Vertical geochemical profiling of an aquifer contaminated with JP-4 fuel
- Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)
Soil samples were collected at a site contaminated with jet fuel at Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan, and were analyzed for aromatic hydrocarbons, aromatic acid metabolites, and phospholipid ester-linked fatty acids (PLFA). Vertically in the source zone contaminant concentrations of alkylbenzenes (with C1-C4 substitutions) ranged from less than 1.0 to 21.69 {mu}g/kg away from water table to 2605.96 {mu}g/kg in samples taken at water table. Contamination decreased to less than 1.0 {mu}g/kg in downgradient zone. Aromatic acids of the fuel contaminants identified include o-, m-, and p-toluic acid, 2,5-, 3,5-, 2,6- and 3,4-dimethylbenzoic acid, and 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoic acid, suggesting that the aromatic acid production was associated with the microbial degradation of aromatic hydrocarbons. PLFA ranging from C{sub 12} to C{sub 20} were determined in soil samples, including saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. The only polyenic acid detected was 18:2w6, a biomarker for protozoa. The total microbial biomass calculated from PLFA in aquifer solid samples showed varied profiles with depth as well as at different locations at similar depths indicating considerable microbial heterogeneity in the subsurface over distance of less than 2 meters. The PLFA profiles also suggested that anaerobic and aerobic microbial communities dominate the biomass in the aquifer solids.
- OSTI ID:
- 538996
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-960807-; TRN: 97:004029-0064
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 212. national meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS), Orlando, FL (United States), 25-30 Aug 1996; Other Information: PBD: 1996; Related Information: Is Part Of 212th ACS national meeting; PB: 1830 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Determination of organic acids in ground water by liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization/mass spectrometry
Detection of a microbial consortium, including type 2 methanotrophs, by use of phospholipid fatty acids in an aerobic halogenated hydrocarbon-degrading soil column enriched with natural gas