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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #66583
Title: FACTORS CONTROLLING BIOREMEDIATION OF PETROLEUM HYDROCARBONS IN SOIL

Author
item MALKOS, EVANTHIA - UNIV OF ILLINOIS
item MANN, DIANNE - US ARMY CERL
item SIMS, GERALD
item RASKIN, LUTE - UNIV OF ILLINOIS

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/29/1995
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: A study was performed on soils from three U. S. Army Corps of Engineers sites in Southern Illinois to quantify optimal parameters for bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons. The purpose of the study was to determine factors controlling degradation rates so that reliability and time scale of remedial activities could be assessed. Degradation rates and sorption-desorption of naphthalene, a ubiquitous contaminant at these sites, were determined in materials of different texture and/or different hydrocarbon concentrations. In addition, nutrients (N, P, and K) were added to some of the samples. Naphthalene degradation was determined using radiolabeled material and measuring evolution of 14-C carbon dioxide. Naphthalene volatilization was determined by trapping on polyurethane foam. Results indicated that the soils varied in mineralization rates and volatilization according to textural differences, and that degradation, sorption, and volatilization processes were coupled. Also, high concentrations of nutrients were found to inhibit degradation and lead to increased volatilization.