Field results on the use of solid-phase oxygen supplementation compounds to accelerate intrinsic biodegradation of GRO and BTEX in a high K aquifer
- Kennedy/Jenks Consultants, Federal Way, WA (United States)
The intrinsic rate of biodegradation of GRO and BTEX can be strongly enhanced by oxygen supplementation. It is well established that aerobic biodegradation rates are significantly faster than anaerobic biodegradation rates for gasoline range organics and BTEX compounds. This paper emphasizes empirical field data on the use of solid-phase oxygen releasing compounds (ORC{sup R}; Regenesis, Inc.) to provide bioavailable dissolved oxygen in a problematic hydrogeologic system. The field results present strong evidence of the effectiveness of oxygen supplementation for reducing contaminant mass in situ and a method for using ORC{sup R} in high permeability/rapid flow groundwater systems. The original contaminant plume is large (600 feet by 400 feet) with total BTEX concentrations up to 48 mg/L and gasoline range organics (GRO) concentrations up to 170 mg/L. Site conditions are complicated by rapid groundwater flow that accelerates across the site from about 1 ft/day to about 10 ft/day in a thinning and gravelly aquifer. The plume also contained a well defined anaerobic core and an aerobic fringe. Approximately 1000 pounds of ORC{sup R} were placed hydraulically upgradient of the anoxic core of the plume. The data demonstrate elimination of the anoxic core of the plume after 180 days and increases in bioavailable dissolved oxygen up to 250 feet downgradient of the ORC{sup R} placement locations. Total BTEX concentrations were demonstrated to be reduced by an average of about 60% and GRO were reduced by an average of 70% in the core of the plume after 180 days. These reductions represent significant decreases in contaminant mass within the plume and the efficacy of using hydraulic dispersion for distributing dissolved oxygen within a water table aquifer.
- OSTI ID:
- 569987
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-971116--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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