The evolution of a technology: The in situ bioremediation of hydrocarbons
- Groundwater Technology, Inc., Trenton, NJ (United States)
- Eckenfelder, Inc., Nashville, TN (United States)
Hydrocarbon contamination of soils and groundwater is a significant problem due to the large quantities of hydrocarbons transported and stored. In situ bioremediation was one of the first remediation technologies to successfully address both dissolved and adsorbed-phase hydrocarbon contamination. Pioneering work by Richard L. Raymond be in 1972 demonstrated the commercial potential of in situ bioremediation. In the early 1980s it was recognized that the lack of an efficient oxygen supply limited implementation of the technology. Early systems used diffusers to saturate injected water with air. These systems, however, introduced limited amounts of oxygen and were prone to fouling. The innovation of using hydrogen peroxide (H{sub 2}O{sub 2}) provided oxygen at a rate up to two orders of magnitude faster than did the existing technology. Although H{sub 2}O{sub 2} was used successfully at a number of sites, problems including too rapid decomposition, gas blockage, and inefficient use were encountered at other sites. Subsequently, alternatives such as the use of nitrate as an electron acceptor, bioventing, and air sparging have been evaluated and implemented based on cost and/or technical advantages. This paper discusses the evolution of in situ bioremediation from the early use of in well aeration to the current use of air sparging. Much of the evolution of in situ bioremediation of hydrocarbons has been a search for a cost effective electron acceptor. This paper examines the driving forces behind the use of oxygen, H{sub 2}O{sub 2}, and alternative electron acceptors in the development of in situ bioremediation.
- OSTI ID:
- 49344
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-941189-; ISBN 1-56590-016-2; TRN: IM9523%%167
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: SUPERFUND XV: 15th environmental conference and exhibition for the hazardous materials/hazardous waste management industry, Washington, DC (United States), 29 Nov - 1 Dec 1994; Other Information: PBD: 1994; Related Information: Is Part Of Superfund XV conference proceedings. Volume 1; PB: 866 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
In situ bioremediation of a former natural gas dehydrator site using bioventing/biosparging
Site characterization and remediation monitoring using in situ subsurface sensors