Numerical techniques for modeling in situ biorestoration and biodegradation of organic contaminants in groundwater

Thesis/Dissertation · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:5672236

Rifai, H S

Biodegradation, the transformation of organic matter using microorganisms, is a promising technology for ground water cleanup. The research presented in this dissertation is aimed at developing numerical techniques for simulating biodegradation coupled with physical transport processes in ground water. The focus is mainly on aerobic biodegradation. A two-dimensional biodegradation model, BIOPLUME 2, was developed that incorporates two different conceptual approaches for simulating aerobic biodegradation. The first approach assumes that the transport of oxygen into a contaminant plume is limiting and that biodegradation could be approximated with an instantaneous reaction between the contaminants and oxygen. The second approach argues that the biodegradation of organic contaminants is kinetically limited by microbial utilization rates and that the process could be represented with a dual Monod kinetic relationship between oxygen and the contaminants. Comparisons between the instantaneous model and the kinetic model suggest that oxygen transport is limiting in aquifers with seepage velocities less than 0.03 ft/d. The rate of oxygen utilization takes on more importance in aquifers with high velocities and for organic contaminants which are slowly degrading. The instantaneous reaction model is applied to a pilot scale bioremediation demonstration project at the Traverse City field site. A nutrient mix containing phosphate, ammonia and an oxygen source is injected into a portion of the contaminated aquifer. The BIOPLUME 2 model was used to select the design parameters for the test, mainly: the injection flow rate, the number of injection wells and the time required for renovation.

• Research Organization: Rice Univ., Houston, TX (United States)
• OSTI ID: 5672236
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540320* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BIODEGRADATION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CLEANING
DECOMPOSITION
DECONTAMINATION
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FLOW RATE
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MASS TRANSFER
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MICROORGANISMS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLUMES
POLLUTION
REMEDIAL ACTION
SIMULATION
WATER
WATER POLLUTION