IMPACT OF BIO AVAILABILITY, BIODEGRAD ABILITY AND TOXICITY ON BIORESTORATION OF PAH CONTAMINATED MARINE/ESTUARINE SEDIMENTS

摘要

This research evaluates: (1) the bioavailability of PAHs through the fundamental studies characterizing the extent of adsorption and desorption from initially uncontaminated sediments and through studies determining the extent and rate of desorption of PAHs from aged contaminated sediments, (2) the biodegradability of PAHs in sediments under aerobic and anoxic/anaerobic conditions using serum bottle reactor systems, (3) the toxicity of the untreated and biotreated sediments to the aquatic ecosystem and benthic organisms, and (4) the development of a multi-level protocol for bioremediation of PAHs in sediment.