Grantee Research Project Results

2001 Progress Report: Quantitative Demonstration of Source-Zone Bioremediation in A Field-Scale Experimental Controlled Release System

EPA Grant Number: R828598C846
Subproject: this is subproject number 846 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R828598
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: HSRC (2001) - South and Southwest HSRC
Center Director: Reible, Danny D.
Title: Quantitative Demonstration of Source-Zone Bioremediation in A Field-Scale Experimental Controlled Release System
Investigators: Hughes, Joseph B , Ward, Herb
Institution: Georgia Institute of Technology , Rice University
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: September 1, 2000 through August 31, 2004
Project Period Covered by this Report: September 1, 2000 through August 31, 2001
RFA: Gulf Coast Hazardous Substance Research Center (Lamar University) (1996) RFA Text |  Recipients Lists
Research Category: Hazardous Waste/Remediation , Targeted Research

Objective:

To successfully demonstrate the ability to scale-up a culture of tetrachloroethene (PCE) dechlorinating bacteria and add this culture an experimentally controlled aquifer tank, which contains a PCE d-NAPL. The observation of byproducts associated with the dechlorinaion would be considered a success.

Progress Summary:

A culture of PCE degrading bacteria has been successfully maintained for 8 years. This mixed-culture consistently produces ethene, the final product of PCE reduction. The culture is run in a 1.8-Liter column, which is continuously fed nutrients and PCE and will be the seed source for "scale-up." Several journal articles were consulted to assist in calculating the amount of culture needed for bioaugmentation. From the articles the best calculations obtained were to add5-liters of aqueous culture per cubic meter. The ECRS tank is approximately 20.83 cubic meters, and the designed reactor is approximately 113-liters. This roughly equates to 5.5-liters per cubic meter. Two chemostat reactors have been designed and fabricated for the "scale-up" of this mixed culture. Each reactor is a 30-gallon cylindrical tank, which will be seeded from the effluent of the column that contains the mixed culture. The reactor has a valve, where nutrients and PCE can be added and aqueous samples can be obtained. Reactor design also contains a gas sampling point, which also acts as gas/pressure relief. Nutrients and glucose were added to the chemostat the day before collection of the PCE degrading column effluent began. This was done to ensure the chemostat achieves anaerobic status, and the bacteria have nutrients to sustain growth. Collection of the PCE degrading column effluent began on April 16, 2001. Each 30-gallon reactor is sampled daily for chemical oxygen demand, total and volatile suspended solids, and gas samples for methane, ethene, vinyl chloride, and other gas production. The first bioreactor has been running successfully for 209 days, and the second bioreactor has been running successfully for 127 days. The bioreactors are periodically fed PCE, 1-Normal sodium hydroxide for pH adjustment, sodium lactate, and nutrients. Microcosms are periodically run from both bioreactors to further test the degradation capabilities. The 50-mL microcosms are spiked with PCE and indicate that the final products of both bioreactors in the degradation of PCE are ethene and vinyl chloride. Complete PCE degradation is occurring in approximately 24-hours. Sand microcosms have been set-up to assess removal of PCE by the indigenous population of microorganisms from the ECRS tank. 50-grams of soil and 20-mL of deionized water spiked with 100-mg/L lactate and 4 mg/L PCE were placed into 70-mL sealed microcosm bottles. Everything but the soil was autoclaved and the lactate/PCE media was filtered before being added to the microcosm bottles. 16 bottles were set-up, and every two weeks a headspace analysis is run on two of the microcosm bottles. Four sets of sand microcosm bottles have been sampled to date, and all results show no signs of PCE degradation by the indigenous population of microorganisms from ECRS sand. A bromide tracer study was run on the ECRS tank. A six-hour pulse input of 1000 mg/L bromide solution was injected into the inlet of the ERCS tank on September 5, 2001 starting at 5:00 am. Samples of approximately 50 mL to 100 mL were taken based on a schedule that was developed using the 1-D Domenico and Robbins equation to estimate break through curves. A bromide probe, which gave readings in terms of milli-volts (mV), was used to analyze the samples. A six-point calibration curve was developed from solutions of known bromide concentration, which allowed us to translate the mV readings to their corresponding concentrations in mg/L. The results seem to indicate that the ECRS tank is not packed evenly, with what appears to be areas of hard pack through the center that retard the mass of bromide flowing through. Despite the lack of homogeneity, the bromide mass is conserved and some general trends can be seen. The points parallel to the inlet reached their concentration peaks first with respect to the other sampling lines that lie in the same x-line. This is probably due to the fact that this is simply the shortest path for the bromide. The next set of lines to reach their peak were those parallel to the outlet, at a slightly higher peak concentration value than the inlet side points. The final set of lines to peak were those points in the centerline, with most of the mass going through this area. These three trends show that the gravel pack did not fill up before it began leaving the area and the bromide solution didn't then move as a uniform wave as was predicted. Another result that went against our predictions was that significant concentrations were only seen at sampling locations at 6 inches from the bottom, which was the height of the injection. Sampling locations2 feet off the bottom at any location in the y-direction saw only trace amounts of bromide, on the order of 10 times less than their counterpart below at the same x, y coordinate, demonstrating that there was almost no vertical mixing. Both of main sets of results lead us to believe that there is very low dispersion through the sand and the ECRS is very similar to field conditions marked with much heterogeneity. Bacterial transport and pressure studies have been completed using ECRS tank sand in packed columns and bacteria from bioreactor 1 and 2. Results show that bacteria travel is retarded up to three times as compared to a conservative tracer, in this case 1000 ppm bromide. Pressure studies were conducted using deionized water as a base line, and comparing the results of bacterial injection to the deionized water. The results of this study showed no significant impact in back pressure associated with the injection of bacteria into sand columns.

Future Activities:

Addition of bacteria to the ECRS tank will occur on November 16, 2001, and monitoring of the ECRS tank for byproducts of PCE dechlorination will continue for a yet to be determined period of time.

Supplemental Keywords:

RFA, Scientific Discipline, INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, Waste, Water, TREATMENT/CONTROL, POLLUTANTS/TOXICS, Contaminated Sediments, Treatment Technologies, Remediation, Environmental Chemistry, Chemicals, Hazardous Waste, Bioremediation, Chemistry and Materials Science, Hazardous, Groundwater remediation, Environmental Engineering, sediment treatment, hazardous waste treatment, advanced treatment technologies, contaminant transport, in situ remediation, DNAPL, contaminated sediment, chemical contaminants, chemical transport, anaerobic biodegradation, DNAPLs, contaminated soil, in-situ bioremediation, in situ bioremediation, contaminated groundwater, groundwater contamination, anaerobic degradation, anaerobic biotransformation, groundwater

Progress and Final Reports:

Original Abstract

2002

2003

Final

Main Center Abstract and Reports:

R828598    HSRC (2001) - South and Southwest HSRC

Subprojects under this Center: (EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R822721C529 Environmentally Acceptable Endpoints: Risk Based Remediation Using Bioremediation
R822721C552 Degradative Solidification/Stabilization Technology for Chlorinated Hydrocarbons
R822721C569 Treatment and Product Recovery: Supercritical Water Oxidation of Nylon Monomer Manufacturing Waste
R822721C620 Colloidal Fouling of Membranes: Implications in the Treatment of Textile Dye Wastes and Water Reuse
R822721C626 Catalytic Hydroprocessing of Chlorinated Organics
R822721C627 The Interaction of Microbial Activity and Zero Valent Iron Permeable Barrier Technology
R822721C630 Microbial Cometabolism of Recalcitrant Chemicals in Contaminated Air Streams
R822721C633 Catalyst Lifetime Studies for Chlorocarbon Steam Reforming
R822721C635 Electrokinetic/Surfactant-Enhanced Remediation of Hydrophobic Pollutants in Low Permeability Subsurface Environments
R822721C636 Transformation Reactions of Nitroaromatic and Nitrogen Heterocyclic Compounds on Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) Surfaces: Enhancement of GAC Adsorption in Natural and Engineered Environmental Systems
R822721C640 Environmentally Friendly Organic Synthesis in Supercritical Fluids
R822721C645 Development and Evaluation of an Integrated Model to Facilitate Risk-Based Corrective Action at Superfund Sites
R822721C651 Adjustable Biopolymer Chelators for Cadmium, Lead and Mercury
R822721C653 New Electrochemically Smart Catalysts for Hazardous Waste Management and Development of Capillary Electrophoresis for Analysis of their Products
R822721C655 Soil Sampling in South Alabama Oil Fields
R822721C659 Subsurface Contamination Site Characterization via a Computer-Aided Visual Tool
R822721C661 New Insoluble supports for Protein Immobilization for Use in Metalloprotein Affinity Metal Chromatography
R822721C663 Soil Remediation with Ultra-High-Efficiency Hydrocyclones
R822721C669 Solid Acid Catalyzed Alkylation in Supercritical Fluids
R822721C679 Regeneration/Reactivation of Carbon Adsorbents by Radio Frequency (RF) Induction Heating
R822721C687 Improved Halogen Resistance of Catalytic Oxidation
R822721C696 Phytoremediation and Bioremediation of Land Contaminated By PAHs, PCBs, and TNT
R822721C697 Fundamental and Kinetic Investigation of Sorbent Technology for Optimum Mercury Emission Control
R822721C700 Effects of Natural and Cyclic Variations on Contaminant Fate and Transport
R822721C703 Enhancement of DNAPL Dissolution Rates by Dechlorinating Anaerobes
R826694C620 Colloidal Fouling of Membranes: Implications in the Treatment of Textile Dye Wastes and Water Reuse
R826694C625 Enhanced Treatment of DNAPLs Contaminated Soils and Groundwater Using Biosurfactants: In-Situ Bioremediation
R826694C626 Catalytic Hydroprocessing of Chlorinated Wastes
R826694C627 The Interaction of Microbial Activity and Zero Valent Iron Permeable Barrier Technology
R826694C629 Biofiltration of BTEX in Petroleum-Contaminated Soil Remediation Off-Gas
R826694C630 Microbial Cometabolism of Recalcitrant Chemicals in Contaminated Air Streams
R826694C633 Catalyst Lifetime Studies for Chlorocarbon Steam Reforming
R826694C635 Electrokinetic/Surfactant-Enhanced Remediation of Hydrophobic Pollutants in Low Permeability Subsurface Environments
R826694C636 Transformation Reactions of Nitroaromatic and Nitrogen Heterocyclic Compounds on Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) Surfaces: Enhancement of GAC Adsorption in Natural and Engineered Environmental Systems
R826694C640 Environmentally Friendly Organic Synthesis in Supercritical Fluids
R826694C645 Development and Evaluation of an Integrated Model to Facilitate Risk-Based Corrective Action at Superfund Sites
R826694C651 Adjustable Biopolymer Chelators for Cadmium, Lead, and Mercury Remeidation
R826694C659 Subsurface Contamination Site characterization Via a Computer-Aided Visual Tool
R826694C661 New Insoluble supports for Protein Immobilization for Use in Metalloprotein Affinity Metal Chromatography
R826694C669 Solid Acid Catalyzed Alkylation in Supercritical Reaction Media
R826694C679 Regeneration and Reactivation of Carbon Adsorbents by Radio Frequency Induction Heating
R826694C696 Phytoremediation and Bioremediation of Land Contaminated By PAHs, PCBs, and TNT
R826694C697 Fundamental and Kinetic Investigation of Sorbent Technology for Optimum Mercury Emission Control
R826694C700 Effects of Natural Cyclic Variations on Contaminated Fate and Transport
R826694C703 Enhancement of DNAPL Dissolution Rates by Dechlorinating Anaerobes
R826694C705 A Pilot Plant for Producing Mixed Ketones from Waste Biomass
R826694C722 The Effects of an Oily-Phase on VOC Emissions from Industrial Wastewater
R826694C724 Mercury Removal from Stack Gas by Aqueous Scrubbing
R826694C725 Transport, Fate and Risk Implications of Environmentally Acceptable Endpoint Decisions
R826694C731 Development and Application of a Real-Time Optical Sensor for Atmospheric Formaldehyde
R826694C734 An Advanced System for Pollution Prevention in Chemical Complexes
R828598C001 Field Study Abstract: A Model of Ambient Air Pollution in Southeast Texas Using Artificial Neural Network Technology
R828598C002 Hollow Fiber Membrane Bioreactors for Treating Water and Air Streams Contaminated with Chlorinated Solvents
R828598C003 Fugitive Emissions of Hazardous Air Pollutants from On-Site Industrial Sewers
R828598C004 Biofiltration Technology Development
R828598C005 A Risk-Based Decision Analysis Approach for Aquifers Contaminated with DNAPLs
R828598C006 In-Situ Remediation for Contaminated Soils Using Prefabricated Vertical Drains
R828598C007 Membrane Technology Selection System for the Metal Finishing Industry
R828598C008 Sequential Environments for Enhanced Bioremediation of Chlorinated Aliphatic Hydrocarbons
R828598C009 Waste Minimization in the Magnetic Tape Industry: Waterborne Coating Formulations for Magnetic Tape Manufacture
R828598C010 Soil Remediation by Agglomeration with Petroleum Coke
R828598C011 Recovery of Dilute Phosphoric Acid in Waste Streams Using Waste Gas Ammonia: The Regenerative MAP/DAP Process
R828598C012 Stochastic Risk Assessment for Bioremediation
R828598C013 Selective Removal of Heavy Metals from Wastewater by Chelation in Supercritical Fluids
R828598C014 Optimization of Treatment Technologies for Detoxification of PCB Contaminated Soils
R828598C015 Wastewater Remediation by Catalytic Wet Oxidation
R828598C016 Permanence of Metals Containment in Solidified and Stabilized Wastes
R828598C017 Combustion Enhancement by Radial Jet Reattachment - Low Generation of Hazardous Gases and High Thermal Efficiency
R828598C018 A Process To Convert Industrial Biosludge and Paper Fines to Mixed Alcohol Fuels
R828598C019 Homogeneous Catalysis in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide
R828598C020 Ultrasonic Enhancement of the Removal of Heavy Metals
R828598C021 The Binding Chemistry and Leaching Mechanisms of Advanced Solidification/Stabilization Systems for Hazardous Waste Management
R828598C022 Development of an Air-Stripping and UV/H2O2 Oxidation Integrated Process To Treat a Chloro-Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Ground Water
R828598C023 A Comparative Study of Siting Opposition in Two Counties
R828598C024 Sonochemical Treatment of Hazardous Organic Compounds II: Process Optimization and Pathway Studies
R828598C025 Laser Diagnostics of the Combustion Process within a Rotary Kiln Incinerator
R828598C026 Use of Inorganic Ion Exchangers for Hazardous Waste Remediation
R828598C027 Kaolinite Sorbent for the Removal of Heavy Metals from Incinerated Lubricating Oils
R828598C028 Destruction of Chlorinated Hydrocarbons in Process Streams Using Catalytic Steam Reforming
R828598C029 Integrated Process Treatment Train (Bioremediation {Aerobic/Anaerobic} and Immobilization) for Texas Soils Contaminated with Combined Hazardous Wastes
R828598C030 Photo-Oxidation by H2O2/VisUV of Off-Gas Atmospheric Emissions from Industrial and Environmental Remediation Sources
R828598C031 Concentrated Halide Extraction and Recovery of Lead from Soil
R828598C032 Biodegradable Surfactant for Underground Chlorinated Solvent Remediation
R828598C033 A Software Guidance System for Choosing Analytical Subsurface Fate and Transport Models Including a Library of Computer Solutions for the Analytical Models
R828598C034 Hydrodynamic Modeling of Leachate Recirculating Landfill
R828598C035 Measurement of Oxygen Transfer Rate in Soil Matrices
R828598C036 Sorbent Technology for Multipollutant Control During Fluidized Bed Incineration
R828598C037 Pollution Prevention by Process Modification Using On-Line Optimization
R828598C038 Pollution Prevention by Process Modification
R828598C039 Water Solubility and Henry's Law Constant
R828598C040 Transferring Technical Information on Hazardous Substance Research by Publishing on the World Wide Web
R828598C041 Stress Protein Responses to Multiple Metal Exposure in Grass Shrimp
R828598C042 Life-Cycle Environmental Costing for Managing Pollution Prevention in the Chemical and Petroleum Refining Industries: A Cross-Border Approach
R828598C687 Improved Halogen Resistance of Catalytic Oxidation Through Efficient Catalyst Testing
R828598C696 Phytoremediation and Bioremediation of Land Contaminated By PAHs, PCBs, and TNT
R828598C697 Fundamental and Kinetic Investigation of Sorbent Technology for Optimum Mercury Emission Control
R828598C700 Effects of Natural Cyclic Variations on Contaminated Fate and Transport
R828598C703 Enhancement of DNAPL Dissolution Rates by Dechlorinating Anaerobes
R828598C705 A Pilot Plant for Producing Mixed Ketones from Waste Biomass
R828598C722 The Effects of an Oily-Phase on VOC Emissions from Industrial Wastewater
R828598C724 Mercury Removal from Stack Gas by Aqueous Scrubbing
R828598C725 Transport, Fate and Risk Implications of Environmentally Acceptable Endpoint Decisions
R828598C731 Development and Application of a Real Time Optical Sensor for Atmospheric Formaldehyde
R828598C734 An Advanced System for Pollution Prevention in Chemical Complexes
R828598C743 Field Demonstration of Ultrasound Enhancement of Permeable Treatment Walls
R828598C744 Optical Fibers Coated With Titania Membrane/UV-Generating Crystal in a Distributed-Light Photoreactor for VOC Oxidation
R828598C749 Characterization and Modeling of Indoor Particulate Contaminants In a Heavily Industrialized Community
R828598C753 Adsolubilization and Photocatalysis in a Semiconducting Monolithic Reactor for Wastewater Treatment
R828598C754 Remote Detection of Gas Emissions in Industrial Processes
R828598C759 Searching for Optimum Composition of Phosphogypsum: Fly ash: Cement Composites for Oyster Culch Materials
R828598C761 Development of a Phytologically-Based Biosorptive Water Treatment Process
R828598C766 Chlorinated Solvent Impact and Remediation Strategies for the Dry Cleaning Industry
R828598C769 Soil/Sediment Remediation by Hot Water Extraction Combined with In-Situ Wet Oxidation
R828598C771 Fluoracrylate Polymer Supported Ligands as Catalysts for Environmentally Benign Synthesis in Supercritical Fluids
R828598C774 The Feasibility of Electrophoretic Repair of Impoundment Leaks
R828598C777 Surfactant Enhanced Photo-oxidation of Wastewaters
R828598C778 Stationary Power Generation Via Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: A Response to Pollution and Global Warming
R828598C786 Photocatalytic Recovery of Sulfur and Hydrogen From Hydrogen Sulfide
R828598C787 Biosurfactant Produced from Used Vegetable Oil for removal of Metals From Wastewaters and Soils
R828598C789 Genetic Engineering of Enzymatic Cyanide Clearance
R828598C791 Characterizing the Intrinsic Remediation of MTBE at Field Sites
R828598C799 Simultaneous Water Conservation/Recycling/Reuse and Waste Reduction in Semiconductor Manufacturing
R828598C801 Building Defined Mixed Cultures To Biodegrade Diverse Mixtures Of Chlorinated Solvents
R828598C802 Engineering of Nanocrystal Based Catalytic Materials for Hydroprocessing of Halogenated Organics
R828598C807 Commercial Demonstration of Hydrogen Peroxide Injection to Control NOx Emissions from Combustion Sources
R828598C809 Evaluating Source Grouting and ORC for Remediating MTBE Sites
R828598C810 Application of Total Cost Assessment To Process Design In the Chemical Industry
R828598C846 Quantitative Demonstration of Source-Zone Bioremediation in A Field-Scale Experimental Controlled Release System