&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Solid .Waste and
Emergency Response
(5102G)
EPA542-F-01-043
November 2001
clu-in.org
Use of Bioremediation at
Superfund Sites
Fact Sheet and Order Information
Introduction
Bioremediation is being used with increasing frequency to
remediate contaminated media at hazardous waste sites. Overall
7 percent of Superfund sites with active remedies are using
bioremediation. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) has compiled data on the use of bioremediation at
Superfund sites in a new report, Use of Bioremediation at
Superfund Sites (EPA 542-R-01-019) to help inform site
managers, technology users, developers, and other interested
parties about the capabilities and current applications of
bioremediation. The report focuses on the use of enhanced
bioremediation technologies at 104 Superfund remedial action
sites and other contaminated sites.
Enhanced bioremediation involves the addition of microbes,
nutrients, electron donors, or electron acceptors to contaminated
media to enhance natural biodegradation mechanisms. As the
pie chart below shows, the report includes data on a variety of in
situ (below ground or in place) and ex situ (above ground)
bioremediation technologies for groundwater and source
treatment. Source treatment includes treatment of soil, sludge,
sediment, or other solid waste.
Superfund Bioremediation Projects (FY 1982 - FY 1999)
Total Projects =104
() = Number of Projects
Ex Situ Source Treatment
Land Treatment (33)
31%
In Situ Source Treatment-
Bioventini
23%
ng (24)
Ex Situ Source Treatment -
Composting (8)
Ex Situ Source Treatment -
Biopile (3)
3%
Situ Source Treatment -
Other (3)
In Situ Source Treatment
Other (9)
Ex Situ Source Treatment -
Slurry Phase (2)
2%
In Situ Groundwater -
Biosparging (3)
3%
In Situ Source Treatment- /n Sflu Groundwater -
Slun-y Phase Lagoon Aeration (2) other <17)
2% 16%
Contents of Report
The report summarizes and discusses the following types of data:
• Current applications of bioremediation, including treatment
technologies used, site types and contaminants most
commonly treated, and the project status of technologies
(e.g., design, operational, completed)
Trends over time related to the selection and use of
bioremediation, including the relative number of in situ and
ex situ projects, bioremediation Records of Decision
(RODs) as a percentage of the number of total RODs, the
number of RODs for selected versus planned or
implemented projects, and the number of technology
vendors
Available performance information from projects where
bioremediation has been used to treat polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs), chlorinated volatile organic
compounds (VOCs), pesticides and herbicides, and
explosives
Available cost data for bioremediation projects that
involved in situ source treatment (including 45 bioventing
projects), ex situ source treatment, and in situ groundwater
treatment
Report Highlights
Technology Types - Since 1991, the percentage of
Superfund bioremediation projects performed ex situ has
decreased, while the percentage of projects performed in
situ has increased. Bioventing and land treatment are the
most commonly implemented source treatment
technologies.
Site Types - The most common type of Superfund site at
which bioremediation is used is wood preserving, followed
by petroleum sites. The most common types of
contaminants at those sites are PAHs, benzene, toluene,
ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX), and pesticides and
herbicides.
Project Status - More than half of Superfund
bioremediation projects are in the operational phase, while
about one-quarter are in the predesign, design, or
installation phases. Of the 18 completed Superfund
projects, 14 are ex situ source treatment projects and 4 are
in situ projects for source treatment or groundwater
treatment^
Trends in Use - Few bioremediation RODs were signed in
the early- to mid-1980s. Since fiscal year 1988, the
number of bioremediation RODs has increased.
Performance - Available performance data show that
bioremediation is capable of reducing concentrations of
contaminants in soil and groundwater. Bioremediation is
being used to treat recalcitrant compounds, including
chlorinated VOCs, PAHs, pesticides and herbicides, and
explosives, with varying degrees of success.
Cost - Unit costs for bioventing projects ranged from
approximately $2 per cubic yard (cy) to more than $300
per cy, with costs at most sites less than $40 per cy. Unit
costs for ex situ bioremediation of soil ranged from $ 13 per
cy to more than $500 per cy, with most projects costing
less than $300 per cy.
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AEPA
United States
Environmental Protection Agency
National Service Center for
Environmental Publications
P.O. Box 42419
Cincinnati, OH 45242
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use $300
EPA 542-F-01-043
November 2001
Use of Bioremediation at
Superfund Sites
Fact Sheet and Order Information
Order Form
To order Use ofBioremediation at Superfund Sites (EPA 542-F-O 1-043), please call 1-800-490-9198 or complete this form
and mail or fax it to:
National Service Center for Environmental Publications
P.O. Box 42419
Cincinnati, OH 45242-2419
Fax: (513)489-8695
Order on-line at
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