Large scale and long term application of bioslurping: the case of a Greek petroleum refinery site.
This paper presents the course and the remediation results of a 4-year application of bioslurping technology on the subsurface of a Greek petroleum refinery, which is still under full operation and has important and complicated subsurface contamination problems, mainly due to the presence of light non-aqueous phase liquids (LNAPL). About 55 wells are connected to the central bioslurping unit, while a mobile bioslurping unit is also used whenever and wherever is necessary. Moreover, there are about 120 additional wells for the monitoring of the subsurface of the facilities that cover a total area of 1,000,000 m(2). An integrated monitoring program has also been developed and applied on the site, including frequent LNAPL layer depth and thickness measurements, conduction of bail-down and recovery tests, sampling and chemical analysis of the free oil phase, etc., so as to evaluate the remediation technique's efficiency and ensure a prompt tracing of any new potential leak. Despite the occurrence of new leaks within the last 4 years and the observed entrapment of LNAPL in the vadoze zone, bioslurping has managed to greatly restrict the original plume within certain and relatively small parts of the refinery facilities.
Gidarakos
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Technical University of Crete, Department of Environmental Engineering, Laboratory of Toxic and Hazardous Waste, Politechnioupolis, Chania, Greece. gidarako@mred.tuc.gr
Aivalioti
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M
D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000032:analysis*; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005648:Fuel Oils; D006115:Greece; D006838:Hydrocarbons; D010578:Petroleum; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D012997:Solvents; D013997:Time Factors; D014873:Water Pollutants
D005648:Fuel Oils; D006838:Hydrocarbons; D010578:Petroleum; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D012997:Solvents; D014873:Water Pollutants