Situ bioremediation of contaminated groundwater
AssigneeAuburn University
InventorJames A. Saunders
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Abstract
A method for removing heavy metals and halogenated hydrocarbons from contaminated groundwaters is provided. The method provides utilizing a treatment solution comprising a soluble source of organic carbon, ferrous iron, and sulfate. Additionally, the treatment solution may comprise sulfate reducing bacteria as well as nutrients for bacterial metabolism. The treatment is designed to stimulate the growth of naturally occurring sulfate reducing bacteria such that the metals are coprecipitated in iron sulfide and the hydrocarbons are reduced to innocuous byproducts.
Claims26
A method for removing inorganic and organic contaminants from contaminated groundwater in situ said method comprising:
- introducing a treatment solution comprising a soluble source of organic carbon, ferrous iron, and sulfate to said contaminated groundwater, and providing said contaminated groundwater with sufficient sulfate-reducing bacteria to coprecipitate the inorganic contaminants into biogenic iron sulfide or pyrite, and reduce the organic contaminants into innocuous by-products, wherein said sulfate-reducing bacteria is present in said groundwater, or is provided in said treatment solution.
An in situ bioremediation process for removing metal and halogenated hydrocarbons from contaminated groundwater said method comprising:
- delivering a treatment solution comprising ferrous iron, sulfate, and an organic compound, either into contaminated groundwater or in advance of a migrating plume of contaminated groundwater, and providing said groundwater with an effective amount of sulfate-reducing bacteria to remove said metals and halogenated hydrocarbons, wherein said sulfate-reducing bacteria is present in said groundwater, or is provided in said treatment solution, and wherein said metals are coprecipitated in iron sulfide and said hydrocarbons are reduced into harmless byproducts.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.