Abstract
A method is presented to quantify the mineralization of contaminants in a polluted aquifer by alkalinity, inorganic carbon and stable carbon isotope balances. This method is applied to a diesel fuel contaminated aquifer which is biorestored by infiltration of oxidants and nutrients using a groundwater recirculation system. The application of the quantification method at this field site shows that the observed inorganic carbon production within the biologically active zone is larger than the corresponding calculated inorganic carbon production based on the consumption of electron acceptors (02, NO J, SO2.-), production of reduced species (Mn2+, Fe2+, H2S, CH4) and dissolution of carbonates. Stable carbon isotope measurements suggest that the additional inorganic carbon mainly originates from a source with a isotopic composition corresponding to hydrocarbons in mineral oil.
Published Version
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