Grantee Research Project Results
1999 Progress Report: Bioavailability, Complex Mixtures, and In-Situ Bioremediation of Organic Contaminants
EPA Grant Number: R825415Title: Bioavailability, Complex Mixtures, and In-Situ Bioremediation of Organic Contaminants
Investigators: Brusseau, Mark , Miller-Maier, Raina M.
Institution: University of Arizona
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: November 1, 1996 through October 31, 1999
Project Period Covered by this Report: November 1, 1998 through October 31, 1999
Project Amount: $487,377
RFA: DOE/EPA/NSF/ONR Joint Program on Bioremediation (1996) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Hazardous Waste/Remediation , Land and Waste Management
Objective:
The overall goal of this project is to enhance our understanding of the impact of bioavailability and related factors on the biodegradation and in situ bioremediation of organic contaminants in subsurface systems. The specific objectives that have been addressed to date include: (1) developing methods for in situ measurement of microbial activity in soil; (2) investigating the effect of residence time and substrate concentration on bioavailability and biodegradation of organic compounds; (3) investigating the influence of bacterial population heterogeneity on bioavailability and biodegradation of organic compounds; (4) evaluating the use of biosurfactants for enhancing bioavailability and biodegradation of organic compounds; and (5) developing and evaluating mathematical models capable of simulating biodegradation and transport in complex systems.Progress Summary:
We have developed two methods that allow us to obtain in situ measurements of microbial activities/distributions in soil systems (Objective 1). The first method involves a luminescence detection system that couples a genetically engineered bioluminescent report organism and fiber optic technology that can be used to monitor microbial activity under dynamic conditions. The second method involves an agar lift-DNA/DNA hybridization technique for use in visualizing the spatial distribution of bacteria on soil surfaces. We are using these methods to correlate microbial activity with the magnitude and rate of biodegradation measured during miscible-displacement transport experiments. For example, we have used these methods to investigate the impact of substrate residence time and initial concentration, microbial lag, and population growth on the bioavailability and biodegradation of model hydrocarbons (Objective 2). A recent focus of our research has been the behavior of microbial populations that contain multiple species capable of degrading the target substrate. In an initial set of column experiments using phenanthrene and an unamended field soil, we observed unique and complex biodegradation and transport behavior for phenanthrene. Analysis of effluent and soil samples using ERIC and 16S-rDNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods indicated that 24 species capable of degrading phenanthrene were present in the soil system. The results of initial analyses suggest that the heterogeneous population experienced succession, inter-species competition, and perhaps gene-transfer during the 6-month experiment.Future Activities:
Work continues on Objectives 4 and 5. Specifically, we will continue to examine the influence of immiscible organic liquid phases on the bioavailability and biodegradation of model polyaromatic hydrocarbons and the impact of biosurfactant addition. In addition, we are continuing the development of our mathematical model that is designed to simulate biodegradation and transport of contaminants in complex systems. For example, we are implementing the capability to simulate simultaneously the growth and biodegradation activity of multiple microbial species.Journal Articles on this Report : 2 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
| Other project views: | All 17 publications | 6 publications in selected types | All 6 journal articles |
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Brusseau ML, Xie LH, Li L. Biodegradation during contaminant transport in porous media: 1. Mathematical analysis of controlling factors. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology 1999;37(3-4):269-293. |
R825415 (1999) R825415 (Final) |
not available |
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Jordan FL, Maier RM. Development of an agar lift-DNA/DNA hybridization technique for use in visualization of the spatial distribution of eubacteria on soil surfaces. Journal of Microbiological Methods 1999;38(1-2):107-117. |
R825415 (1999) R825415 (Final) |
not available |
Supplemental Keywords:
groundwater, soil, biodegradation, bioavailability, chemical transport, risk assessment, chemicals, solvents, non-aqueous phase liquid, NAPL, remediation, cleanup, hydrology, measurement methods., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Toxics, Waste, Geographic Area, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Bioavailability, Ecology, Remediation, Environmental Chemistry, State, Chemistry, HAPS, chemical mixtures, Bioremediation, Biology, Engineering, complex mixtures, fate and transport, microbiology, hydrocarbon, biodegradation, Hill Air Force Base, subsurface systems, mass transfer, adsorption, chemical transport, sorption contact time, hazardous waste cleanup, in situ bioremediation, Arizona (AZ), chemical releases, vadose zone, biosurfactant specifity, organic contaminants, bacterial degradationProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe 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.