title: Detailed analysis of petroleum hydrocarbon attenuation in biopiles by high-performance liquid chromatography followed by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography.
abstract: Enhanced bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons in two biopiles was quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) followed by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCXGC). The attenuation of 34 defined hydrocarbon classes was calculated by HPLC-GCXGC analysis of representative biopile samples at start-up and after 18 weeks of biopile operation. In general, a-cyclic alkanes were most efficiently removed from the biopiles, followed by monoaromatic hydrocarbons. Cycloalkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were more resistant to degradation. A-cyclic biomarkers farnesane, trimethyl-C13, norpristane, pristane and phytane dropped to only about 10% of their initial concentrations. On the other hand, C29-C31 hopane concentrations remained almost unaltered after 18 weeks of biopile operation, confirming their resistance to biodegradation. They are thus reliable indicators to estimate attenuation potential of petroleum hydrocarbons in biopile processed soils.
authors.affiliation: Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, B-2400 Mol, Belgium.
authors.forename: Debin
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lookman
authors.forename: Hendrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Van De Weghe
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Van Look
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vanermen
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: De Brucker
authors.forename: Ludo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Diels
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002849:Chromatography, Gas / Q000379:methods*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D010578:Petroleum / Q000032:analysis*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D006838:Hydrocarbons; D010578:Petroleum; D012989:Soil Pollutants