Objective: The objective of this project is to compare a low-cost passive approach for implementation of bioaugmentation to more expensive recirculation approaches for full-scale application of bioaugmentation at scales of hundreds of feet or more. Specific technical objectives include: (1) extending bioaugmentation cost-effectively to full scale, at scales of hundreds rather than tens of feet, and demonstrating induction of complete dechlorination at the same scale; (2) demonstrating that a low-cost, passive approach to bioaugmentation will achieve large-scale bacterial distribution and induction of complete dechlorination; and (3) comparing and contrasting the effectiveness of passive and active approaches to bacterial distribution. Technology Description: This project incorporates the following two innovative technology components: - Passive bacterial distribution, which involves injecting well-characterized dechlorinating culture into three injection wells and monitoring the distribution of Dehalococcoides species without recirculating groundwater. A nearby recirculation system will be operated for comparison.
- Redistribution of field-enriched culture, which involves inoculating passive treatment zones with groundwater from the nearby pilot test area where bioaugmentation was performed and comparing the results to the recirculation zone, which utilizes fresh cultures.
Expected Benefits: Based on the results of the pilot test at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, Site 70 in California (CU-0315), a passive, large-scale bacterial growth and distribution approach may be as effective as an active approach, thereby saving hundreds of thousands of dollars on individual full-scale bioaugmentation projects across the Department of Defense. Establishing that this approach to mitigation of dichloroethene (DCE) stall is viable at full scale will remove the primary limitation to bioremediation of chloroethenes and allow bioaugmentation to reach its full potential to replace more expensive containment and source area remediation technologies. Since hundreds of sites are using or considering pump and treat for containment of chlorinated solvents where bioremediation/bioaugmentation could be used, given the ability to distribute bacteria cost-effectively at a large scale, the savings could easily be in the tens of millions of dollars. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2008) Principal Investigator:
Mr. Joey Trotsky
Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center
1100 23rd Avenue, Code 411
Port Hueneme, CA 93043
Telephone: (805) 982-1258
Fax: (805) 982-4304
E-mail: joey.trotsky@navy.mil
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