Biopile treatability, bioavailability, and toxicity evaluation of a hydrocarbon-impacted soil

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

OSTI ID:490935

Hayes, K W ^[1]; Meyers, J D ^[2]; Huddleston, R L ^[3]

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1. Conoco, Inc., Ponca City, OK (United States). Environmental Services Div.
2. Conoco, Inc., Houston, TX (United States)
3. Delta Environmental Co., Ponca City, OK (United States)

A parametric study was conducted to evaluate use and enhancement of engineered biopiles to remediate weathered, hydrocarbon-impacted soil. The study used fifteen 1.2-yd{sup 3} biopiles under continuous vacuum aeration for 45 wk. Various amendments, evaluated for their effectiveness to enhance remediation, including bulking materials, inorganic fertilizer, waste activated sludge, and a surfactant. The average total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) concentration was reduced approximately 55%, with no significant difference between any of the treatment amendments or controls. Posttreatment soil samples were subjected to 6-wk slurry reactor tests, achieving an additional 15% TPH reduction, for a total of 70%. Because these reductions fell short of treatment goals, toxicity tests were conducted to determine if an acceptable, risk-based, treatment endpoint had been reached. Despite TPH residuals, neither treated nor untreated soils were found to be toxic. The low toxicity of this soil was attributed to sorption mechanisms that left residuals sequestered, but slowly available for biodegradation, greatly reducing or eliminating toxicity and bioavailability.

• OSTI ID: 490935
• Report Number(s): CONF-950483--; ISBN 1-57477-007-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
BIOASSAY
BIODEGRADATION
BIOLOGICAL AVAILABILITY
HYDROCARBONS
OIL SPILLS
REMEDIAL ACTION
RESPONSE MODIFYING FACTORS
SOILS