Bioremediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils and groundwater in northern climates
A field demonstration and research project was conducted in Fairbanks, Alaska, to demonstrate, evaluate, and document the construction and operation of three selected bioremediation technologies-landfarming, recirculating leachbeds, and infiltration galleries. Landfarming involves adding water and nutrients to contaminated soil to stimulate microbial activity and contaminant degradation. Infiltration galleries are dynamic in-situ treatment systems designed to stimulate microbial activity and subsequent hydrocarbon degradation by circulating nutrient and oxygen-amended water through petroleum-contaminated soil. Recirculating leachbeds, in a way similar to slurry reactors, aerate and mix nutrients with contaminated soil, and can be built as on-site bioreactors. Estimated biotreatment costs in the landfarm were between $20 to $30 per cubic yard ($15 to $23 per cubic meter). Nutrient placement has been demonstrated to be a critical factor, even though the site is tilled and mixed frequently. Success of the infiltration gallery was more difficult to document. Benzene was detected at less than 2 ppb and BTEX levels were less than 5 ppb for water extracted from the pumping well during 1992, which is significantly lower than the 1991 levels. Problems were encountered during the brief operation of the recirculating leach bed, but a similar system has performed well. Relatively simple, low-cost techniques provided significant potential for improving degradation rates.
- Research Organization:
- Office of the Chief of Engineers (Army), Washington, DC (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 621618
- Report Number(s):
- AD-A-342625/1/XAB; TRN: 81730457
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: Mar 1998
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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