A field evaluation of in situ biodegradation of trichloroethylene through methane injection.
A field study of biodegradation of trichloroethylene (TCE) through methane injection was conducted at the yard of a home in Japan. Methane was selected as the safest substrate for injection into groundwater. Methane, oxygen, nitrate, and phosphate were introduced into groundwater contaminated with 220 microg/L of TCE. After a week of biostimulation, methane concentrations gradually decreased below the detection limit. Methane oxidizing bacterial numbers increased from 10 to 10(4) cells/mL with methane consumptions. During methane injection. 10-20% of TCE removal was observed. The biotransformation yield was 3-13 mgTCE/gCH4 in this field test. After methane injections were stopped, TCE removal was not observed. These results indicated that bioremediation using methane was useful as a safe technology for a TCE-contaminated area near homes.
Eguchi
M
M
Central Research Laboratories, Organo Corporation, Toda, Japan. eguchi-m@organo.co.jp
Kitagawa
M
M
Suzuki
Y
Y
Nakamuara
M
M
Kawai
T
T
Okamura
K
K
Sasaki
S
S
Miyake
Y
Y
D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D007564:Japan; D008697:Methane / Q000378:metabolism; D008772:Methylococcaceae / Q000378:metabolism; D012449:Safety; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D014241:Trichloroethylene / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*
D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D014241:Trichloroethylene; D008697:Methane