Rates of solubilization and biodegradation of PAH compounds in porous media. [Quarterly report

Abstract

Microbial degradation of hydrophobic organic compounds in soils and aquifer media is dependent on rates of desorption of these compounds from solids and rates of solubilization from residual nonaqueous phase liquids (NAPLs). The couples processes involving microbial degradation and hydrophobic compound availability are not well understood. The proposed research effort explores certain physicochemical phenomena that may have a significant affect on the rate of microbial degradation of hydrophobic organic compounds in porous media. The investigation will examine rates of biomineralization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds that are leached from a residual saturation of coal tar. Batch and continuously-stirred reactor studies will be used to measure solute equilibrium concentrations and rates of solubilization of PAH compounds from coal tar imbided into microporous silica media. These rates will be compared with rates of mineralization of {sup 14}C-labeled compounds in similar systems inoculated with a culture of PAH degrading microorganisms. Column experiments will also be conducted to assess the rates of solubilization and mass transfer coefficients from coal tar entrapped in a sandy aquifer material by capillary forces.