Bioremediation of contaminated surface soils

Technical Report · Tue Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1989

OSTI ID:7189241

Sims, J L; Sims, R C; Matthews, J E

Biological processes, including microbial degradation, have been identified as critical mechanisms for attenuating organic contaminants during transit through the vadose zone to the groundwater. On-site soil remedial measures using biological processes can reduce or eliminate groundwater contamination, thus reducing the need for extensive groundwater monitoring and treatment requirements. On-site remedial systems that utilize the soil as the treatment system accomplish treatment by using naturally occurring microorganisms to treat the contaminants. Treatment often may be enhanced by a variety of physical/chemical methods, such as fertilization, tilling, soil pH adjustment, moisture control, etc. The development of a bioremediation program for a specific contaminated soil system includes: (1) a thorough site/soil/waste characterization; (2) treatability studies; and (3) design and implementation of the bioremediation plan. Biological remediation of soils contaminated with organic chemicals has been demonstrated to be an alternative treatment technology that can often meet the goal of achieving a permanent clean-up remedy at hazardous waste sites.

• Research Organization: Environmental Protection Agency, Ada, OK (USA). Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Lab.
• OSTI ID: 7189241
• Report Number(s): PB-90-164047/XAB; EPA--600/9-89/073
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BIODEGRADATION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CLEANING
CONTROL
DECOMPOSITION
DECONTAMINATION
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
LAND POLLUTION
MICROORGANISMS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PH VALUE
POLLUTION
POLLUTION CONTROL
SOILS
WATER
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL