Intrinsic bioattenuation for subsurface restoration

Conference · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:464884

Rifai, H S; Ward, C H ^[1]; Borden, R C ^[2]; Wilson, J T ^[3]

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1. Rice Univ., Houston, TX (United States). Energy and Environmental Systems Inst.
2. North Carolina State Univ., Raleigh, NC (United States). Dept. of Civil Engineering
3. Environmental Protection Agency, Ada, OK (United States). Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Lab.

Intrinsic bioattenuation has recently evolved as a viable remediation alternative at a number of sites where the risk of exposure to contaminants is within acceptable standards. Important mechanisms controlling the intrinsic bioattenuation include advection, dispersion, sorption, dissolution from a residual source, and abiotic and biological transformations. Because intrinsic bioattenuation is a plume management strategy, it requires characterizing and monitoring these processes. Intrinsic bioattenuation involves an assessment of risks to public health and the environment, and consequently requires prediction of the fate and transport of contaminants at the candidate sites. This paper reviews the processes controlling intrinsic bioremediation and summarizes case histories in which intrinsic bioremediation and summarizes case histories in which intrinsic bioattenuation has been observed at sites contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons and chlorinated solvents. The key steps in evaluating natural attenuation as a remedial alternative are summarized. 70 refs., 4 figs., 10 tabs.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 464884
• Report Number(s): CONF-950483--; ISBN 1-57477-002-0
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BIODEGRADATION
CHLORINATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
HYDROCARBONS
REMEDIAL ACTION
SITE CHARACTERIZATION
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT