Nitrogen fate model for gas-phase ammonia-enhanced in situ bioventing

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

OSTI ID:467753

Marshall, T R ^[1]

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1. Woodward-Clyde Consultants, Santa Ana, CA (United States)

Subsurface bioremediation of contaminants is sometimes limited by the availability of nitrogen. Introduction of gaseous ammonia to the subsurface is a feasible and economical approach to enhance biodegradation in some environments. A gaseous nutrient source may be a practical option for sites where surface application of liquid nutrients is not possible, such as sites with shallow groundwater or sites with surface operations. A conceptual nitrogen fate model was developed to provide remediation scientists and engineers with some practical guidelines in the use of ammonia-enhanced bioventing. Ammonia supplied to the subsurface dissolves readily in soil moisture and sorbs strongly to soil particles. The ammonium ion is the preferred nutrient form of many microorganisms. Some of the ammonia will be converted to nitrate by ammonia-oxidizing organisms. Field monitoring data from an operating ammonia-enhanced bioventing remediation site for diesel fuel contamination are presented. Conservative additions of ammonia promoted appreciable increases in evolved carbon dioxide and rate of oxygen utilization. An overabundance of added ammonia promoted formation of methane from likely anaerobic hydrocarbon degradation in the presence of nitrate as the electron acceptor.

• OSTI ID: 467753
• Report Number(s): CONF-950483--; ISBN 1-57477-003-9
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
BIODEGRADATION
BIOLOGICAL AVAILABILITY
DIESEL FUELS
GAS INJECTION
HYDROCARBONS
IN-SITU PROCESSING
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NITROGEN
OIL SPILLS
REMEDIAL ACTION