Microbial reductive dechlorination in large-scale sandbox model

Microbial reductive dechlorination is a naturally occurring transformation process tetrachloroethene (PCE) undergoes in aquifers. It contributes significantly to natural attenuation of chlorinated solvents. Stimulation of this process has been considered as a method of enhanced bioremediation. Experiments on the stimulation of reductive dechlorination were carried out in a large-scale quasi-2D sandbox model. The transformation of PCE to cis-l,2-dichloroethene (DCE) was attempted by inoculation with Dehalospirillum multivorans and that of DCE to ethene with a mixed culture. Ethanol used as the electron donor was introduced into the inlet of the domain, whereas water loaded with PCE was injected into a well. Limitations due to insufficient mixing could not be observed as high-permeability lenses enhanced the transverse exchange of the compounds. Both reductive dechlorination and competitive microbial reactions led to the acidification of the domain. The artificial aquifer was buffered by the concurrent injection of sodium sulfide with the electron donor. Under these conditions bioaugmentation of Dehalospirillum multivorans was successful, whereas stable dechlorination of DCE could not be achieved.