Bioventing in the subarctic: Field scale implementation of soil heating to allow in situ vadose zone biodegradation throughout the year

Conference · · Ground Water; (United States)

OSTI ID:7133272

Oram, D E; Winters, A T ^[1]; Winsor, T R

---

1. EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Lafayette, CA (United States)

Bioventing is a technique of in situ bioremediation of contaminants in unsaturated zone soils that has advantages over other technologies such as soil vapor extraction. At locations where off-gas treatment would be required, bioventing can be a more cost-effective method of remediation. Using bioventing to remediate petroleum hydrocarbons in the vadose zone soils in extremely cold climates may be augmented by heating the subsurface soils. The US Air Force has conducted a bioventing feasibility study at Eielson Air Force Base since 1991. The feasibility study evaluated different methods of heating soils to maintain biodegradation rates through the winter. Results from this study were used to optimize the design of a full-scale bioventing system that incorporated a soil heating system. The system installed consists of the typical components of a bioventing system including an air injection blower, a system to distribute air in the vadose zone, and a monitoring system. To maintain biodegradation at a constant rate throughout the year, soil heating and temperature monitoring systems were also installed. Results to date indicate that summer soil temperatures and biodegradation of hydrocarbons have been maintained through the winter.

• OSTI ID: 7133272
• Report Number(s): CONF-9410209--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Ground Water; (United States) Journal Volume: 32:5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020900* -- Petroleum-- Environmental Aspects
ARCTIC REGIONS
BIODEGRADATION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CLEANING
CRYOSPHERE
DECOMPOSITION
DECONTAMINATION
HYDROCARBONS
IN-SITU PROCESSING
MILITARY FACILITIES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLAR REGIONS
PROCESSING
REMEDIAL ACTION
SOILS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
WATER RECLAMATION