Microbial characterization before, during and after nitrate-enhanced bioremediation of a jet fuel-contaminated aquifer

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

OSTI ID:458323

Thomas, J M; Bruce, C L; Gordy, V R; Duston, K L; Ward, C H ^[1]; Sinclair, J L; Hutchins, S R

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1. Rice Univ., Houston, TX (United States)

A JP-4 fuel-contaminated aquifer that underwent a pilot demonstration of nitrate-enhanced bioremediation was characterized microbially before, during and after treatment. The most probable number of total denitrifiers, denitrifiers that use JP-4 or JP-4 degradation products, aerobic and anaerobic protozoa, and the number of heterotrophs and JP-4 degrading microorganisms were determined. The pilot demonstration was conducted by constructing two 100 ft by 100 ft treatment cells, located in a zone of residual contamination, which received either unamended or nitrate-amended recharge water. Core materials were collected in March 1993, August 1994 and May 1995. The demonstration was initiated in April 1994. Preliminary analysis of the results indicates that the number of total denitrifiers in the treatment zone increased after 4 months of treatment but declined to initial levels by the end of the demonstration. However, the number of denitrifiers that use JP-4 or its degradation products, heterotrophs and JP-4 degraders declined after 4 months, and then increased by the final sampling, even in the control samples. Measurements of contaminant concentrations at the interim sampling indicated little removal; however, BTEX concentrations in the ground water at the final sampling were less than initial levels.

• OSTI ID: 458323
• Report Number(s): CONF-961149--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
AQUIFERS
BIODEGRADATION
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
JET ENGINE FUELS
MONITORING
NITRATES
OIL SPILLS
REMEDIAL ACTION
WATER POLLUTION