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MANAGEMENT OF PAH-IMPACTED SITES VIA IN SITU CHEMICAL CONTAINMENT AND MONITORING
Citation:
Mueller, J. G., S. M. Borchert, C. S. Heard, F. Lakhwala, S. E. Lantz, E. Klingel, W. Langley, M. D. Brourman, R B. Coffin, C. A. Kelley, B. A. Trust, L. A. Cifuentes, M. T. Montgomery, T. Boyd, B. J. Spargo, AND W. W. Schultz. MANAGEMENT OF PAH-IMPACTED SITES VIA IN SITU CHEMICAL CONTAINMENT AND MONITORING. Presented at Eighth International IGT Symposium on Gas, Oil and Environmental Biotechnology, Colorado Springs, CO, December 11 - 13, 1995.
Impact/Purpose:
Presentation
Description:
On a world-wide basis the magnitude of environmental contamination problems involving polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) is unmatched by any other group of organic chemicals. Despite the recognized limitations to PAH biodegradation (e.g., intrinsic chemical stability of the higher-molecular-weight PAHs), in situ bioremediation is frequently recommended out of practical and economic necessity. This is especially true when depth of contamination, magnitude of the problem, the presence of free product, or nature of contaminated material preclude other remedial actions. From our perspective, in situ chemical containment often represents an effective, safe and scientifically-valid management strategy, especially when these practices are combined with unequivocal approaches for monitoring in situ bioremediation of target contaminants. To field validate one approach to this strategy, we have completed the full-scale installation of a microbiologically-enhanced ground water circulation (UVB) system coupled with an in situ bioreactor at an operating wood preserving site in the southeast United States where constituents of coal tar creosote are present in soil and ground water. Data collected from a continuing sampling and analysis plan demonstrate that this sytem enhances in situ biodegradation of creosote and provides cost-efficient, effective in situ chemical containment and source management.