediation operations, and future decisions related to cVOC bioremediation. This systematic review examined the design, objectives, performance and outcomes for remediation projects at DOE sites including Savannah River, Hanford, Idaho, Mound and Pinellas. The results were used to identify emergent themes to provide actionable insights. The bioremediation retrospective technical team first developed standardized criteria to support the systematic review. Then, the evaluation was performed using a sequential process that was informed by local technical experts who identified and provided the structured information that served as the basis for the evaluation. The participation of these experts was invaluable to the effort. Importantly, DOE cVOC bioremediation efforts were implemented based on the foundational knowledge developed by U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) strategic and applied environmental technology development and certification programs, as well as technical, policy and regulatory guidance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), industry, and universities. To maximize the value of the DOE cVOC bioremediation retrospective, the systematic review strategy focused on identifying important DOE-specific experiences, trends and lessons learned that would extend the knowledge available from these other key entities.
Research Organization:
Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL), Aiken, SC (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Environmental Management (EM); USDOE Office of Legacy Management (LM)
DOE Contract Number:
89303321CEM000080
OSTI ID:
2545756
Report Number(s):
SRNL--STI-2025-00051
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English