Bioremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) at the watervliet arsenal

摘要

A laboratory biotreatability study was conducted to evaluate potential for aerobic and anoxic (denitrifying conditions) bioremediation of PAHs and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in soils from the Siberia Area of Wateriliet Arsenal, Watervliet, NY. The Study was designed to simulate in situ landfarming techniques and provide realistic assessment of contaminant degradation during bioremediation efforts. After one month of incubation, PAH levels in aerobic, nutrient-amended samples showed greater than 40 percent decline, while levels in aerobic samples without nutrients well approximately 22 percent PAH concentrations in flooded (anoxic) samples and killed controls showed a marginal increase during this time compared to initial analysis. After four months of incubation, PAHs and TPH in aerobic tanks with nutrients and the tank receiving only water had both decline dapproximately 70 percent. PAH and TPH concentrations in anoxic samples also declined during this time; but losses were less than aerobic samples. Microbial plate counts showed high levels of PAH and hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria in aerobic soil samples. Data suggests that biodegradation caused marked declines in PAH levels in aerobic samples but not in soil incubated under anoxic, denitrifying conditions. Data indicates that mixing and aeration of soils are more important than nutrient addition in stimulating hydrocarbon biodegradation in the Siberia Area.