Pilot-scale design for nitrate-based bioremediation of jet fuel
- Air Force Armstrong Lab., Tyndall AFB, FL (United States)
- Environmental Protection Agency, Ada, OK (United States). R.S. Kerr Environmental Research Lab.
- Rice Univ., Houston, TX (United States)
- Oklahoma State Univ., Stillwater, OK (United States)
- Environmental Restoration Program, Eglin AFB, FL (United States)
Extensive site characterization of a shallow fuel-contaminated aquifer was performed to define the design parameters for a nitrate-based bioremediation treatment system at Eglin Air Force Base (AFB), Florida. Core samples were obtained to delineate the distribution of aqueous-phase benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) and residual saturation in three dimensions at the site; examined to characterize the microbial populations; and assessed for toxicity of the fuel-contaminated solids. Treatability studies indicated that microbial populations can degrade alkyl benzenes under denitrifying conditions. Infiltration and tracer studies, combined with modeling efforts, were conducted to evaluate whether sprinkler irrigation would suffice to provide nitrate to contaminated regions below the water table. Laboratory column studies indicated that recirculation of recharge water could lead to plugging problems, and therefore a one-pass system was designed. The test areas consist of two adjacent 30-m by 30-m treatment cells, one of which receives potassium nitrate-amended water (test cell) and the other unamended water (control cell). Recharge water is applied via sprinklers at a rate of 11 gal/min (42 L/min) per cell. Operation began April 1994, and tracer studies indicate that the system is operating as predicted by the modeling, with active denitrification occurring.
- OSTI ID:
- 490924
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950483--; ISBN 1-57477-007-1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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