Fate of Complex Aromatic Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Marine Sediments: Biological Transformation, Degradation and Sequestration
Abstract
The objective was to develop methods to determine how low-level mixtures of PAHs degrade aerobically in marine sediment systems, in order to determine what rate and extent of biodegradation can be expected in marine sediments under natural and engineered conditions. Patterns of PAR biodegradation were evaluated under various conditions. The relative and absolute losses of mixtures of PARs under various experimental conditions were compared. Novel methods were developed and validated to synthesize "realistic" model sediments for biodegradation and fate experiments. A number of conclusions can be drawn from experimental results: (1) Even "aged" model samples behave in a less complex way than do field-contaminated samples, but they still provide insight into trends. (2) Mineralization experiments underpredicted extent of attenuation, relative to experiments which track loss of extractable PAR, but they did show degradation potential. (3) Much of extractable PAR loss observed in the laboratory and field is most likely not mineralization, but rather is probably the result of binding and transformation processes. (4) 3-5 ringed PARs appear sensitive to degree of aeration, but do attenuate impressively under realistic surface conditions (i.e., occasionally aerated by natural processes) . (5) Laboratory results should be extrapolated to the field with caution.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 25, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA401427
Entities
People
- Sabine E. Apitz
Organizations
- Naval Information Warfare Systems Command