Bioremediation using composting or anaerobic treatment for ordnance-contaminated soils.

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the pilot-scale testing of these technologies conducted from December 1994 through March 1995 at the Bangor Naval Submarine Base (Silverdale, Washington). Goals of the pilot study were to provide cost and design information for the implementation of the full-scale remediation scheduled for mid-1996. Both aerobic composting and the Simplot Anaerobic Bioremediation (SABRE) process were evaluated for soils contaminated with 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene and other ordnance compounds. Cleanup goals of 33.3 mg/kg (soil D) and 33.0 mg/kg (soil F) were established for TNT. A goal of 9.1 mg/kg was additionally determined for RDX. For soil F, TNT cleanup goals were achieved within 9 days for composting (637 mg/kg to 3 mg/kg) and 40 days for anaerobic treatment (488 mg/kg to 0.7 mg/kg). For soil D, TNT goals were not statistically achieved using composting (147 mg/kg to 41 mg/kg) or anaerobic treatment (725 mg/kg to 77 mg/kg) during the treatment period. The nature of contamination in soil D (burn disposal of ordnance) may have influenced the treatment performance of both processes.