Natural Bioattenuation Research Articles

Ecological indicators and biological resources for hydrocarbon rhizoremediation in a protected area.

Spillage from oil refineries, pipelines, and service stations consistently leads to soil, food and groundwater contamination. Bacterial-assisted phytoremediation is a non-invasive and sustainable solution to eliminate or decrease the concentration of xenobiotic contaminants in the environment. In the present study, a protected area interested by a fuel discharge was considered to assess a bioremediation intervention. From the spill point, a plume of contamination flowed South-West into the aquifer, eventually reaching a wetland area. Soils, groundwaters and plants belonging to the species Scirpus sylvaticus (L.) were sampled. In the majority of the soil samples, concentrations of total petroleum hydrocarbons, both C ≤ 12 and C > 12, exceeded legal limits set forth in Directive 2000/60/EC. The analysis of diatom populations, used as ecological indicators, evidenced morphology alterations and the presence of Ulnaria ulna and Ulnaria biceps species, previously detected in hydrocarbon-polluted waters. Tests for phytotoxicity and phytodegradation, carried out in soil mesocosms, planted with Zea mays and Helianthus annuus, demonstrated that both species significantly contributed to the removal of total petroleum hydrocarbons. Removal of C ≤ 12 and C > 12 petroleum hydrocarbons was in the range of 80%-82% for Z. mays and 71%-72% for H. annuus. Microbial communities inhabiting high organic carbon and vegetated soils were more active in hydrocarbon degradation than those inhabiting subsoils, as evidenced by soil slurry experiments. The abundance of functional genes encoding toluene-benzene monooxygenase (tbmD) and alkane hydroxylase (alkB), quantified in environmental samples, confirmed that the plant rhizosphere recruited a microbial community with higher biodegradation capacity. Bacterial strains isolated from the sampling site were able to grow on model hydrocarbons (hexane, hexadecane and o-, m-, p-xylene) as sole carbon and energy sources, indicating that a natural bio-attenuation process was on-going at the site. The bacterial strains isolated from rhizosphere soil, rhizoplane and endosphere showed plant growth promoting traits according to in vitro and in vivo tests on Z. mays and Oryza sativa, allowing to forecast a possible application of bacterial assisted rhizoremediation to recover the protected area.

Soil microbial communities-mediated bioattenuation in simulated aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) condition: Long-term study

This study evaluated the long-term organic removal performance and microbial community shift in simulated aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) conditions. For this purpose, anoxic soil box systems were operated at 15 °C for one year. The results showed that the assimilable organic carbon (AOC) concentration in the anoxic soil box systems was successfully decreased by 79.1%. The dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration increased during the initial operational periods; however, it subsequently decreased during long-term operation. Readily biodegradable organic fractions (i.e., low-molecular weight (LMW) neutrals and LMW acids) decreased along with time elapsed, whereas non-biodegradable fraction (i.e., humic substances) increased. Proteobacteria and Acidobacteriota were predominant in the anoxic box systems throughout the operational periods. Firmicutes and Bacteroidota suddenly increased during the initial operational period while Gemmatimonadota slightly increased during prolonged long-term operation. Interestingly, the microbial community structures were significantly shifted with respect to the operational periods while the effects of AOC/NO3− addition were negligible. Various bacterial species preferring low temperature or anoxic conditions were detected as predominant bacteria. Some denitrifying (i.e., Noviherbaspirillum denitrificans) and iron reducing bacteria (i.e., Geobacter spp.) appeared during the long-term operation; these bacterial communities also acted as organic degraders in the simulated ASR systems. The findings of this study suggest that the application of natural bioattenuation using indigenous soil microbial communities can be a promising option as an organic carbon management strategy in ASR systems.

Bioremediation of Atrazine Herbicide Contaminated Soil Using Different Bioremediation Strategies

This study evaluated the bioremediation of atrazine herbicide contaminated agricultural soil under different bioremediation strategies using indigenous Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis and Aspergillus niger as bioaugmentation agents and poultry droppings as biostimulation agent. The results showed that bioaugmentation with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, bioaugmentation with Bacillus subtilis, bioaugmentation with Aspergillus niger, bioaugmentation with bacterial-fungal consortium (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis and Aspergillus niger) , biostimulation with poultry droppings, and combined biougmentation and biostimulation (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Aspergillus niger and poultry droppings) resulted in maximum atrazine biodegradation of about 97%, 95%, 84%, 99%, 100% and 100%, respectively. The kinetics of atrazine biodegradation in the soil were modelled using first-order kinetic model and the biodegradation half-life estimated. The first order kinetic model adequately described the kinetics of atrazine biodegradation in soil under the different bioremediation strategies. The rate constants ( k1 ) of atrazine biodegradation in soil subjected to bioaugmentations with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Aspergillus niger, and bacterial-fungal consortium ranges between 0.059 day-1 and 0.191 day-1 while for that subjected to natural bioattenuation, biostimulation and combined bioaugmentation and biostimulation are 0.026 day-1, 0.164 day- 1 and 0.279 day-1, respectively. The half-life ( 2 t1/ ) of atrazine biodegradation in soil under natural bioattenuation was obtained to be 26.7 days. This was reduced to between 2.5 and 11.7 days under the application of bioaugmentation, biostimulation and combined bioaugmentation and biostimulation strategies. The bioremediation efficiencies of the different bioremediation strategies in influencing atrazine biodegradation or removal is of the following order: Combined bioaugmentation and biostimulation > Bioaugmentation with bacterial-fungal consortium > Biostimulation with poultry droppings > Bioaugmentation with Pseudomonas aeruginosa > Bioaugmentation with Bacillus subtilis > Bioaugmentation with Aspergillus niger > Natural bioattenuation. Keywords : Atrazine; Bioaugmentation; Bioremediation; Biostimulation

Growth of Dehalococcoides mccartyi species in an autotrophic consortium producing limited acetate.

The dechlorinating Dehalococcoides mccartyi species requires acetate as carbon source, but little is known on its growth under acetate limiting conditions. In this study, we observed growth and dechlorination of a D. mccartyi-containing mixed consortium in a fixed-carbon-free medium with trichloroethene in the aqueous phase and H2/CO2 in the headspace. Around 4mM formate was produced by day 40, while acetate was constantly below 0.05mM. Microbial community analysis of the consortium revealed dominance by D. mccartyi and Desulfovibrio sp. (57 and 22% 16S rRNA gene copies, respectively). From this consortium, Desulfovibrio sp. strain F1 was isolated and found to produce formate and acetate (1.2mM and 48µM, respectively, by day 24) when cultivated alone in the above mentioned medium without trichloroethene. An established co-culture of strain F1 and D. mccartyi strain 195 demonstrated that strain 195 could grow and dechlorinate using acetate produced by strain F1; and that acetate was constantly below 25µM in the co-culture. To verify that such low level of acetate is utilizable by D. mccartyi, we cultivated strain 195 alone under acetate-limiting conditions and found that strain 195 consumed acetate to below detection (5µM). Based on the acetate consumption and cell yield of D. mccartyi, we estimated that on average 1.2 × 108 acetate molecules are needed to supply carbon for one D. mccartyi cell. Our study suggests that Desulfovibrio may supply a steady but low amount of fixed carbon to dechlorinating bacteria, exhibiting important implications for natural bio-attenuation when fixed carbon is limited.

Statistical optimization and kinetic studies of enhanced bioremediation of crude oil - contaminated marine water using combined adsorption-biostimulation strategy

The objectives of this study were to investigate and evaluate through Taguchi orthogonal experimental design the effects of amendment agents as well as the optimization and kinetics of enhanced bioremediation of crude oil-contaminated marine water using combined adsorption-biostimulation strategy. The amendment agents are organic fertilizer, slow release inorganic NPK fertilizer, commercial activated carbon and Tween 80. Bioremediation of weathered Escravos crude oil (WECO)-contaminated marine water was studied for four weeks in ten plastic buckets open system. The oil-contaminated marine water in nine of the buckets was each amended with the amendment agents according to Taguchi’s (L9) orthogonal array of four factors and three levels and the tenth un-amended bucket served as control (natural bioattenuation). Results showed that the amendment agents had relative significant influence on the enhancement of WECO-marine water bioremediation. The optimum amendment agent conditions were determined as follows: organic fertilizer 30 g, inorganic slow release NPK fertilizer 4 g, activated carbon 30 g, and Tween 80, 1.5 g. Under these optimum conditions, the optimum percentage of crude oil biodegradation achieved was 98.25%. Bioremediation kinetic data of WECO fitted well to the first-order kinetic model. The combined adsorptionbiostimulation strategy (using the amendment agents) resulted in higher biodegradation rate constant, k (0.0443 - 0.1183 day -1 ) and lower biodegradation half-life, t 1/2 (5.86 – 15.6 days) of the WECO biodegradation than the natural bioattenuation with lower k (0.0144 day -1 ) and higher t 1/2 (48.8 days). Therefore, the amendment agents have effective potential application as a tool for combined adsorption-biostimulation strategy in the remediation of crude oilcontaminated aquatic environment. Keywords: Biodegradation; Bioremediation; Amendment agents; Crude oil; Kinetics; Optimization

Distribution of PAHs and the PAH-degrading bacteria in the deep-sea sediments of the high-latitude Arctic Ocean

Abstract. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are common organic pollutants that can be transferred long distances and tend to accumulate in marine sediments. However, less is known regarding the distribution of PAHs and their natural bioattenuation in the open sea, especially the Arctic Ocean. In this report, sediment samples were collected at four sites from the Chukchi Plateau to the Makarov Basin in the summer of 2010. PAH compositions and total concentrations were examined with GC-MS. The concentrations of 16 EPA-priority PAHs varied from 2.0 to 41.6 ng g−1 dry weight and decreased with sediment depth and movement from the southern to the northern sites. Among the targeted PAHs, phenanthrene was relatively abundant in all sediments. The 16S rRNA gene of the total environmental DNA was analyzed with Illumina high-throughput sequencing (IHTS) to determine the diversity of bacteria involved in PAH degradation in situ. The potential degraders including Cycloclasticus, Pseudomonas, Halomonas, Pseudoalteromonas, Marinomonas, Bacillus, Dietzia, Colwellia, Acinetobacter, Alcanivorax, Salinisphaera and Shewanella, with Dietzia as the most abundant, occurred in all sediment samples. Meanwhile, enrichment with PAHs was initiated onboard and transferred to the laboratory for further enrichment and to obtain the degrading consortia. Most of the abovementioned bacteria in addition to Hahella, Oleispira, Oceanobacter and Hyphomonas occurred alternately as predominant members in the enrichment cultures from different sediments based on IHTS and PCR-DGGE analysis. To reconfirm their role in PAH degradation, 40 different bacteria were isolated and characterized, among which Cycloclasticus Pseudomonas showed the best degradation capability under low temperatures. Taken together, PAHs and PAH-degrading bacteria were widespread in the deep-sea sediments of the Arctic Ocean. We propose that bacteria of Cycloclasticus, Pseudomonas, Pseudoalteromonas, Halomonas, Marinomonas and Dietzia may play the most important role in PAH mineralization in situ.

BIODEGRADATION OF DIESEL OIL IN SOIL AND ITS ENHANCEMENT BY APPLICATION OF BIOVENTING AND AMENDMENT WITH BREWERY WASTE EFFLUENTS AS BIOSTIMULATION-BIOAUGMENTATION AGENTS

The purpose of this study is to investigate and evaluate the effects of natural bioattenuation, bioventing, and brewery waste effluents amendment as biostimulation-bioaugmentation agent on biodegradation of diesel oil in unsaturated soil. A microcosm system was constructed consisting of five plastic buckets containing 1 kg of soil, artificially contaminated or spiked with 10% w/w of diesel oil. Biodegradation was monitored over 28 days by determining the total petroleum hydrocarbon content of the soil and total hydrocarbon degrading bacteria. The results showed that combination of brewery waste effluents amendment and bioventing technique was the most effective, reaching up to 91.5% of diesel removal from contaminated soil; with the brewery waste effluents amendment (biostimulation-bioaugmentation), the percentage of diesel oil removal was 78.7%; with bioventing, diesel oil percentage degradation was 61.7% and the natural bioattenuation technique resulted in diesel oil removal percentage be not higher than 40%. Also, the total hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria (THDB) count in all the treatments increased throughout the remediation period. The highest bacterial growth was observed for combined brewery waste effluents amendment with bioventing treatment strategy. A firstorder kinetic model was fitted to the biodegradation data to evaluate the biodegradation rate and the corresponding half-life time was estimated. The model revealed that diesel oil contaminated-soil microcosms under combined brewery waste effluents amendment with bioventing treatment strategy had higher biodegradation rate constants, k as well as lower half-life times, t1/2 than other remediation systems. This study showed that the microbial consortium, organic solids, nitrogen and phosphorus present in the brewery waste effluents proved to be efficient as potential biostimulation-bioaugmentation agents for bioremediation processes of soils contaminated with diesel oil.

Biodegradation of 2,6-Dichlorophenol Wastewater in Soil Column Reactor in the Presence of Pineapple Peels-Derived Activated Carbon, Palm Kernel Oil and Inorganic Fertilizer

In this study, the potential effects of palm kernel oil (PKO), pineapple peels derived-activated carbon (PPAC) and NPK fertilizer (20:10:10) as amendment agents on the natural bioattenuation of 2,6-dichlorophenol (2,6-DCP) in tropical agricultural soil were investigated. The effect of PPAC dosage on 2,6-DCP biodegradation was also studied. Column reactors containing soil were spiked with 2,6-dichlorophenol (2,6-DCP) wastewater (300 mg/l) and amended with PKO, NPK fertilizer and PPAC alone or in combinations. The rates of 2,6-DCP biodegradation were studied for a remediation period of 42 days under laboratory conditions. The results showed that there was a positive relationship between the rate of 2,6-DCP biodegradation, bacterial growth rate and presence of NPK fertilizer and PPAC (alone or in combination) in soil column microcosms contaminated with 2,6-DCP. The 2,6-DCP biodegradation data fitted well to the first-order kinetic model. The model revealed that 2,6-DCP contaminated-soil microcosms amended with NPK fertilizer and PPAC (alone or in combination) had higher biodegradation rate constants (k) as well as lower half-life times (t1/2) than soil column microcosms amended with PKO and unamended soil (natural attenuation) remediation system. Thus, the use of combined NPK fertilizer and activated carbon (NPK + PPAC) to enhance 2,6-DCP degradation in the soil could be one of the severally sought bioremediation strategies of remediating natural ecosystem (environment) contaminated with organic chemicals.

A Biomimetic Approach to the Chemical Inactivation of Chrysotile Fibres by Lichen Metabolites

Some lichens were recently reported to modify the surface state of asbestos. Here we report some new insight on the physico-chemical modifications induced by natural chelators (lichen metabolites) on two asbestos samples collected in two different locations. A biomimetic approach was followed by reproducing in the laboratory the weathering effect of lichen metabolites. Norstictic, pulvinic and oxalic acid (0.005, 0.5 and 50 mM) were put in contact with chrysotile fibres, either in pure form (A) or intergrown with balangeroite, an iron-rich asbestiform phase (B). Mg and Si removal, measured by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), reveals an incongruent dissolution for pure chrysotile (A), with Mg removal always exceeding that of Si, while chrysotile-balangeroite (B) follows a congruent dissolution pattern in all cases except in the presence of 50 mM oxalic acid. A much larger removal of Mg than Si in the solutions of 0.5 and 50 mM oxalic acid with chrysotile (A) suggests a structural collapse, which in the case of chrysotile-balangeroite (B) only occurs with 50 mM oxalic acid; in these cases both samples are converted into amorphous silica (as detected by X-ray diffraction (XRD)). Subsequent to incubation, some new phases (Fe(2)O(3), CaMg(CO(3))(2), Ca(C(2)O(4)) x H(2)O and Mg(C(2)O(4))2 x H(2)O), similar to those observed in the field, were detected by XRD and micro-Raman spectroscopy. The leaching effect of lichen metabolites also modifies the Fenton activity, a process widely correlated with asbestos pathogenicity: pure chrysotile (A) activity is reduced by 50 mM oxalic acid, while all lichen metabolites reduce the activity of chrysotile-balangeroite (B). The selective removal of poorly coordinated, highly reactive iron ions, evidenced by NO adsorption, accounts for the loss in Fenton activity. Such fibres were chemically close to the ones observed in the field. Chrysotile-rich rocks, colonised by lichens, could be exposed to a natural bioattenuation and considered as a transient environmental hazard.

An assessment of natural biotransformation of petroleum hydrocarbons and chlorinated solvents at an aquifer plume transect

Field biogeochemical characterization and laboratory microcosm studies were performed to assess the potential for future biotransformation of trichloroethylene (TCE) and toluene in a plume containing petroleum hydrocarbons and chlorinated solvents at the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda, MI. In situ terminal electron accepting processes (TEAPs), contaminant composition and microbial phylogeny were studied at a plume transect 100 m downgradient of the source. The presence of reduced electron acceptors, relevant microbial communities, and elevated dissolved methane and carbon dioxide concentrations at the transect, as well as downgradient accumulation of BTEX metabolites and dechlorination products, indicated that past or current reductive dechlorination at the transect was likely driven by BTEX biodegradation in the methanogenic zone. However, TCE and toluene mineralization in sediment–groundwater microcosms without added electron acceptors did not exceed 5% during 300 days of incubation and was nearly invariant with original sediment TEAP, even following amendments of nitrogen and phosphorus. Mineralization rates were on the order of 0.0015–0.03 μmol/g day. After 8 months, microcosms showed evidence of methanogenesis, but CH 4 and CO 2 production arose from the degradation of contaminants other than toluene. Cis-dichloroethylene was observed in only one methanogenic microcosm after more than 500 days. It appears likely that spatially and temporally dynamic redox zonation at the plume transect will prevent future sustained reductive dehalogenation of highly chlorinated solvents, for during the course of a year, the predominant TEAP at the highly contaminated water table shifted from methanogenesis to iron- and sulfate-reduction. It is recommended that biotransformation studies combine considerations of long-term, spatially relevant changes in redox zonation with laboratory-scale studies of electron donor utilization and cometabolic substrate transformation to yield a more accurate assessment of natural bioattenuation of specific pollutants in aquifers contaminated by undefined organic waste mixtures.

The Role of Dissolved Silica on the Biodegradation of Octylamine

Dissolution of aquifer-associated mineral solids such as silica may affect the natural bioattenuation of organic compounds by altering their chemical speciation and thus their biodegradability. A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dissolved silica on the rates of biodegradation of a cationic surfactant, octylamine, by Rhodococcus erythropolis. The presence of dissolved silica or a surrogate added by dissolving sodium metasilicate significantly enhanced the biodegradation rates of octylamine. Microbial kinetic studies based on the Monod/Haldane equation indicated that the rate enhancement was caused by a decrease in the inhibitory properties of octylamine, rather than by an improvement in buffering of the medium. In the presence of dissolved silica, μ max and K s remain virtually unaffected, but the inhibition constant, K i , increased several orders of magnitude (from K i = 1.32 mM in the silica-free system to K i > 10 6 mM in the silica system). Surface tension studies suggested that the presence of dissolved silica significantly decreased the surface-activity of octylamine.

The effect of tetrachloroethene on biological dechlorination of vinyl chloride: potential implication for natural bioattenuation

Whereas reductive dechlorination of tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichloroethene to ethene (ETH) has been demonstrated, some laboratory and field studies indicate that partial dechlorination is often observed. Because partial dechlorination may produce compounds of equal or greater toxicity than starting compounds, it is important to identify factors that are responsible for complete dechlorination. A comparative study was completed to examine ethene production from a PCE-fed culture and a vinyl chloride (VC)-fed culture. Physiochemical conditions, nutrients and the electron donor (methanol) were identical for both cultures. PCE-fed cultures were able to sustain an ETH production rate of about 0.1 μmol d −1, whereas ETH production by a VC-fed culture declined to about 0.02 μmol d −1 over 115 d. PCE additions to the VC-fed culture improved ETH production. Results suggest that VC dechlorination to ETH may not be sustainable in the absence of a higher chlorinated ethene. This could mean that for sites capable of partial reductive dechlorination (via natural bioattenuation or stimulated bioattenuation), differential retardation of higher chlorinated ethenes may result in a contaminant plume with VC at the leading edge. In such cases, the degree of VC dechlorination under anaerobic conditions may decline with time.

Laboratory evaluation of temporal trends in biogeochemical conditions at a groundwater-surface water interface

The biogeochemical effects of a large surface water on a chloroethene contaminated anaerobic groundwater at the groundwater / surface water interface (GSI) were evaluated using spatially discretized multilevel arrays, and statistically interpreted in light of natural bioattenuation mechanisms. Groundwater samples, collected during a five-month evaluation period with increasing storm activity, were evaluated to determine the effect of lake activity on the oxidation capacity and contaminant distribution within the plume. Our analyses indicate that concentrations of methane and chloroethene (VC) decreased as the groundwater became increasingly oxidized along the GSI in shallow sample points impacted by infiltration of oxygenated lake water. cis-1,2-Dichloroethene (DCE) remained unchanged or increased at the same locations indicating that the decrease in methane and chloroethene was not due to dilution effects from lake water infiltration. Moreover, negative correlation of chloroethene and methane data with oxygen suggest that chloroethene is co-oxidized by methane-oxidizing bacteria in the shallow zone of the plume. Laboratory microcosm experiments using methane-oxidizing enrichment derived from GSI solids confirmed that chloroethene and ethene were co-oxidized, while cis-DCE was not. Based on the co-oxidation rates obtained from these model systems, methanotrophs contributed approximately 1% to the degradation of the chloroethene flux observed at the GSI.

Temporal and Spatial Trends in Biogeochemical Conditions at a Groundwater−Surface Water Interface: Implications for Natural Bioattenuation

The biogeochemical effects of a large surface water on a contaminated anaerobic groundwater at the groundwater−surface water interface (GSI) were evaluated using spatially discretized multilevel arrays and interpreted in light of natural bioattenuation mechanisms. Groundwater samples, collected during a 5-month evaluation period with increasing storm activity, were evaluated to determine the effect of lake activity on the oxidation capacity and contaminant distribution within the plume. Our analyses indicate that concentrations of methane and chloroethene decreased as the groundwater became increasingly oxidized along the GSI in shallow sample points impacted by infiltration of oxygenated lake water. cis-1,2-Dichloroethene remained unchanged or slightly increased at the same locations, indicating that the decrease in methane and chloroethene was not due to dilution effects. Moreover, negative correlation of chloroethene and methane data with oxygen suggest that chloroethene is co-oxidized by methane-oxidizing bacteria in the shallow zone of the plume. Contrary to oxidative processes in the shallow zone, reductive dechlorination of contaminants remained the predominant bio-transformation process in the deep zones of the GSI with chloroethene and ethene being the major contributors to total contaminant concentration. This study is the first to evaluate the effects of seasonal changes on a chlorinated ethene-contaminated plume at the GSI in spatial and temporal detail.

Estimating the Rate of Natural Bioattenuation of Ground Water Contaminants by a Mass Conservation Approach

Recent field and experimental research has shown that certain classes of subsurface contaminants can biodegrade at many sites (e.g., Borden. etal. 95, Lovely. etal. 94). A number of factors influence the rate of biodegradation, which helps determine the ultimate extent of contamination. Estimation of degradation rate constants is necessary for determining the impact of contaminants on environmental receptors. The purpose of this note is to show one method for estimating rate constants from field data that relies upon application of a standard solution of a linear ordinary differential equation (ODE).

Mathematical Modeling of BTX: Biotransformation and Transport in the Subsurface

A two-dimensional compositional model is presented; this model describes the transport and biotransformation of organic contaminants in a variably saturated subsurface environment. Modeled processes included mass exchange between constituent phases (water, air, soil, and organisms), advective and dispersive fluxes in the water phase, diffusive flux in the air phase, and biotransformation and biomass production in the biophase. In this model, solute transfer across air/water and water/solid interfaces is modeled using equilibrium relationships. Rate-limited mass transfer between the water and biophases is described with a linear driving force expression. Microbial degradation and biomass net growth are modeled by Monod-type kinetics. Solute transport and microbial growth equations are solved using an iterative Galerkin finite element method with a variable time-weighting scheme. Coupled biophase mass balance equations for each component are solved with a Newton-Raphson iterative scheme. Model capabilities are illustrated with two-dimensional, cross-sectional simulations of natural bioattenuation. The influence of biotransformation processes on the transport and extent of a toluene plume is examined.

Mathematical modeling of BTX: biotransformation and transport in the subsurface.

A two-dimensional compositional model is presented; this model describes the transport and biotransformation of organic contaminants in a variably saturated subsurface environment. Modeled processes included mass exchange between constituent phases (water, air, soil, and organisms), advective and dispersive fluxes in the water phase, diffusive flux in the air phase, and biotransformation and biomass production in the biophase. In this model, solute transfer across air/water and water/solid interfaces is modeled using equilibrium relationships. Rate-limited mass transfer between the water and biophases is described with a linear driving force expression. Microbial degradation and biomass net growth are modeled by Monod-type kinetics. Solute transport and microbial growth equations are solved using an iterative Galerkin finite element method with a variable time-weighting scheme. Coupled biophase mass balance equations for each component are solved with a Newton-Raphson iterative scheme. Model capabilities are illustrated with two-dimensional, cross-sectional simulations of natural bioattenuation. The influence of biotransformation processes on the transport and extent of a toluene plume is examined.