Enhanced bioremediation of persistent organic chemical pollutants

consist of BTEX and chlorinated organic compounds which have been located at depths of up to 25 metres below ground level. Most of the contamination was found to be highly mobile, and in the solute phase. Enhanced bioremediation has been chosen as the preferred treatment method for these plumes. The US Environmental Protection Agency defines enhanced bioremediation as a process in which indigenous or inoculated micro-organisms degrade (metabolise) organic contaminants found in soil and/or ground water. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES 1. To obtain samples from the site. BACKGROUND Large-scale contamination of soils and groundwater by organic chemical pollutants has been recognised, over the past couple of decades, as a serious problem. Implications for damage to human health, the environment and civil structures are now considered to pose serious risks to the integrity of our global ecosystem. In the UK, part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 states that contaminated land must be identified and, if found to pose a significant risk, must be remediated. In addition to this, planning regulations also state that brownfield land must be remediated prior to redevelopment. Biological treatment technologies are relatively new to the field of geoenvironmental engineering. Much research is required in order to develop more efficient and effective methods of implementing such technologies. Bioremediation research requires the integration of a number of different fields including project management, soil science, hydrogeology and engineering. The GRP has a wide range of expertise, making it well suited for this type of project. THE PROJECT A site has been identified as being contaminated with both petroleum and chlorinated hydrocarbons. Due to the extent of contamination, the first aim of the project was to target a specific problem from which to develop the research. The focus of this project is aimed at a number of persistent organic chemical plumes which are migrating towards off-site receptors. The plumes 2. To identify and quantify indigenous microorganisms using genetic analysis. 3. To single out those micro-organisms which contain the appropriate genes necessary for facilitating metabolisation of the pollutants. 4. To carry out microcosm studies, using the chosen micro-organisms, under different nutrient conditions, in order to determine their degradation/ transformation capabilities. 5. To use these findings in proposing a method which could be employed in the field to remediate the polluted focus area of the site.

Groundwater Flow

Microbe seeding

POLLUTANT PLUME TREATMENT ZONE

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Dr Robert W. Francis FrancisRW1@cf.ac.uk +44 (0)29 2087 5005 Mr Wayne R. Amber AmberWR@cf.ac.uk +44 (0)29 2087 4000 x7401

Issue date: November 03