Bioremediating PAHs and TPH at the watervliet arsenal

摘要

Bench-scale laboratory treatability studies on contaminated soils were initiated to (1) provide evidence of biodegradation of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and (2) assess the potential for PAH degradation under either aerobic and/or anaerobic conditions with and without the addition of nitrate as an electron acceptor. The studies consisted of a 9-week microcosm experiment using ~14C-phenanthrene, a 9-month aerobic soil column study, and a series of toxicity bioassay analyses. Bacterial isolation, bioslurry, and pan studies are currently underway. PAH-mineralizing bacteria were found to be present and active, resulting in a PAH reduction of 40-58