Enhanced reduction bioremediation method using in-situ alcoholysis

A non-aqueous admixture for in-situ remediation of recalcitrant organic and inorganic contaminants in surface and an aquifer consisting essentially of:

• 10 to 60 wt. % water miscible oil;
• 40 to 90 wt. % solvent;
• wherein the solvent is selected from methanol, ethanol and isopropanol;
• and
• a catalyst selected from the group consisting of an enzyme defined by a biocatalyst, an alkaline compound, or combinations thereof, wherein the alkaline compound is selected from potassium-hydroxide or sodium hydroxide, wherein the alkaline compound is dissolved in an alcohol in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 5 wt. % of the alkaline compound to form an alkyl oxide solution, and wherein the recalcitrant organic contaminants are selected from the group consisting of halogenated straight-chain and aromatic hydrocarbons;
• and inorganic contaminants are selected from perchlorate derivatives, nitrates;
• and oxidized metals.

A method for in-situ remediation of recalcitrant organic and inorganic contaminants in soil or an aquifer, the method comprising:

• (a) mixing a solvent and a water miscible oil to obtain a mixture, wherein the water miscible oil consists of a vegetable oil, and a surfactant or a co-surfactant or a polymer or a blend thereof;
• (b) combining a catalyst with the mixture obtained in step (a) to obtain a composition for in-situ use, wherein the catalyst is selected from the group consisting of an enzyme defined at least by a biocatalyst, an alkaline compound, heat or combinations thereof;
• and
• (c) introducing the composition obtained in step (b) into the soil or aquifer,
• wherein the composition obtained in step (b) consists essentially of:
• the water miscible oil consisting of the vegetable oil and the surfactant;
• the solvent miscible with water and adapted to dissolve the vegetable oil to form the solution;
• and
• the catalyst selected from the group consisting of the enzyme defined by the biocatalyst, the alkaline compound, or combinations thereof, wherein the alkaline compound is selected from potassium-hydroxide or sodium hydroxide, and wherein the alkaline compound is dissolved in an alcohol in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 5 wt. % of the alkaline compound to form an alkyl oxide solution.