Use BioSolve Pinkwater for Aerobic Bioremediation of Hydrocarbon Contaminated Soil

The term soil remediation encompasses a broad range of processes and products designed to
eliminate different types of contaminants from soil. Contaminants of concern may be petroleum
hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons, pesticides, metals, creosote, and cyanides amongst
many others. Soil remediation is undertaken to return the quality of contaminated soil at a site to
an acceptable level as defined by regulatory authorities. A key determinate of the level of
residual post-remediation contamination (if any) allowed by regulators is the proximity of the
site to an aquifer or other source of groundwater. The proximity to residential, commercial or
agricultural activity are other key determinates of the pace and extent of remediation required.
Selection of the most appropriate remediation methodology will be determined by the nature and
level of soil contamination, the scale of the site, and regulatory limitations (such as whether
excavation and removal to a land fill is allowed). Most essentially, the choice is between using
an in-situ or ex-situ method. That is, whether or not the soil will be treated in place, or
removed before treatment. The choice of remediation method is made by qualified environmental
engineers and is generally preceded by extensive site characterization.
Bioremediation, whether it be aerobic or anaerobic, is generally preferred other more expensive,
invasive, energy intensive remediation methods. Bioremediation involves the use of biological
methods to gradually eliminate contaminates through either natural oxidation or reduction using
bacteria. The process may be undertaken either in-situ (soil mixing) or ex-situ (soil washing, land
farming, biopiles).
A product commonly used to accelerate aerobic bioremediation is BioSolve Pinkwater .
Pinkwater is a non-hazardous, non-toxic, biodegradable, a water-based formulation of non-ionic
surfactants. The addition of Pinkwater accelerates the natural process of hydrocarbon
degradation. The mixing in of surfactants causes a dramatic increase in surface area of
hydrocarbon droplets, thereby making the contaminates more bio-available to digester
bacteria.
It is important to note that aerobic bioremediation requires the simultaneous presence of a
number of factors supportive of bacteriological activity: oxygen, moisture, air temperature of at
least 50 degrees Fahrenheit, nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous, carbon), and close to neutral soil
pH.
These considerations lead to the conclusion that in-situ soil remediation based on aerobic
bioremediation is best suited when contamination is limited to the top 18 inches of soil. Also
contamination levels of greater than 50,000 parts per million may be too toxic for bacteria to
thrive. Some jurisdictions allow the remediation contractor to mix in non-contaminated soil/sand
so as to reduce soil toxicity to levels that will support microbial activity.
In colder areas, soil may need to be insulated and covered for better results. In cooler climates,
the remediation process can be much more gradual, or only possible during warmer seasons.
The BioSolve Company sells BioSolve Pinkwater as an amendment that supports and
accelerates the bioremediation process. Whether the work is done in-situ or ex-situ, a 1% to 2%

solution is mixed into the soil just once or twice during the process. If temperature, moisture,
nutrients, oxygen, and pH are maintained at favorable levels, the contaminants in soil can be
degraded to acceptable levels in a period of one or two months.
The Pinkwater solution can be applied using standard equipment, including hoses, rototillers,
mixing tanks, pressure washers, etc. To learn more about this solution and how it works, you can
visit www.biosolve.com or call (781) 482-7900 in the Unites States.
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