Feasibility of on-site bioremediation of loam soil contaminated by diesel oil.
This study originated from an accidental event of diesel oil contamination in a loam soil area of 7,000 m2. Approximately a volume of 1,300 m3 of diesel oil was released into the environment. Reclamation of the contaminated soil by on-site bioremediation was selected as the most appropriate treatment method. A major concern was associated with the nature of the local loam soil. Loam has a very low hydraulic conductivity and very quickly becomes impermeable after its contact with water. The bioremediation approach incorporated excavation of the contaminated soil, mixing it with an agent, which increased its permeability. Following this preliminary treatment came the construction of bioreactors as a suitable environment of nutrients, moisture, dissolved oxygen, and enriched culture of microorganisms, which enabled breakdown of the diesel oil. This case study indicated that the target of 99% of diesel oil clean up could be achieved by using the technology of on-site bioremediation. The selected treatment method was found to be technologically and economically feasible. However, some improvement in the application of the basic treatment approach might increase the bioremediation efficiency.
Rubin
H
H
Environmental and Water Resources Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, Haifa. hrubin@tx.technion.ac.il
Narkis
N
N
D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D019149:Bioreactors; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005648:Fuel Oils / Q000032:analysis*; D007557:Israel; D010539:Permeability; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*
D005648:Fuel Oils; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants