Biodegradation and Sorption of Organic Solvents and Hydrocarbon Fuel Constituents in Subsurface Environments

Abstract

The biodegradation and sorption of chlorinated hydrocarbons solvents and hydrocarbon fuel constituents in subsurface environments were investigated to provide information for development of optimal strategies for decontamination of polluted ground water. Biodegradation studies revealed that subsurface microorganism growing aerobically on light aliphatic hydrocarbons can co- metabolically degrade trichloroethylene and related compounds which are normally recalcitrant to biodegradation in aerobic subsurface environments. This process has high potential as a basis for ground water reclamation methodologies, as illustrated by further studies employing laboratory-scale fixed film bioreactors. Other biodegradation work indicated that light aromatic hydrocarbons, which are usually considered not to biodegrade under anaerobic conditions, can have a biological fate in anoxic subsurface environments. Fuel constituents, Solvents, Biodegradation, Fixed-film, Co-metabolically, Aerobic, Anaerobic, Groundwater reclamation low-carbon aquifer materials, Hydrophobic sorption.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1988
Accession Number
ADA203753

Entities

People

  • B. H. Wilson
  • J. M. Henson
  • J. T. Wilson
  • M. D. Piwoni
  • P. Banerjee

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Facilities
  • Aliphatic Hydrocarbons
  • Alkanes
  • Alkenes
  • Aromatic Compounds
  • Aromatic Hydrocarbons
  • Chemistry
  • Chlorinated Hydrocarbons
  • Environmental Protection
  • Groundwater
  • Halogenated Hydrocarbons
  • Hydrocarbon Fuels
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Testing
  • Microorganisms
  • Organic Compounds

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Groundwater Contamination Remediation.

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Biotechnology - Bioremediation