| Although aerobic biodegradation has been successfully demonstrated, a large niche exists whereby intrinsic bioremediation via Fe{dollar}sp{lcub}+3{rcub}{dollar} reduction would provide a significant economic advantage. This work examined a novel and promising in situ remediation approach to address the widespread contamination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) using ferric iron as the terminal electron acceptor. Two consortia enriched from contaminated soil/sediment, QU1 and QU2, exhibited characteristics consistent with PAH degradation coupled to ferric iron reduction. In subsequent treatability studies, QU2 was shown to be capable of appreciable PAH mineralization of the low molecular weight compounds, such as naphthalene and phenanthrene. The poor solubility, and hence bioavailability, of the higher molecular weight compounds was probably the source of their recalcitrance, and so surfactants and cyclodextrin were investigated as aids to enhance their dissolution. To determine the effect of in situ conditions on naphthalene mineralization, the influence of various environmental factors was examined. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
