Abstract
ABSTRACTBioventing is a cutting edge, nondestructive treatment method that uses indigenous soil microorganisms in situ to remediate petroleum hydrocarbons in the unsaturated soil zone. Transferring the application of this technology to a field environment still has some uncertainties due to scale-up challenges. In order to identify the scale-up factor, a 80-kg soil reactor system was developed, consisting of a custom-made reactor, climate chamber, low-flow venting system, and an off-gas capture device. Sandy and clayey soils were tested with known concentrations of spiked synthetic gasoline. Various environmental conditions were monitored, which included moisture levels, pH, microbial levels, and nutrient and oxygen levels. Results show a second-stage degradation rate similar to the degradation rate obtained from research conducted with a 4-kg reactor, giving an average scale-up factor of 2.3 ± 0.4. The completed research shows that working with a 80-kg laboratory reactor is feasible, yet not always necessary for the development of scale-up factors. A complimentary study with aged soil contaminants was performed and yielded degradation rates that were significantly reduced.
Highlights
Soil contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons is an environmental issue that poses a threat to human health
In Canada, under the Federally Contaminated Site Action Plan (FCSAP), there are over 5,800 active contaminated sites pending action and over 2,500 suspected contaminated sites that have yet to undergo further assessment (TBCS, 2015). Half of these sites are contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons (TBCS, 2015)
Site remediation is expensive and government agencies are always looking for cost effective, yet environmentally responsible methods to clean up these sites
Summary
Soil contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons is an environmental issue that poses a threat to human health. In Canada, under the Federally Contaminated Site Action Plan (FCSAP), there are over 5,800 active contaminated sites pending action and over 2,500 suspected contaminated sites that have yet to undergo further assessment (TBCS, 2015). Half of these sites are contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons (TBCS, 2015). FCSAP is a 15-year, $3.5 billion dollar program that was established in 2005 by the Government of Canada to reduce environmental and human health risks from known federally contaminated sites (Government of Canada, 2014). Site remediation is expensive and government agencies are always looking for cost effective, yet environmentally responsible methods to clean up these sites
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