Electrokinetic enhancement of phenanthrene biodegradation in creosote-polluted clay soil.
Given the difficulties caused by low-permeable soils in bioremediation, a new electrokinetic technology is proposed, based on laboratory results with phenanthrene, to afford bioremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in clay soils. Microbial activity in a clay soil historically polluted with creosote was promoted using a specially designed electrokinetic cell with a permanent anode-to-cathode flow and controlled pH. The rates of phenanthrene losses during treatment were tenfold higher in soil treated with an electric field than in the control cells without current or microbial activity. Results from experiments with Tenax-assisted desorption and mineralization of 14C-labeled phenanthrene indicated that phenanthrene biodegradation was limited by mass-transfer of the chemical. We suggest that the enhancement effect of the applied electric field on phenanthrene biodegradation resulted from mobilization of the PAH and nutrients dissolved in the soil fluids.
Niqui-Arroyo
José-Luis
JL
Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología, C.S.I.C., Apartado 1052, E-41080-Seville, Spain.
Bueno-Montes
Marisa
M
Posada-Baquero
Rosa
R
Ortega-Calvo
José-Julio
JJ
D000327:Adsorption; D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D000077215:Clay; D003407:Creosote; D004560:Electricity; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation / Q000379:methods*; D010616:Phenanthrenes; D012989:Soil Pollutants
D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D010616:Phenanthrenes; D012989:Soil Pollutants; C031181:phenanthrene; D003407:Creosote; D000077215:Clay