Upscaling of biostabilization of multicomponent DNAPLs in the subsurface

摘要

A study is in progress to understand key factors that control the bioavailability and biostabilization of high molecular weight organic contaminants (PAHs and PCBs) sequestered within multi-component DNAPLs entrapped in heterogeneous soil systems. The main hypothesis being tested is that slow dissolution of contaminants released from DNAPL pools entrapped in the subsurface, when combined with low-level microbial activity in the vicinity of the DNAPL source region, can result in stabilization of contamination with diminished plume formation and associated risk reduction.