Monitored natural attenuation (MNA) as a cost effective sustainable remediation technology for petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated sites: Demonstration of scientific evidence

摘要

Recently, monitored natural attenuation (MNA) is recognized as a cost effective and sustainable remediation technology alternative to other engineered technologies for hydrocarbon contaminated sites. However, MNA to be accepted as an appropriate remedy for a contaminated site by the regulators requires demonstration of scientific evidence. This study has evaluated the feasibility of MNA for petroleum hydrocarbons in a long term (>40 years old) contaminated site (soil and groundwater) using a combination of contamination monitoring, biogeochemical indicators, modeling, compound specific stable carbon isotope analysis and molecular microbial techniques. Results demonstrate convincing scientific evidence for natural attenuation of petroleum hydrocarbons by biodegradation rather than dilution or dispersion at this site. Further, this study demonstrates MNA as a defensible remediation technology for petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated sites besides offering suitable methods for evaluation of MNA.