Ex situ bioremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in laboratory systems

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

OSTI ID:490968

Pott, B M; Henrysson, T ^[1]

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1. Lund Univ. (Sweden)

Biological remediation of soil contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is a promising innovative technology. This project was started to get a better understanding of the parameters that influence the degradation of PAHs of different molecular weights. The degradability of those substances that are the most recalcitrant will be crucial for the success of a biological treatment system. Four substances, naphthalene, anthracene, benzo(a)anthracene, and dibenzo-(a,h)anthracene (2, 3, 4, and 5 aromatic rings respectively), were chosen as model contaminants. Water content and addition of nutrients were varied to determine the effects of these parameters on the degradation. The biological degradation of the four PAHs was followed. Removal of the substances with 2, 3, and 4 rings, respectively, was successful. No difference in the rate of removal of the five-ringed member (dibenzo-(a,h)anthracene) compared to the control was detected. Neither naphthalene nor anthracene was affected by water addition, but small effects were detected when nutrients were added. Degradation of benzo(a)anthracene (4 aromatic rings) was clearly stimulated by addition of water, but the effects of nutrient addition were inconclusive and need further study.

• OSTI ID: 490968
• Report Number(s): CONF-950483--; ISBN 1-57477-008-X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ANTHRACENE
BENCH-SCALE EXPERIMENTS
BIODEGRADATION
NAPHTHALENE
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
REMEDIAL ACTION
SOILS