Enhanced In Situ Co-Metabolic Biodegradation of 1,4-Dioxane in Weathered Bedrock via Propane Biosparging
Tuesday, August 8, 2017: 9:55 a.m.
Andrea Krevinghaus, PE
,
Arcadis, Novi, MI
Caitlin Bell, PE
,
Arcadis, San Francisco, CA
David Favero, CPG
,
RACER, Detroit, MI
The application of in situ biodegradation is a technology commonly used to mitigate chlorinated volatile organic compounds. Similarly, research and field demonstrations have shown co-metabolic biodegradation of 1,4-dioxane is a viable mechanism for treating 1,4-dioxane in groundwater. In situ co-metabolic biodegradation using propane biosparging is a remedy in which propane, air, nutrients, and propane oxidizing microorganisms, are delivered to the subsurface to enhance in situ co-metabolic biodegradation of 1,4-dioxane. More traditional 1,4-dioxane remedies such as advanced oxidation processes are typically very costly and complex, a propane biosparge system has the potential to be a much more cost effective and streamlined remedy.
In September 2016 a propane biosparge pilot test was initiated at the RACER Trust site in Lansing, MI. Air and propane were injected into contaminated weathered bedrock at 3 cubic feet per minute and up to 35 percent of the lower explosive limit (LEL) for 11 to 12 hours per day into each of two sparge wells. The propane concentration was increased from 15 to 35 percent LEL during the test to evaluate any change in the rate of biodegradation. Bioaugmentation with a propanotrophic culture was conducted, alongside nutrient addition of diammonium phosphate.
After four months of operation, 1,4-dioxane concentrations decreased up to 98 percent at monitoring locations within the test area. Higher reductions were observed at locations that were better connected with the sparge well and had increased dissolved oxygen (greater than 3 milligrams per liter) and propane (greater than 100 micrograms per liter). It was also concluded that increasing the propane from 15 to 35 percent of the LEL did not increase the rate at which 1,4-dioxane was degraded. Providing distribution of the gas mixture within the weathered bedrock will therefore be the key to making biosparging a viable remedy for the site.
Andrea Krevinghaus, PE, Arcadis, Novi, MI
Andrea Krevinghaus, PE, is a senior engineer and the focus area lead for air sparge and soil vapor extraction within Arcadis. Ms. Krevinghaus has almost 10 years of professional experience with Arcadis conducing and managing remedial investigations, evaluating remedial alternatives and developing remedial designs. Her technical experience primarily includes management of environmental remediation projects involving the design, implementation and operation of various in-situ and ex-situ treatment technologies.
Caitlin Bell, PE, Arcadis, San Francisco, CA
Caitlin H. Bell, PE, a principal engineer and the lead expert on 1,4-Dioxane for Arcadis, with nearly 10 years of consulting experience. A remediation engineer who focuses on subsurface treatment of soil and groundwater using in situ techniques, she specifically focuses on in situ bioremediation applications for a variety of chemicals of concern, including emerging contaminants. Ms. Bell serves as a technical resource to clients on topics such as molecular biology tools, bioaugmentation, compound-specific isotope analysis, and challenging bioremediation approaches for compounds like 1,4-dioxane. She was a member of the team who authored the Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council’s Environmental Molecular Diagnostics technical guidance document and has presented routinely on remediation topics at industry conferences. Ms. Bell is also a coauthor of the upcoming book, Handbook of Emerging Contaminants. She holds a B.S. in chemical engineering and an M.S. in environmental engineering.
David Favero, CPG, RACER, Detroit, MI
David Favero, CPG, is the Michigan Deputy Clean Up Manager for the Revitalizing Auto Communities Environmental Response (RACER) Trust in Detroit, Michigan. He can be reached at dfavero@racertrust.org.
