Biostabilization of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Under Denitrification Conditions in Sediments
Abstract
Carnegie Mellon University and Stanford University investigated the anaerobic biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in contaminated sediments under bioslurry denitrifying conditions. Samples from sediment bioslurry tests and toxicity bioassays were used to assess PAH bioavailability as inferred from subparticle-scale measurement of PAH locations on sediment particles and association with sorbent organic matter. The research employed new microscale, analytic measurement techniques: microprobe, two-step laser desorption/laser ionization mass spectrometry; infrared microspectroscopy; wavelength dispersive X-ray analysis; and thermal desorption mass spectrometry. These techniques provide information on subparticle-scale PAH distributions in sediment. CMU researchers have reviewed relevant studies, cultivated Pseudomonas putida KBM1, a strain of microorganisms capable of degrading PAHs under denitrifying conditions, and conducted anaerobic and aerobic PAH degradation studies. R G. Luthy has leveraged the experimental studies with a major Gas Research Institute initiative on environmentally acceptable endpoints. CMU and Stanford have examined PAH distribution on dredged Milwaukee harbor sediment obtained from the Jones Island confined disposal facility. Subparticle-scale analyses have shown that PAH sorption involves near-surface sorption processes, rather than particle-scale diffusion phenomena, and that coal-like particles contain many times more PM's than silica particles. Results from anaerobic and aerobic biodegradation experiments conducted with two PAH contaminated sediments are presented in this final report.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 14, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA387063
Entities
People
- Ik-sung Ahn
- Joseph T. Bushey
- Richard G Luthy
- Tania Mahajan
- Upal Ghosh
Organizations
- Carnegie Mellon University