Bioventing and Natural Attenuation Technology Demonstration at Rhein-Main Air Base, Frankfurt, Germany

Abstract

This project involved the installation and operation of a bioventing system and the evaluation of natural attenuation of a mixed fuels spill at the Petroleum, Oils, and Lubricants (POL) Yard at Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany. initially air was injected into the vent wells at a rate of 350 LImin (12.5 cfm) using a regenerative air blower. The blower was subsequently replaced with an oil-less air compressor delivering an equilibrium flow of 196 LImin (7 cfm) at a pressure of 24 psi (165 kP). Data gathered indicated that bioventing was stimulating biodegradation of the hydrocarbon contaminants at the site. It is calculated that 2,800 kg total hydrocarbon was removed during the project. Surface emissions at the site appeared to be minimal. Data was collected on the hydrocarbon plume associated with the site of the biodegradation. A reduction in plume concentration is generally considered evidence of natural attenuation, provided that it is known that the plume source is being removed and that the plume is not increasing in size. The conclusion that natural attenuation is occuring at this site was most strongly suppofled by the distribution and spatial trend of contaminant constituents, electron acceptors, and degradation products upgradient and immediately downgradient of the source. Dissolved oxygen data showed that aerobic conditions were clearly present upgradient from the source, and that the aquifer became far less rich in oxygen under the POL Yard. There was clearly a reduction of electron acceptors under the POL Yard and at the first downgradient location. Metabolic byproducts were increasing from the upgradient location to the downgradient location, all indicating natural attenuation. 14 SLiRJ%CT TFRMS 15. NUMBER OF PAGES

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 10, 1999
Accession Number
ADA385096

Entities

People

  • Andrea Leeson
  • Chris Perry
  • Julie Kramer
  • Lydia Cumming
  • Mark R. Kelley

Organizations

  • Battelle Memorial Institute

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • C4I
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Compressors
  • Air Force
  • Alkanes
  • Bioremediation
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Construction
  • Electron Acceptors
  • Environment
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Environmental Protection
  • Groundwater
  • Materials
  • Organic Compounds
  • Unexploded Ammunition
  • Volatile Organic Compounds

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Groundwater Contamination Remediation.
  • Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Technology.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics