540R95529Q
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of
Research and Development
Cincinnati, OH 45268
EPA 540/R-95/529a
September 1995
p E PA SITE Technology Capsule
J.R. Simplot Ex-Situ Anaerobic
Bioremediation Technology: TNT
Abstract
The J.R. Simplot Ex-Situ Bioremediation Technology, also
known as the J.R. Simplot Anaerobic Bioremediation (SA-
BRE™) process, is designed to anaerobically degrade
nitroaromatic and energetic compounds with total destruction
of toxic intermediate compounds at the completion of treat-
ment. An evaluation of this technology was conducted under
the SITE Program on soils contaminated with 2,4,6-trinitro-
toluene (TNT) at the Weldon Spring Ordnance Works (WSOW)
site. This SITE Demonstration utilized 23 m3 (30 yd3) of TNT-
contaminated soil mixed with water to form a slurry in a 1:1
ratio (by weight) to evaluate the effectiveness of this technol-
ogy. The Demonstration was conducted over the 1993 winter,
when freezing conditions existed for five mo of the Demon-
stration Test. To offset these below zero temperatures, heat-
ers were added to the bioreactor to keep the slurry from
freezing.
The Reduction Efficiency based on the TNT pre-treatment
slurry concentration of 1,500 mg/kg (dry basis) and the TNT
post-treatment slurry concentration of 8.7 mg/kg (dry basis)
was 99.4% with a 95% Confidence Interval of 98.3% to
99.9%. The treatment time associated with this Reduction
Efficiency was approximately 9 mo. A Reduction Efficiency of
95% (the developer's claim) was achieved in approximately 5
mo. The treatment time is considered to be a function of the
bioreactor slurry temperature and the initial average TNT
concentration, among other factors. Intermediate byproducts
(amino and diamino derivatives, p-cresol, and 2,4,6-
trihydroxytoluene) were found to increase at the start of treat-
ment and then decrease to below the analytical detection limit
at the completion of treatment.
Relative toxicity testing of the slurry before treatment and at a
point 5 mo after the commencement of treatment was per-
formed. This testing included early seedling growth, root elon-
gation, and earthworm survival and reproduction tests. The
results of this testing, after the 95% Reduction Efficiency was
reached, showed that the soil was reduced in toxicity.
The Simplot technology was evaluated based on the seven
criteria used for decision-making in the Superfund Feasibility
Study (FS) process. Results of this evaluation are summa-
rized in Table 1.
Introduction
This Capsule evaluates the J.R. Simplot Ex-Situ Bioremedia-
tion Technology on the treatment of TNT-contaminated soil.
This process is designed to degrade nitroaromatic and ener-
getic compounds in soil and water. An earlier Demonstration
evaluated the technology to biodegrade the listed herbicide
(P020), 2-seo-butyl-4,6-dinitrophenol (dinoseb). The second
Demonstration of this technology, the focus of this Capsule,
was conducted under the SITE Program from September
1993 to June 1994 at the WSOW site near St. Louis, MO.
The contamination at this site can be traced to former produc-
tion methods at the WSOW. The J.R. Simplot Company
teamed with Envirogen Inc. to demonstrate this technology at
the WSOW site. This Capsule presents the following informa-
tion:
• Technology Description
• Technology Applicability
• Technology Limitations
• Process Residuals
• Site Requirements
• Performance Data
• Summary of Results
• Economic Analysis
• Technology Status
• SITE Program
• Sources of Further Information
Technology Description
The J.R. Simplot Company has developed a procedure that
treats soils contaminated with nitroaromatic and other ener-
getic compounds by the enhancement of naturally selected
anaerobic soil microorganisms. These microorganisms were
not found to be indigenous to the WSOW site and TNT
SUPERFUND INNOVATIVE
TECHNOLOGY EVALUATION i
Printed on Recycled Paper
SM-xl
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Table 1. Evaluation Criteria for the J.R. Simplot Ex-Situ Bioremediation Technology: TNT
Criteria
I\D
Overall Protection
of Human Health
& the Environment
Compliance
with Federal
ARARs
Long-Term
Effectiveness
Short-Term
Effectiveness
Reduction of
Toxicity, Mobility,
or Volume
through Treatment Implementab/lity
Cost
Provides both short- and
long-term protection by
destroying contaminants
in soil.
Prevents groundwater
contamination and offsite
migration.
Requires measures to
protect workers and per-
haps nearby communities
during excavation,
handling, and treatment.
Requires compliance
with RCRA treatment,
storage, and land dis-
posal regulations (for
a hazardous waste).
Excavation, construct-
ion, and operation of
onsite treatment unit
may require compli-
ance with location-
specific ARARs.
Emission controls may
be needed to ensure
compliance with air
quality standards if
volatile compounds
are present.
Wastewater discharges
to POTW or surface
bodies require compli-
ance with Clean Water
Act regulations.
Permanently destroys
contamination and
intermediates.
Provides reduction in
contamination levels;
duration of treatment
determines final
contaminant levels.
Overall toxicity re-
duced between pre-
and post-treatment.
Presents potential short-
term risks to workers
and nearby community,
including exposure to
noise and contam-
inants released to
air during excavation
and handling. These
can be minimized with
correct handling pro-
cedures and borders.
Eliminates toxicity of
soil contaminants
through treatment.
Does not leave inter-
mediates if conducted
properly. Could result
in intermediates if term-
inated prematurely.
If not fully dried, in-
creases volume of
treatment material by
addition of water to
create slurry.
Major equipment is
limited to bioreactor
and agitation/
suspension devices.
Support equipment
includes earthmoving
equipment (for excava-
tion, screening, and
loading of bioreactor)
and monitoring equip-
ment (for tracking of
pH, redox potential,
and temperature).
Once onsite, the
small portable bio-
reactor can be assem-
bled and ready to
load within 2 days.
The larger modular bio-
reactor requires ap-
proximately 4 days.
After excavation, bio-
reactor loading activ-
ities (soil and water)
are a function of the
treatment volume.
Alter treatment is com-
plete, the small bio-
reactor can be emptied
and demobilized in
3 days. If allowed
by enforcement person-
nel, treated soil can be
placed in the excavated
area and used as fill
material. For erected
bioreactors, the integrity
of the liner can be in-
tentionally breached
when treatment is com-
plete.
($112/yd3) for
treatment in a small
portable bioreactor and
a total treatment volume
of 23 m3 (30 yd3)
$718/m3 of soil
($549/ycP) for treatment
in an erected lined bio-
reactor and a total
treatment volume of
956 m3 (1,250 yd3).
UOS/ni3 ($310/y(f)
lor treatment in mul-
tiple erected lined
bioreactors and a total
treatment volume of
7,646m3 (10,000yd3).
Actual cost of a remed-
iation technology is depen-
dent upon the volume
of soil, soil character-
istics, contaminants
present, and the initial
and target cleanup
levels.
An additional cost of up
to SiSI/m3 (SWO/yd3)
may be assessed to
the client by the
developer.
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degraders were added to the slurry after the process became
anaerobic. The Simplot process is initiated under aerobic con-
ditions, but anaerobic conditions are quickly achieved under
design parameters, thus enabling the microbes to degrade the
nitroaromatic contaminants. In the case of TNT degradation,
toxic intermediate compounds are evolved and then destroyed
by the process.
At the WSOW site, contaminated soil was inoculated with
microorganisms in a 0.02 m3 (a 5-gal pail) of WSOW soil that
was previously remediated by the Simplot process during
treatability studies.
The Simplot technology utilized a portable tank as the bioreactor
during this Demonstration because of the small volume of test
soil. The bioreactor for these tests was 12.2 m long, 2.4 m
wide, and 2.6 m tall (40 ft x 8 ft x 8.5 ft), which approximates to
75,700 L (20,000 gal). In applications where larger volumes of
soil are treated, one or more lined pits or erected lined tanks,
both capable of remediating 956 m3 (1,250 yd3) of soil, may be
used.
Initially, water was added to the bioreactor with the contami-
nated soil in sufficient quantity to provide a ratio of 1 L of water
to 1 kg of soil. Nutrients (a J.R. Simplot Company potato-
processing starch byproduct) and pH-regulating agents (buff-
ers) were added to induce the aerobic microorganisms to thrive
and consume oxygen from the soil. This point was considered
day 0 in the remediation process. The nutrient and buffer
addition helped lower the redox potential (Eh) and create anaero-
bic conditions. Anaerobic conditions with an Eh less than -200
mV promote the establishment of the anaerobic microorgan-
isms capable of degrading nitroaromatic compounds.
Figure 1 shows the Simplot process flow diagram for the SITE
Demonstration. The first step was to pass the excavated soil
through a vibrating screen to remove rocks and other debris
>15.9 mm (5/8") in diameter. This oversize was neglected for
the purpose of this Demonstration Test. However, it may be
possible to separate the contaminated fine material from the
oversize using a soil/rock washing system, or, to crush this
oversize to the required dimensions. If these options are not
practical, then the oversize (if required) could be disposed of at
a RCRA permitted disposal facility. Water was added to the
bioreactor to provide the 1-L to 1-kg ratio required for treat-
ment. A phosphate buffer solution was added to the system to
control the pH to approximately 7. Batches of soil and the J.R.
Simplot potato-processing starch byproduct were mixed to-
gether by hand and added to the bioreactor. This continued
until all of the treatment soil was loaded into the bioreactor. The
bioreactor was sized so that it was approximately 60% full
when loaded.
At first, the bioreactor was loosely covered and underwent
frequent lancing to mix together the soil and water. The lancing
was accomplished by placing the suction end of a diaphragm
pump into the treated portion of the bioreactor and pumping it
into the sediment portion of the bioreactor. After approximately
2 mo, three electrical immersion heaters were added to the
system and a solar blanket was placed over the slurry due to
the cold weather that was encountered during the winter of
1993-94. Lancing continued at the rate of once every 1 to 2 wk.
The bioreactor was equipped with instrumentation to monitor
pH, temperature and redox potential of the slurry. Laboratory
testing by the developer found optimum operating conditions
for the degradation of TNT to be temperatures between 35 and
37°C, a pH below 8 (ideally between 6.0 and 7.0), and a redox
potential lower than -200 mV (1).
Technology Applicability
The J.R. Simplot Ex-Situ Bioremediation Technology is a stand-
alone system that can be used to biodegrade nitroaromatic and
energetic compounds in solid and liquid matrices. Simplot claims
that any type of soil can be treated, providing that the treat-
ment slurry is thoroughly mixed with the carbon-based nutri-
ents. Under optimum laboratory conditions, the rate limiting
step within this process is the diffusion of the nitroaromatic
compounds from the solid phase to the liquid phase. Sufficient
temperatures must be maintained to avoid freezing conditions.
If the soil to be treated contains rocks or debris greater than
approximately 38.1 mm (1-1/2") in diameter, then the technol-
ogy must be used with either a rock/soil washing system or a
rock crushing device. The soil type used during the Demon-
stration Test was a clayey gravel with sand. The soil itself need
not contain the necessary microorganisms to degrade the
nitroaromatic since the bioreactor can be inoculated with the
appropriate microorganisms. These microorganisms can be
obtained from previous remediations or treatability studies.
Technology Limitations
This technology is suitable for a variety of soil types that are
contaminated with nitroaromatic and energetic compounds.
However, if a large percentage of the soil contains rocks or
debris >38.1 mm (1-1/2") diameter, then either the contami-
nants must be removed from these large particles by a sepa-
rate technology, or the large particles may be crushed to the
required size and added to the bioreactor for treatment.
As with any biodegradation technology, the presence of high
concentrations of metals may be toxic to the microorganisms.
However, the process is a sulfate-reducing process, therefore,
toxic metals are reduced to their sulfide form, making them
less toxic to the microorganisms. Another limiting factor is that
hydrocarbon concentrations greater than 1,000 mg/kg Total
Recoverable Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TRPH), by weight, are
thought to be toxic to the microorganisms.
The degradation of TNT using this bioremediation technology
does not appear to be as temperature dependent as other
biological systems. However, degradation rates can be slowed
if suboptimum temperatures exist. This problem can be over-
come by adding heaters to the system.
Process Residuals
The process waste streams generated by the J.R. Simplot Ex-
Situ Bioremediation Process are any potential oversize (>38.1
mm) rocks or debris. For the purposes of this Demonstration
Test, the system was required to achieve the cleanup goals set
by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR).
The Simplot technology had to reduce the level of TNT to
below 57 mg/kg and maintain a total sum of the known toxic
intermediate compounds at each sampling location to below
2.5 mg/kg. At the completion of treatment, the entire contents
of the bioreactor were placed in lined pits to await final disposi-
tion.
The Simplot Company proposes to return treated soil to the
excavated areas as fill material if the treatment standards have
been met. In states where cleanup levels have not been estab-
lished or when cleanup levels have not been met, then dis-
posal of the soil at a RCRA-permitted facility may be necessary.
If a nitroaromatic compound other than TNT is remediated,
disposal of the soil at a RCRA-permitted facility is required only
if the compound is a listed waste or has hazardous waste
characteristics.
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Contaminated soil
i
-
Vibrating Screen
i
Contaminated soil
> 15.9mm
Figure 1. J.R. Simplot process flow diagram: TNT.
The water used to form the slurry and any rinse water used to
wash the rocks or debris (and subsequently added to the
bioreactor for treatment) can be disposed through the local
sewer system if all treatment standards have been met. If
treatment standards have not been met, the liquid must be
disposed of at a RCRA-permitted facility.
The oversized rocks or debris, if not washed or crushed, may
require formal disposal procedures at a RCRA-permitted facil-
ity if treatment standards are not met. If the washed or crushed
rocks and debris are shown to meet the treatment standards,
they may also be used as fill material in the excavated areas.
Site Requirements
The site requirements for the J.R. Simplot Ex-Situ Bioremedia-
tion Technology are a function of the quantity of soil to be
treated. If up to 31 m3 (40 yd3) or less of soil is to be remediated,
then a small 75,700-L, (20,000-gal) portable bioreactor may be
used. If the site contains greater than 31 m3 of contaminated
soil, then inground pits to a depth of 1.2 m (4 ft) with a 1-ft
berm can be constructed, or, one or more lined erected
bioreactors can be used. Equipment requirements are limited
to front-end loaders and backhoes for excavation, a vibrating
screen (or other size-separating device), homogenization equip-
ment, conveyors, and, if needed, a rock or soil washing system
or a rock crushing unit. The bioreactor requires agitation to stir
the soil in the slurry. Equipment to measure the slurry pH,
temperature, and redox potential is also necessary to monitor
the treatment process.
The time required to excavate, screen, and homogenize the
soil with the potato starch prior to forming the slurry in the
bioreactor is a function of the soil type, moisture content, and
soil volume. In the future, Simplot proposes to homogenize the
potato starch with the water prior to the contaminated soil
addition. Once the bioreactor has been filled and the monitor-
ing equipment is in place, maintenance requirements are mini-
mal. Access roads are needed for equipment and office trailer
transportation. After the treatment is completed, the small por-
table bioreactor can be emptied, agitators (if any) removed,
and all equipment shipped offsite within 3 days. For the cases
of inground pits and large modular bioreactors, upon the comple-
tion of treatment, the liner base can be breached (if treatment
standards have been met). The walls of the tank can be
removed and shipped to the next remediation project.
If the contaminated soil contains volatile organic compounds
(VOCs), then some form of cover equipped with a VOC collec-
tion device (such as a carbon adsorber) or a treatment device
(such as a biofilter) is required during the excavation phase of
treatment. The soil stockpiled after excavation should be wet-
ted and covered to minimize airborne emissions.
Utility requirements for this technology include water and elec-
tricity. For this SITE Demonstration, lancing (to mix the soil
with the water) was required once every 2 wk. Approximately
24,000 L (6,400 gal) of water was required to remediate 23 m3
(30 yd3) of soil. An electrical circuit is required to power the
screening equipment, any agitation equipment, or any homog-
enization requirements. The current needed is a function of the
size of the equipment, which in turn depends on the size of the
site.
Performance Data
The J.R. Simplot Bioremediation Technology was evaluated to
determine its effectiveness in degrading TNT and further de-
stroying any toxic intermediate compounds that may be formed
during the treatment process. The critical objective for this
Demonstration was to determine the percent reduction of TNT
based on the concentration in the pre-treatment slurry on a dry
basis compared to the concentration in the post-treatment
slurry on a dry basis. Other objectives for this evaluation
included:
• to determine the presence of likely intermediate compounds
before and after treatment;
• to develop operating costs;
• to determine the relative toxicity of the soil before and after
treatment; and
• to monitor the pH, redox potential, and temperature of the
slurry throughout the course of treatment.
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For the Demonstration Test, 23 m3 (30 yd3) of WSOW soil was
excavated and screened. All oversize material (>15.9 mm) was
separated and placed in a lined area for further disposition.
After this step was performed, 41 primary samples were taken
from the screened soil to determine the average TNT concen-
tration. Soil samples were also taken for the analysis of metals,
herbicides, pesticides, relative toxicity, grain size distribution,
and Atterberg Limits. A total of 24,000 L (6,400 gal) of potable
water was added to the bioreactor. This water was sampled
and analyzed for the chemical parameters stated above.
Relative toxicity testing of the soil was performed to determine
if the treatment process had caused the relative toxicity of the
treatment medium to increase because of the degradation of
TNT.
After the soil and water had been added to the bioreactor, a
sterile process control sample was taken from the bioreactor.
The purpose of this sample was to subject it to a required level
of gamma radiation to destroy the TNT degraders and then
determine, after the treatment had been concluded, if any TNT
degradation in the bioreactor was a consequence of biological
activity. However, based on total plate counts, it was found that
the sample did not receive the required level of gamma radia-
tion and that possibly TNT degraders were still present in the
slurry after the irradiation. However, the presence of known
intermediate compounds produced during the treatment pro-
cess strongly indicated that the remediation was biological.
Appropriate anaerobic conditions (Eh <-200 mV) were achieved
in 26 days. During the biodegradation of TNT, microorganisms
break the NO linkage, forming amino groups. This causes the
slurry to become alkaline. Therefore, hydrochloric acid was
added at intervals to control the pH. After the commencement
of treatment, the ambient temperature began to drop. When
freezing conditions were encountered, three immersion heaters
were added to the bioreactor to try and maintain enough heat
suitable for bioremediation.
Daily sampling at five locations within the bioreactor, with
analysis by a field TNT test kit and the Method 8330 Short-Run
(2), gave an indication of the treatment rate. Figure 2 shows
these locations. A plot of the degradation of TNT and the rise
and fall of one intermediate compound for one location is given
in Figure 3. This figure gives an approximation of the degrada-
tion process within the bioreactor. Based on the results of the
daily sampling and analysis, the first stage of post-treatment
sampling was initiated in February 1994 (day 156). This first
stage of post-treatment sampling included 50 primary samples
for the analysis of TNT, 5 samples for the levels of intermedi-
ate compounds, and final samples for relative toxicity testing.
The results of this first stage of post-treatment sampling showed
that the average solid phase concentration of TNT on a wet
basis was 54 mg/kg. This was below the set regulatory limit of
57 mg/kg. Two individual aliquots of the treatment soil gave
values of TNT much higher than encountered in pre-treatment
sampling. It was also found that, in each of 4 locations, the
sum of the intermediate compounds exceeded the regulatory
guideline of 2.5 mg/kg.
The relative toxicity testing was performed based on this inter-
mediate round of sampling. The conclusions drawn from this
round of testing are:
The intermediate-treatment soil had essentially 100% earth-
worm survival across all dilutions. The pre-treatment soil had
0% survival in 100% and 50% dilutions.
The root elongation study showed a consistent relationship
of more growth of alfalfa, red clover, cucumber, lettuce, and
wheat roots in the intermediate-treatment soil as compared
to the pre-treatment soil.
Further results and conclusions regarding the toxicity tests can
be found in the Innovative Technology Evaluation Report.
Summary of Results
In September 1993 (day 0), 41 primary samples were taken of
the feed soil and 3 primary samples were collected from the
make-up water placed in the bioreactor were taken for TNT
analysis. From these samples, the average pre-treatment slurry
concentration (dry basis) of TNT placed into the bioreactor was
1,500 mg/kg. The final stage of sampling was achieved in late
June 1994 (day 283), approximately 9 mo after loading the
bioreactor. From the 40 samples collected, the final slurry
concentration (dry basis) of TNT in the bioreactor was deter-
mined to be 8.7 mg/kg. This is much below the State required
limits. Based on this information, the Reduction Efficiency of
this process on TNT is determined to be 99.4%. The 95%
Confidence Interval associated with this average is 98.3% to
99.9%. The analytical method used to determine this reduction
was derived from SW-846 Method 8330 with minor modifica-
tions developedby the Army Corps of Engineers. Intermediate
compounds formed by the biodegradation of TNT were below
the analytical detection limit. No other known derivatives of
TNT biodegradation were found in the slurry at the completion
of treatment.
Metals concentrations (i.e. aluminum, barium, cadmium, chro-
mium, copper, iron, lead, magnesium, manganese, nickel, va-
nadium, and zinc) in the pre-treatment soils were at levels
generally found in natural soils and were not toxic to the
microorganisms. Bioconcentration of the toxic metals did not
appear to be occurring in this process as metals concentra-
tions did not change as a result of TNT biodegradation.
A negative control sample which consisted of a 0.02 m3 (5-gal)
HOPE pail, 60% full of only pre-treatment soil (no make-up
water) was left in the vicinity of the bioreactor. The purpose of
this negative control was to determine if the TNT had degraded
because of the J.R. Simplot process. Samples were taken for
TNT analysis at the beginning and end of the treatment pro-
cess. Statistically, there was no TNT reduction in the negative
control (2), thus showing that the accelerated TNT degradation
in the bioreactor was because of the bioremediation technol-
ogy.
Economic Analysis
Estimates on capital and operating costs have been deter-
mined for a treatment volume of 3,824 m3 (5,000 yd3) of TNT-
contaminated soil. This cost is estimated to be $147/m3 ($112/
yd3). This does not include excavation of the TNT-contami-
nated soil. Economic calculations for this estimate are based
on information gathered during the Demonstration at the WSOW
site and information provided by Simplot.
The estimated cost will vary depending on contamination level,
soil type, site facilities, and site location. This cost is an order-
of-magnitude estimate, as defined by the American Association
of Cost Engineers, with an expected accuracy within +50% and
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Top View b
c
©
Center
Side View b
Appr
I C
CD/® ,
G)
CD
b ^ CD
ox/mate s/uro"^/ Center CD ^oScaS^
Figure 2. Approximate daily sampling locations for TNT analysis by field kit and the 8330 short-run method.
Location 1 TNT & 4-AM-DNT (Dry Slurry) by HPLC Analysis
2500
2000
1500
.§
,2 ?ooo
500 -
TNT
4-AM-DNT
r « 2t 3t 4^ 5^ 61 71 81 91 101 111 121 131 141
Day
Figure 3. Daily sampling results for location 1.
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-30%. Since this is an innovative technology, the range may
actually be wider.
The cost for treating approximately 3,824 m3 of TNT-contami-
nated soil is based on:
• construction of four lined pits, each 15.2 m (50 ft) wide, 104
m (340 ft) long, and 1.2 m (4 ft) deep with a 0.3 m (one ft)
berm;
• treatment of TNT-contaminated soils with levels and soil
characteristics similar to the Demonstration Test soil;
• a direct scale-up of chemical usage from the SITE Demon-
stration; and
• a batch treatment time of 6 mo.
If Simplot scales-up its process differently than stated (i.e.,
using modular bioreactors rather than lined pits), then the cost
of remediation per cubic meter of contaminated soil will change.
This cost estimate is representative of charges typically as-
sessed to the client by the vendor and does not include profit.
This cost does not include an additional cost that may be
charged by the J.R. Simplot Company. Depending on site
characteristics, an additional cost of up to $131/m3 ($100/yd3)
may be assessed to the client for supplemental technical assis-
tance, soil nutrients, a carbon source, and other process en-
hancements. A detailed explanation of these costs, including
the 12 cost categories examined, can be found in the Innova-
tive Technology Evaluation Report.
Technology Status
The University of Idaho, in cooperation with the J.R. Simplot
Company, has ongoing research programs to design improve-
ments in the Simplot process and expand the applicability of
this technology to specific sites and for additional compounds.
Further work is being conducted by the University of Idaho and
the Environmental Protection Agency to develop an in-situ
process for subsurface soils and groundwater.
Currently, treatability studies are being performed on soil from
several sites contaminated with TNT and other explosives in
addition to sites contaminated with the herbicide, dinoseb.
Work plans are being developed to obtain regulatory agency
approval for full-scale remediations to begin in the spring of
1995. The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality has
approved the use of the process at a dinoseb-contaminated
site near Pocatello, ID. After the SITE Demonstration Test, full-
scale remediation of the dinoseb-contaminated site near
Ellensburg, WA is scheduled for the Spring of 1995. Approval
from the California Department of Toxic Substance Control is
required before the process can remediate a site in Reedley,
CA. Field-scale remediation at Reedley has proven highly ef-
fective, and it is anticipated that full-scale remediation will
begin in 1995.
Additional laboratory treatability studies are being performed
using the Simplot process on explosives-contaminated soil
from several U.S. Navy bases by the Corps of Engineers
Waterways Experiment Station in Vicksburg, MS. Additional
laboratory studies are underway to determine the suitability of
the process to treat explosives-contaminated soil from a former
ordnance works near Mead, NE. Additionally, inground pits are
being constructed for testing the process on soil contaminated
with explosive compounds at Bangor Submarine Base near
Seattle, WA.
SITE Program
In 1980, U.S. Congress passed the Comprehensive Environ-
mental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA),
also known as Superfund. CERCLA was amended by the
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) in
1986. The SITE Program is a formal program established in
response to SARA. The primary purpose of the SITE Program
is to maximize the use of alternatives in cleaning up hazardous
waste sites by encouraging the development and demonstra-
tion of new, innovative treatment and monitoring technologies.
It consists of four major elements: the Demonstration Program,
the Emerging Technology Program, the Measurement and Moni-
toring Technologies Program, and the Technology Transfer
Program. The J.R. Simplot Ex-Situ Bioremediation Technology
was evaluated under the Demonstration Program, This Cap-
sule was published as part of the Technology Transfer Pro-
gram.
Disclaimer
While the technology conclusions presented in this report may
not change, the data has not been reviewed by the Quality
Assurance/Quality Control Office.
Sources of Further Information
EPA Contact:
U.S. EPA Project Manager:
Wendy Davis-Hoover
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
National Risk Management Research Laboratory
5995 Center Hill Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45224-1701
Telephone No.: 513/569-7206
Fax No.: 513/569-7879
References
1. Funk, S.B.; Roberts, D.J.; Crawford, D.L.; and Crawford,
R.L. "Initial-Phase Optimization for Bioremediation of
Munition Compound-Contaminated Soils." Applied and
Environmental Microbiology, Vol. 25, pp. 2171-2177, July
1993.
2. Science Applications International Corporation. "Quality
Assurance Project Plan, Superfund Innovative Technol-
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at the WSOW in Weldon Spring, Missouri." July, 1993.
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Environmental Protection Agency
National Risk Management Research Laboratory (G-72)
Cincinnati, OH 45268
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$300
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