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Application of Oxygen Microbubbles for in Situ Biodegradation of p ‐Xylene‐Contaminated Groundwater in a Soil Column
Author(s) -
Jenkins Kristen B.,
Michelsen Donald L.,
Novak John T.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
biotechnology progress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.572
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1520-6033
pISSN - 8756-7938
DOI - 10.1021/bp00022a006
Subject(s) - biodegradation , ferrous , chemistry , environmental chemistry , oxygen , microbubbles , pseudomonas putida , organic chemistry , physics , acoustics , enzyme , ultrasound
In situ biodegradation of p ‐xylene was studied in a 7‐cm (2.75‐in.) soil column using oxygen microbubbles to supply the electron acceptor. Pseudomonas putida continuously degraded p ‐xylene below detectable limits until the oxygen supply was exhausted. Retention time in the biodegradation zone was approximately 45 min. Vent losses claimed 5–10% of the injected oxygen, with 71–82 % being utilized. The pressure drops resulting from increased biomass showed a slight increase over the first few days followed by a gradual decline, indicating that the biomass will not plug the soil matrix under the conditions of this test. The addition of ferrous iron in the feed and its subsequent oxidation to ferric hydroxide did not affect biodegradation, nor did it cause appreciable soil plugging. In order to precipitate the ferrous iron before it reached the microbubbles, an air‐sparging section was added. This resulted in volatilization of p ‐xylene with very little ferrous oxidation until the groundwater reached the oxygen microbubbles.