Enhanced In Situ Anaerobic Bioremediation of Fuel-Contaminated Ground Water
Abstract
We have demonstrated the application of an enhanced in situ anaerobic bioremediation technology to clean up ground water contaminated with fuel hydrocarbons, particularly benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX). The technology is based on introduction of electron acceptors such as sulfate and nitrate, coupled with removal of toxic or inhibitory compounds such as sulfide, in order to stimulate anaerobic ground water bacteria. The bacteria use the fuel hydrocarbons as a source of carbon and energy, mineralizing BTEX and other hydrocarbons to harmless carbon dioxide in the process. The details of this demonstration have been provided in the project Final Report, and are summarized in this document. A key issue in the implementation of this technology is the ability to effectively introduce the electron acceptors into the contaminated aquifer region while simultaneously removing toxic or inhibitory compounds. To accomplish this, we installed three injection wells and one extraction well into the contaminated region of the demonstration aquifer. Extracted water was treated to remove toxic and inhibitory compounds, as well as target compounds that were not degraded in situ, then augmented with electron acceptors at the appropriate concentrations, then re-injected via the injection wells. This design allowed the development of three treatment zones (one zone between the extraction well and each of the three injection wells). This methodology is particularly effective at contaminated sites where the target contaminants are sorbed to the aquifer solids and/or are present as small globules of non-aqueous-phase liquids (NAPLs), because the treatment zones are created in the same portion of the aquifer as where the contamination is located.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA631422
Entities
People
- Martin Reinhard
Organizations
- Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command