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Excessive Bacterial Decomposition of H 2 O 2 During Enhanced Biodegradation
Author(s) -
Spain J. C.,
Milligan J. D.,
Downey D. C.,
Slaughter J. K.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
groundwater
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.84
H-Index - 94
eISSN - 1745-6584
pISSN - 0017-467X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1745-6584.1989.tb00436.x
Subject(s) - biodegradation , decomposition , hydrogen peroxide , catalase , oxygen , infiltration (hvac) , environmental chemistry , chemistry , bacteria , environmental science , materials science , biology , organic chemistry , enzyme , composite material , genetics
Enhanced aerobic biodegradation of hydrocarbons in the subsurface requires large quantities of oxygen to be distributed throughout the contaminated zone. Although hydrogen peroxide is a commonly used source of oxygen, its uncontrolled decomposition can result in wasteful off‐ gassing. Our results indicate that bacterial catalase is responsible for rapid decomposition of hydrogen peroxide at a jet fuel spill site undergoing enhanced biodegradation. Catalase positive bacteria found in infiltration galleries have dramatically decreased the useful oxygen supplied to the subsurface.