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Bioremediation of contaminated groundwater

Patent ·
OSTI ID:869718
 [1];  [1]
  1. Augusta, GA
+ Show Author Affiliations
An apparatus and method for in situ remediation of contaminated subsurface soil or groundwater contaminated by chlorinated hydrocarbons. A nutrient fluid is selected to stimulate the growth and reproduction of indigenous subsurface microorganisms that are capable of degrading the contaminants; an oxygenated fluid is selected to create a generally aerobic environment for these microorganisms to degrade the contaminants, leaving only pockets that are anaerobic. The nutrient fluid is injected periodically while the oxygenated fluid is injected continuously and both are extracted so that both are drawn across the plume. The nutrient fluid stimulates microbial colony growth; withholding it periodicially forces the larger, healthy colony of microbes to degrade the contaminants. Treatment is continued until the subsurface concentration of contaminants is reduced to an acceptable, preselected level. The nutrient fluid can be methane and the oxygenated fluid air for stimulating production of methanotrophs to break down chlorohydrocarbons, especially trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene.
Research Organization:
WESTINGHOUSE SAVANNAH RIVER CO
DOE Contract Number:
AC09-89SR18035
Assignee:
United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
Patent Number(s):
US 5384048
OSTI ID:
869718
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (3)

Biodegradation of chlorinated ethenes by a methane-utilizing mixed culture journal April 1986
Aerobic Metabolism of Trichloroethylene by a Bacterial Isolate journal August 1986
Biodegradation of trichloroethylene and involvement of an aromatic biodegradative pathway journal May 1987

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