Biodegradation of hydrocarbon vapors in the unsaturated zone

Journal Article · Mon Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Water Resources Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/91WR00111· OSTI ID:5892915

Ostendorf, D W ^[1]; Kampbell, D H ^[2]

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1. Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst (United States)
2. Environmental Protection Agency, Ada, OK (United States)

The time-averaged concentration of hydrocarbon and oxygen vapors were measured in the unsaturated zone above the residually contaminated capillary fringe from an aviation gasoline spill at the US Coast Guard Air Station in Traverse City, Michigan. Total hydrocarbon and oxygen vapor concentrations were observed over a 13-month period. Supplementary grain size, porosity, and moisture content data support the assumption of a uniform, homogeneous site geology which, in view of the planar hydrocarbon source term, abundant oxygen, and sparse data base, is suitable for simple analytical modeling. In the assumed absence of advection, leaching, and transience, the analysis is a straight-forward balance of gaseous diffusion and biological degradation coupled stoichiometrically in the two reacting constituents. Volatilization is shown to be a significant transport mechanism for hydrocarbons at Traverse City, and biodegradation prevents the escape of appreciable contamination to the atmosphere for most locations at this site. Little oxygen is expected to reach the water table because of the aerobic biodegradation process in the unsaturated zone.

• OSTI ID: 5892915
• Journal Information: Water Resources Research; (United States), Journal Name: Water Resources Research; (United States) Vol. 27:4; ISSN 0043-1397; ISSN WRERA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540220* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
540320 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
ACCIDENTS
AEROBIC CONDITIONS
BIODEGRADATION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CLEANING
DECOMPOSITION
DECONTAMINATION
DIFFUSION
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
EVAPORATION
FLUIDS
FUELS
GASES
GASOLINE
HYDROCARBONS
LIQUID FUELS
MASS TRANSFER
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MONITORING
NONMETALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
SUBSURFACE ENVIRONMENTS
VAPORS