Bioventing for<i>in situ</i>remediation

Abstract

Abstract The availability of oxygen generally controls the rate at which aerobic in situ bioremediation proceeds. Bioventing, which couples soil venting with bioremediation, is often the most effective means of supplying oxygen to unsaturated zone soil. Laboratory treatability studies were conducted which showed that bioventing could be successfully applied to compounds ranging from light hydrocarbons, such as gasoline or diesel, to heavier hydrocarbons, such as fuel oils, as well as other volatile and semivolatile compounds. In many cases, the promotion of biological activity through the addition of nutrients and moisture, and optimization of the bioventing flow rates, may achieve greater contaminant reductions than venting alone.