Grantee Research Project Results
Influence of Nonionic Surfactants on the Bioavailability of Chlorinated Benzenes for Microbial Reductive Dechlorination
EPA Grant Number: R825404Title: Influence of Nonionic Surfactants on the Bioavailability of Chlorinated Benzenes for Microbial Reductive Dechlorination
Investigators: Pavlostathis, Spyros G. , Pennell, Kurt D.
Current Investigators: Pavlostathis, Spyros G. , Pennell, Kurt D. , Yeh, Daniel H , Karagunduz, Ahmet , Chang, Eric , Marti, Charlotte A.
Institution: Georgia Technology Research Corporation
Current Institution: Georgia Institute of Technology
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: November 12, 1996 through November 11, 1999
Project Amount: $333,348
RFA: Environmental Fate and Treatment of Toxics and Hazardous Wastes (1996) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Hazardous Waste/Remediation , Safer Chemicals , Land and Waste Management
Description:
The primary goal of this project is to systematically assess the use of surfactants to increase the bioavailability of chlorinated benzenes for microbial reductive dechlorination. Biodegradable surfactants which could serve as electron donors for the reductive dechlorination process will be selected. Surfactant-aided desorption of hexachlorobenzene, quantification of sorption and transport of surfactants in aquifer material as well as simultaneous desorption and biotransformation of chlorinated benzenes in the presence of surfactants will be evaluated. Experimental measurements in batch and column systems will be linked to mathematical modeling for the description of coupled transport, sorption and biotransformation of both surfactant and organic contaminants.Comparatively little information is available on the use of surfactants to facilitate the biotransformation of hydrophobic contaminants under anaerobic conditions, the aerobic biodegradability of many surfactants, and the potential use of surfactants as electron donors for the microbial reductive dechlorination process. In addition, many studies have failed to address the potentially negative impacts of surfactant treatments on contaminant biotransformation. The results from this investigation will aid in our understanding of the above considerations and also provide insights into the desirability of the use of biodegradable surfactants in bioremediation efforts. It is anticipated that this project will lead to the development of a process which combines the use of surfactants and microbial reductive dechlorination for the biotransformation of polychlorinated organic compounds, especially those that are strongly sorbed. This research project will also provide information on the potential effect of nonionic surfactants on the anaerobic biotransformation of contaminants during surfactant use for the in-situ remediation of non-aqueous-phase liquids.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 13 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 2 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Scientific Discipline, Waste, Toxics, Fate & Transport, Chemistry, HAPS, Environmental Chemistry, 33/50, Bioavailability, Bioremediation, Benzene (including benzene from gasoline), microbial reductive dechlorination, bioremediation model, biotechnology, biotransformation, kinetic studies, sorption kinetics, waste chemicals, geochemistry, benzene, hazardous waste cleanup, surfactant-aided desportion, fate and transport, hazardous waste, nonionic surfactants, chemical transport, contaminant transport models, chlorinated benzenes, environmental toxicant, microbiology, transport, mobility, chemical releases, chlorinated solventsProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.