A SCREENING PROTOCOL FOR BIOREMEDIATION OF CONTAMINATED SOIL

A bioremediation treatability protocol for soil is presented which can provide feasibility study and remedial action engineers maximum information with respect to the viability and efficiency of bioremediation. The protocol, divided into two main phases, progressively evaluates the viability of biodegradation and the requirements for optimization of the process once implemented. Chemical and microbiological baseline conditions and the potential for contaminant degradation are assessed during Phase I screening. During Phase II the endpoint achievable and kinetics of the biodegradation reactions can be established with pan and slurry reactor tests for ex-situ systems or column tests for in-situ systems. Models are reviewed which can predict the rate of removal of organic constituents, and these data in conjunction with the Phase I and II may be used to estimate the potential time required to achieve cleanup standards, assess the relative importance of biological versus chemical removal mechanisms, and compare expected performance of alternative bioremediation methods.