Laboratory Studies on Biodegradation of Organics in the South Tank Farm Plume(STFP) Aquifer, Soil and Microbiological Analyses of STFP Aquifer Core Samples

摘要

Soil and microbial analyses were made on samples of aquifer material taken fromborings within the organics plume of the South Tank Farm area (STFP). These soils (pH 7.4-8.3) were classified as barns, silty clays, or clayey types and contained low levels of organic carbon (<0.1 or O.2%) and varying concentrations (3-120 ppm) of available nutrients (Fe, NH 4-N, PC 4-P). Enumeration of culturable micro-organisms associated with this aquifer material indicated that aerobic and facultatively anaerobic bacteria were present (1O'/1O g wet soil) at all depths (19-25 ft) sampled. Anaerobic bacteria (denitrifiers, sulfate-reducers, and methanogens) could not be cultured from any sample. These basic soil data indicate that significant numbers of bacteria and levels of nutrients (NH4+, PO4+) are present in the STFP groundwatar to enhance the aerobic biodegradation of organic compounds in the aquifer.