Decreased Release of PAHs from Soils as a Result of Field Bioremediation

Abstract

In this study, the relationship between the release characteristics of contaminants from soil and the biodegradability of the contaminants was evaluated. The soils used were from a large-scale field site. A batch rate of release procedure was used to quantify the release of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from manufactured gas plant site soils before and during bioremediation in a field land treatment unit (LTU). This evaluation assessed the performance of the field-scale LTU with respect to changes in the soil PAH concentrations and to changes in chemical release parameters. The practical implications of the evaluation are discussed. During 147 days of LTU operations, the concentrations of specific PAHs were reduced 39–93%. ROR studies were conducted on LTU soil samples obtained at Days 0, 58, 72, and 147 of treatment. As a result of 147 days of treatment in the LTU, the fraction of a PAH released rapidly (