Monitoring Bioremediation of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Using Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectrometry

Abstract

Bioremediation has repeatedly been demonstrated to be an innovative and effective technology for a wide variety of chemically contaminated environments. Although, once predominantly used in wastewater treatment, bioremediation technology is now being applied to soils, ground and surface water, and sludges. The contaminates include chemicals such as crude oil, petroleum hydrocarbons, fuels, and solvents. Regardless of the type of contaminant, the success of any bioremediation approach includes these essential elements; site characterization, initial bioassessment testing, detailed laboratory testing, hydrologic modeling, installation and start-up, process monitoring and operation, final sampling and closure, reporting and management. A major expense in bioremediation can be associated with monitoring the degradation of contaminates. This cost may be reduced by applying readily available, simple analytical methods and instrumentation to the monitoring of the bioremediation process. Our research involves the monitoring of the bioremediation of ground water contaminated by low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by adapted alfalfa plants and their associated rhizosphere bacteria.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1994
Accession Number
ADA279631

Entities

People

  • Vance P. Visser

Organizations

  • Kansas State University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Alkanes
  • Alkenes
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Drinking Water
  • Ecology
  • Environmental Protection
  • Hazardous Waste
  • Law
  • Metabolism
  • Microorganisms
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Organic Materials
  • Petroleum
  • Plants
  • Spectra
  • Spectroscopy

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Agricultural Chemistry/Soil Science
  • Environmental Engineering.

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Biotechnology - Bioremediation