Assessment of biodegradation potential at a site contaminated by a mixture of BTEX, chlorinated pollutants and pharmaceuticals using passive sampling methods - Case study

0479696 - MBÚ 2018 RIV NL eng J - Journal Article
Lhotský, O. - Krákorová, Eva - Linhartová, Lucie - Křesinová, Zdena - Steinová, J. - Dvořák, L. - Rodsand, T. - Filipová, Alena - Kroupová, K. - Wimmerová, L. - Kukačka, J. - Cajthaml, Tomáš
Assessment of biodegradation potential at a site contaminated by a mixture of BTEX, chlorinated pollutants and pharmaceuticals using passive sampling methods - Case study.
Science of the Total Environment. Roč. 607, DEC 31 (2017), s. 1451-1465. ISSN 0048-9697. E-ISSN 1879-1026
Institutional support: RVO:61388971
Keywords : Pharmaceuticals * Groundwater * Biodegradation
OECD category: Microbiology
Impact factor: 4.610, year: 2017

The present study describes a pilot remediation test of a co-mingled plume containing BTEX, chlorinated pollutants and pharmaceuticals. Remediation was attempted using a combination of various approaches, including a pump and treat system applying an advanced oxidation process and targeted direct push injections of calcium peroxide. The remediation process was monitored intensively and extensively throughout the pilot test using various conventional and passive sampling methods, including next-generation amplicon sequencing. The results showed that the injection of oxygen-saturated treated water with residual hydrogen peroxide and elevated temperature enhanced the in situ removal of monoaromatics and chlorinated pollutants. In particular, in combination with the injection of calcium peroxide, the conditions facilitated the in situ bacterial biodegradation of the pollutants. The mean groundwater concentration of benzene decreased from 1349 mu g.L-1 prior to the test to 3 mu g.L-1 within 3 months after the calcium peroxide injections, additionally, monochlorobenzene decreased from 1545 mu g.L-1 to 36 mu g.L-1, and toluene decreased from 143 mu g.L-1 to 2 mu g.L-1. Furthermore, significant degradation of the contaminants bound to the soil matrix in less permeable zones was observed. Based on a developed 3D model, 90 percent of toluene and 88 percent of chlorobenzene bound to the soil were removed during the pilot test, and benzene was removed almost completely. On the other hand, the psychopharmaceuticals were effectively removed by the employed advanced oxidation process only from the treated water, and their concentration in groundwater remained stagnant due to inflow from the surroundings and their absence of in situ degradation.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0275664