Ground water remediation using humate enhanced aerobic cometabolism
OwnerBrian B. Looney, M. Hope Lee +1inventors
InventorsBrian B. Looney, M. Hope Lee, Chris M. Yeager
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Abstract
A process of bioremediation of chlorinated solvents is provided. The process involves stimulating a microbial biomass of bacteria having oxygenase activity through the introduction of natural organic matter, such as a soluble humate, into a contaminated aquifer. The resulting increase in bacterial biomass results in the cometabolism of chlorinated solvents. The process allows remediation of a contaminated aquifer under aerobic conditions.
Claims7
A process for decreasing the concentration of chlorinated solvents in an aquifer comprising the steps of:
- introducing into an aquifer contaminated with chlorinated solvents an effective amount of natural organic matter (NOM);
- stimulating the growth of microorganisms which metabolize the introduced NOM and concomitantly degrade chlorinated solvents present within the aquiferr;
- monitoring the microbial population using enzyme activity probes, qPCR and similar microbial assays;
- maintaining a desired level of microbial activity through the periodic introduction of an additional supply of NOM;
- and,
- repeating said steps until a targeted reduction in chlorinated solvents is achieved.
A process for decreasing the concentration of chlorinated solvents in an aquifer comprising steps of:
- introducing into an aquifer contaminated with chlorinated solvents an effective amount of natural organic matter (NOM);
- maintaining an aerobic environment within said aquifer;
- stimulating the growth of aerobic microorganisms which metabolize introduced NOM said microorganisms further degrading chlorinated solvents present within the aquifer;
- maintaining a desired level of microbial activity through the periodic introduction of an additional supply of natural organic matter;
- and
- repeating such steps into a targeted reduction in chlorinated solvents is achieved.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.