Laboratory and field scale studies were conducted to investigate the feasibility of using hydrogen peroxide as a supplemental source of oxygen for bioremediation of an aviation gasoline fuel spill. Field samples of aviation gasoline contaminated aquifer material were artificially enhanced with nutrients to promote microbiological degradation of fuel carbon in a laboratory column experiment. The rapid rate of hydrogen peroxide decomposition at 100 mg/l resulted in the production of oxygen gas. An oxygen mass balance indicated that approximately 44% and 45% of the influent oxygen was recovered in aqueous and gaseous phases respectively. Reduced rates of oxygen consumption during this period indicated that microbial inhibition may have occurred. Ground-water data from the enhanced in-situ bioremediation pilot field study indicates that hydrogen peroxide successfully increased the concentration of available oxygen downgradient. In the study, however, it was observed that there was a measurable increase of oxygen in the soil gas area where hydrogen peroxide was injected. This indicated that a significant fraction of hydrogen peroxide rapidly decomposed to oxygen gas and escaped into the unsaturated zone.

Shipping list no.: 90-219-P. "February 1990." Includes bibliographical references (p. 32-35). "EPA/600/2-90/006."