U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency
Office of Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
Office of Research
and Development
EPA/540/N-96/500 No. 13 May 1996
EMEMEDWM
IN THE FIELD
An information update on applying bioremediation to site cleanup.
BIOREMEDIATION
Field Initiative
Prepared Bed
Land Treatment
Effective in
Remediating
Wood Preserving
Wastes at Libby
Site
Data collected over a 2-year period indicate that pre-
pared bed land treatment was effective in reducing
concentrations of wood preserving contaminants to
target remediation levels at the Champion Interna-
tional Superfund Site in Libby, Montana. At this site,
where a former wood preserving facility had con-
taminated the soil with polycyclic aromatic hydrocar-
bons (PAHs) and pentachlorophenol (PCP), EPA's
Bioremediation Field Initiative provided support for
an evaluation of a prepared bed land treatment sys-
tem consisting of two 1-acre, lined land treatment
units (LTUs). The purpose of the evaluation was to
assess LTUs' treatment effectiveness, treatment rate,
and detoxification of the contaminated soil. Utah
State University (USU) designed and conducted the
evaluation with support and technical direction from
EPA's National Risk Management Research Labora-
tory (NRMRL).
Prior to the study, Champion International exca-
vated the primary sources of contamination at the
Libby site and moved the contaminated soils to a
waste pit. The company constructed two LTUs,
lining and surrounding each with low-permeabil-
ity materials to ensure containment of contami-
nated soils and leachate, and to control surface
runoff. The company began operating the LTUs in
1991.
Six- to 12-inch layers of contaminated soils (lifts)
were applied to each LTU. When target contami-
nant concentration levels were achieved, an addi-
tional lift was applied. Periodically, nutrients and
moisture were added and the soil was tilled to
(Continued on page 2)
Protocol on
Natural Attenuation
of Petroleum
Hydrocarbons
Now Available
Researchers involved in a joint effort of EPA's National
Risk Management Research Laboratory (NRMRL) and
the U.S. Air Force's Center for Environmental Excel-
lence (AFCEE) Technology Transfer Division have re-
leased a two-volume report entitled, Technical Protocol
for Implementing Intrinsic Remediation With Long-Term
Monitoring for Natural Attenuation of Fuel Contamination
Dissolved in Ground Water. This report was developed
for Air Force personnel and their contractors, as well
as for scientists and others working on ground-water
remediation.
The report discusses intrinsic remediation—the use of
natural attenuation to remediate contaminants in the
subsurface. Natural attenuation is defined as the
biodegradation, dispersion, dilution, sorption, vola-
tilization, and/or chemical and biochemical stabiliza-
tion of contaminants to effectively reduce contaminant
(Continued on page 4)
In This Issue
Prepared Bed Land Treatment Effective in Remediating
Wood Preserving Wastes at Libby Site 1
Protocol on Natural Attenuation of Petroleum
Hydrocarbons Now Available 1
Principles and Practices for Bioventing Now Available 3
Symposium on Natural Attenuation of Chlorinated
Organics in Ground Water 5
Seminar Series on Bioremediation of Hazardous Waste Sites:
Practical Approaches to Implementation 5
EPA Bioremediation Information Available On Line 6
Back Issues of Bioremediation in the field 6
New Bioremediation Publications Released 7
EPA Updating Bioremediation in the Field Search System ... 10
Bioremediation Field Initiative Contacts 10
Phytoremediation Field Work 11
Regulatory Update 11
Initiatives To Promote Innovative Technology in
Waste Management Programs 12
^A> Printed on recycled paper
-------
Bioremediation in the Field
Prepared Bed Land Treatment Effective in Remediating Wood Preserving Wastes at Libby Site
(Continued from page 1)
increase oxygen transfer and promote aerobic
degradation of the contaminants. Active treatment
occurred from March to October each year.
Over the study period (1991 to 1992), soil samples from
the LTUs were collected and analyzed to identify and
measure the levels of target chemicals in the prepared
bed system. In total, more than 300 soil samples from
the surface soil and buried lifts were analyzed, gener-
ating more than 5,000 individual chemical concentra-
tions for 16 PAHs and PCP. The collected data indicate
that land treatment was effective in remediating the
contaminated soils (see Table 1).
Table 1 Initial and 09/01/92a Concentrations of Target
Contaminants in the Libby LTUs (All Lifts)
Contaminant
Target
Concentration
(mg/kg)
Mean Initial
Concentrations
(mg/kg)
Percentage of
Samples Below
Target Levels
on 09/01/92
PAHs
Naphthalene
Phenanthrene
Pyrene
TCPAH
PCP
8.0
8.0
7.3
37
1.1-4.5
<0.95-2.5
76-135
200-254
100-132
-100%
-100%
>80% in LTU 1;
>85% in LTU 2
>90%
97% in LTU 1;
95% in LTU 2
a Date of the last sampling event.
To calculate treatment rates, a first-order degradation
model was used to linearize the contaminant concen-
tration data. Table 2 presents the pyrene, TCPAH, and
PCP half lives and degradation rates calculated for
individual and composited soil samples. Calculated
half lives and degradation rates varied significantly
from lift to lift because of variations in initial contami-
nant concentrations and the timing of sampling dates
in relation to lift application/burial.
Contaminant concentrations in soil lifts on different
sampling dates were analyzed further to determine
whether treatment occurred after a lift was buried.
Table 2 Half Lives and Degradation Rates for Pyrene, TCPAH,
and PCP
Treatment Rates for LTU 2, Lift 1,
Soil Samples
Composited Samples Individual Samples
Half Degradation
Contam- Life Rate, k
inant (Days) (I/Day)
Half Degradation
Life Rate, k
(Days) (I/Day)
Range
of Half
Lives
for LTU 1,
Lifts 4
and 5, All
Samples
(Days)
Pyrene
TCPAH
PCP
45
38
36
-0.0155
-0.0183
-0.0192
55
55
43
-0.0125
-0.0127
-0.0163
27-61
33-56
16-32
The fact that pyrene, TCPAH, and PCP concentra-
tions in early lifts (e.g., LTU 1, Lift 1) continued to
decline after application of subsequent lifts indicates
that biodegradation continued after active treatment.
Degradation occurred more slowly in buried lifts
than during active treatment.
To determine whether soil toxicity declined with the
contaminant levels, the toxicity of LTU soil samples
was measured using the Microtox™ assay. Soil toxic-
ity (ECso values) declined significantly over time,
and the reductions in ECso corresponded with reduc-
tions in pyrene, TCPAH, and PCP concentrations.
Soils remediated to target levels were detoxified to
background levels.
Two chemical mass balance laboratory studies were
conducted to obtain direct evidence of microbial deg-
radation (mineralization) of target contaminants in
site soil and to collect information about the role of
other processes (e.g., volatilization) that could ac-
count for the apparent degradation of soil contami-
nants in the Libby site LTUs.
• A biological mineralization study designed to evalu-
ate the extent and rate of mineralization of radio-
labeled phenanthrene and PCP spiked into site soil.
• A biological mineralization and humification
study designed to provide additional information
about the distribution of radioactive carbon label
in the soil, air, and solvent phases.
Both studies involved constructing microcosms to
which LTU soil was added. Radiolabeled phenan-
threne or PCP was then added, and the microcosms
were maintained under simulated site conditions
(i.e., with similar oxygen and nutrient levels). The
microcosms were purged and aerated every 4 days,
and the radioactivity of samples taken from traps in
the microcosms was measured. These studies suggest
that the contaminant-level reductions observed in the
LTUs were attributable in part to mineralization by
indigenous soil microorganisms.
Taken together, the results of the Libby site bioreme-
diation field evaluation indicate that land treatment
was effective in remediating select contaminants to
target levels and in detoxifying contaminated soils to
background levels.
For more information on the prepared bed land
treatment system used at Libby, contact Scott Huling
of NRMRL at 405-436-8610 or access the Technology
Support Center, Bioremediation Field Initiative—
Libby, section of EPA's Kerr Laboratory Home Page
on the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/ada/
kerrlab.html.
-------
Bioremediation in the Field
Principles and
Practices for
Bioventing Now
Available
EPA and the U.S. Air Force have jointly released Man-
ual Principles and Practices of Bioventing (EPA/540/R-
95/534). This two-year collaborative effort documents
the combined knowledge and experience of EPA's Na-
tional Risk Management Research Laboratory, the Air
Force's Armstrong Laboratory and Center for Envi-
ronmental Excellence (AFCEE), Battelle Memorial In-
stitute (the project contractor), and other researchers
and practitioners from around the world. The manual,
which was carefully reviewed by experts from govern-
ment, academia, and industry, is a product of EPA's
Bioremediation Field Initiative.
Bioventing is the process of forcing air through unsatu-
rated soil at low flow rates to stimulate aerobic biode-
gradation of organic contamination. Because
bio venting has predominantly been used to remediate
petroleum contamination, such as jet fuel, gasoline,
and fuel oil, the manual focuses on soil contaminated
with petroleum. The basic framework described in
the manual, however, should be useful for applying
bioventing to other aerobically biodegradable con-
taminants.
The manual comprises two volumes: "Volume I—
Bioventing Principles" and "Volume II—Bioventing
Design." Volume I explains how bioventing works,
including the physical processes that influence
bioventing (e.g., soil gas permeability and contami-
nant distribution) and the microbial processes impor-
tant to bioventing, such as the influence of
environmental parameters on microbial kinetics.
The volume includes case histories of key field studies
from the development of bioventing. Two of these case
histories, the field studies at Eielson and Hill Air Force
Bases, describe projects sponsored jointly by the Biore-
mediation Field Initiative and the Air Force.
Volume I concludes with an overview of the data
collected in AFCEE's Bioventing Initiative, a program
that tested bioventing at 135 sites. The data are com-
piled into a statistical model to examine the influence
of environmental parameters such as nutrient concen-
trations, pH, soil moisture levels, and petroleum con-
centration on the rate of bioventing-induced
biodegradation.
Volume II, the "how-to" portion of the manual, is based
on the cumulative experience of the Bioventing Initia-
tive, EPA's bioventing research projects, Battelle's ex-
perience at government and industrial sites, and other
experiences from the literature. The volume details a
well-tested approach to site characterization, system
design, process monitoring, and site closure.
The first section, on site characterization, offers ap-
proaches to soil gas surveys, soil characterization, in
situ respirometry, and soil gas permeability treatabil-
ity tests. Gathering this information is essential when
determining the feasibility of bioventing and takes a
first step toward system design.
The next section, system design, explains how to de-
termine the required air flow rates, well spacing,
blower sizes, vent well, and soil gas monitoring point
construction. The section discusses the advantages of
operating with air injection, and identifies when air
extraction might be a useful system configuration.
The essential elements of performance monitoring, the
topic of the next section, are described in detail, includ-
ing soil gas measurements and in situ respirometry.
The section also covers monitoring techniques, such as
surface emissions monitoring and the use of stable-
carbon isotope ratio measurements to validate that
biodegradation is occurring.
Volume II closes by describing how to determine when
to shut down the bioventing system. Indispensable
(Continued on page 4)
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Research and
Development
Washington, DC 20460
&EPA
Manual
Bioventing Principles and
Practice
Volume I: Bioventing Principles
-------
Bioremediation in the Field
Protocol on Natural Attenuation of
Petroleum Hydrocarbons Now Available
(Continued from page 1)
toxicity, mobility, or volume to levels that are protec-
tive of human health and the ecosystem.
The report also presents a data collection and analysis
protocol for evaluating the fate in ground water of fuel
hydrocarbons that have regulatory standards. The use
of this protocol, the report states, should in many cases
demonstrate that natural attenuation can reduce the
concentration of such contaminants below any appli-
cable regulatory standards before significant exposure
occurs. Based on experience at over 40 Air Force sites,
the cost to fully implement this protocol ranges from
$100,000 to $175,000, depending on site conditions.
The EPA/AFCEE report highlights several advantages
that natural attenuation has over conventional engi-
neered remediation technologies: 1) lower remediation
costs for sites with low contaminant concentrations; 2)
the transformation of contaminants to innocuous
byproducts; 3) the technique's nonintrusive nature,
which enables the continued use of infrastructure dur-
ing remediation; 4) the absence of equipment limita-
tions found with other, mechanized remediation
techniques; and 5) the absence of risks that engineered
remedial technologies present when transferring con-
taminants to the atmosphere. In addition, those fuel
compounds that are the most mobile and toxic tend to
be the most susceptible to biodegradation.
Because of these and other advantages, the AFCEE
Remediation Matrix—Hierarchy of Preferred Alterna-
tives identifies natural attenuation as the first option
to be evaluated. The report does note the technique's
limitations, however, including the potential for a rela-
tively long timeframe for completion.
After discussing intrinsic remediation, Volume I of the
report describes the protocol used to obtain scientific
data to support the intrinsic remediation option, then
offers a complete list of references. Volume II presents
case studies describing the use of intrinsic remediation
at two Air Force sites: Hill Air Force Base in Utah and
Patrick Air Force Base in Florida. Appendixes to the
report describe the collection of site characterization
data and sampling and analysis procedures, provide
an in-depth discussion of the destructive and nonde-
structive mechanisms of intrinsic remediation, cover
data interpretation and pre-modeling calculations,
and describe solute fate and transport modeling in
support of intrinsic remediation.
This report will be available on the Internet at
http://www.epa.gov/docs/ORD. For more informa-
tion about the report, contact:
Dr. John Wilson
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
National Risk Management Research Laboratory
Subsurface Protection and Remediation Division
Ada, OK 74820
405-436-8534
Marty Faile
U.S. Air Force
U.S. Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence
Brooks Air Force Base, TX 78235
210-536-4331
Principles and Practices for Bioventing
Now Available
(Continued from page 3)
appendixes cover equipment specification and manu-
facturers that have been used successfully in the past,
example procedures for conducting bioventing treata-
bility studies, and off-gas treatment options for air-ex-
traction systems.
The manual is useful for a wide audience. It will help
state and federal underground storage tank regulators
determine the applicability of bioventing at their sites
and evaluate work plans for bioventing. Engineering
firms with limited experience in bioventing will find
the manual invaluable in gaining an understanding of
the technology. Educators can use the manual to teach
in situ bioremediation process design and operation to
students. The manual will also be helpful for profes-
sionals whose work is associated with nonpetroleum
contamination, such as that found at Superfund sites,
as they consider the use of bioventing.
Manual: Principles and Practices of Bioventing is currently
available on the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/
docs/ORD. For further information, contact:
Dr. Gregory Sayles
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
National Risk Management Research Laboratory
26 West Martin Luther King Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45268
513-569-7607
-------
Bioremediation in the Field
Symposium on Natural Attenuation of
Chlorinated Organics in Ground Water,
September 11-13,1996
Hyatt Regency Dallas, Dallas, TX
A 3-day symposium on natural attenuation is being
organized by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, the U.S. Air Force Armstrong Laboratory's
Environics Directorate, Tyndall Air Force Base, Flor-
ida, and the U.S. Air Force Center for Environmental
Excellence at Brooks Air Force Base, Texas.
Natural attenuation, the biodegradation and/or
chemical destruction or stabilization of contaminants,
can reduce contaminants to levels protective of human
health and the ecosystem. The symposium is intended
to increase participant's understanding of the natural
attenuation process, to review methods for screening
sites, and to help participants determine the feasibility
of natural attenuation at sites contaminated with chlo-
rinated solvents. The symposium will also obtain feed-
back from the regulatory and industrial communities
on the appropriate application of natural attenuation
and the developing protocol for natural attenuation of
chlorinated organics.
Invited speakers will discuss the natural attenuation
process, methods for assessing the process's potential
for use at contaminated sites, and techniques for meas-
uring results. Platform presentations will cover both
laboratory studies and field demonstrations con-
ducted in support of natural attenuation at govern-
ment and industry sites.
To register for the symposium, please call Eastern
Research Group, Inc. (ERG), at 617-674-7374.
JH1
Seminar Series on Bioremediation of
Hazardous Waste Sites:
Practical Approaches to Implementation
This technology transfer seminar series is sponsored
by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's)
Biosystems Program, which coordinates EPA's re-
search, development, and evaluation of full-scale
bioremediation activities. The Biosystems Program
strives to balance research on degradation processes
with engineering activities that contribute to environ-
mental cleanups. The seminars will take place in the
following cities:
May 29-30,1996
June 4-5,1996
June 6-7,1996
June 18-19,1996
Chicago, IL
Kansas City, MO
Atlanta, GA
San Francisco, CA
This seminar series will provide participants with
state-of-the-art information on the practical aspects of
implementing bioremediation. The series will be di-
vided into the following sections:
• In Situ Treatment of Soils, Sediments, and Shore-
lines
• Ex Situ Treatment With and Without a Reactor
• Natural Attenuation of Ground Water and Soils
• Treatment of the Subsurface
Each section will include discussion of advantages and
limitations, materials handling, types of wastes
amenable to the treatment process, and capital and
O&M costs. The overall focus will be on applications
in use in the field today, although the series will touch
on processes that are nearing readiness for field use.
The presentations will contain useful information for
field personnel in bioremediation from federal, state,
and local agencies, as well as for industry repre-
sentatives, vendors, contractors, and academics. Al-
though some background information will be
provided, participants should have some experience
with the technology.
To register for the seminar series, please call Eastern
Research Group, Inc. (ERG), at 617-674-7374.
-------
Bioremediation in the Field
EPA
Bioremediation
Information
Available On Line
Researchers and other individuals interested in gath-
ering information about bioremediation research can
now access EPA publications and other bioremedia-
tion-related information on the Internet.
Office of Research and Development (ORD) publica-
tions on bioremediation that are currently available
at http://www.epa.gov/docs/ord/nrmrl/tdb.html
include:
• Bioremediation Field Evaluation: Eielson Air Force
Base, Alaska (EPA/540/R-95/533).
• Six Bioremediation Field Initiative Site Profiles:
Bioremediation Field Initiative Site Profile: Libby
Groundwater Superfund Site (EPA/540/F-95/506A),
Bioremediation Field Initiative Site Profile: Eielson Air
Force Base Superfund Site (EPA/540/F-95/506B),
Bioremediation Field Initiative Site Profile: Hill Air Force
Base Superfund Site (EPA/540/F-95/506C), Bioreme-
diation Field Initiative Site Profile: Public Service
Company of Colorado (EPA/540/F-95/506D), Biore-
mediation Field Initiative Site Profile: Escambia Wood
Preserving Site (EPA/540/F-95/506G), and Bioreme-
diation Field Initiative Site Profile: Reilly Tar and Chemi-
cal Corporate Superfund Site (EPA/540/F-95/506H).
• Bioremediation in the Field Electronic Question-
naire (EPA/540/F-95/508).
• Bioremediation of Hazardous Wastes: Research, Devel-
opment, and Field Evaluations (EPA/600/F-95/076).
• Principles and Practices of Bioventing (EPA/540/R-
95/534).
• Bioremediation in the Field Bulletin, No. 12
(EPA/540/N-95/500).
These documents are available in Portable Document
Format (PDF) and require special viewing software
called Adobe Acrobat Reader to access them. The
Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Laboratory
(RSKERL) home page links to a site where users can
download this viewing software free of charge.
RSKERL, which conducts extensive work on subsur-
face bioremediation, also maintains a home page at
http://www.epa.gov/ada/kerrlab.html. The site,
which is linked to the TDB home page, contains a
number of useful information resources relevant to
bioremediation:
• A weekly synop sis of RSKERL's activities and recent
discoveries.
• The complete text of the Ground Water Issue Papers
based on RSKERL research. Many of these papers
are relevant to bioremediation techniques.
• An extensive bibliography of research articles on
subsurface remediation.
ORD's Treatment and Destruction Branch (TDB) is also
developing a WWW home page at http://
www.epa.gov/docs/ord/nrmrl/tdb.html. TDB's
home page, which will be on line by early June, will be
a resource for a significant amount of bioremediation
information.
After an introduction to the mission and goals of TDB,
visitors to the home page will be able to view descrip-
tions of the latest research that TDB's labs are conduct-
ing. Leading researchers from the labs will post
outlines of their work, including studies of bio venting,
in situ ground-water and soil bioremediation, and con-
fined treatment for sediments. Users will be invited to
contact these labs if they have questions or would like
further information. TDB will update this information
periodically as research in the labs progresses.
The TDB and RSKERL home pages add to the infor-
mation available via the ORD electronic bulletin board
system (BBS), which the Technology Transfer and Sup-
port Division has maintained for several years. On this
BBS, users can join different conferences or forums
dedicated to specific topics. The conferences also allow
users to communicate via electronic messages with
other BBS users. In addition, the BBS contains the ORD
Bibliographic Database, which can be used to search
all ORD publications dating back to 1976 by topic,
author, or other category. The call-in number is 513-
569-7610.
Back issues of Bioremediation in the Field can be ordered from EPA by calling 513-569-7562 and from NTIS by
calling 800-553-6847. When ordering, please specify the issue and publication number.
Issue #
1
2
3
4
Publication #
NTIS PB91-228023
EPA/540/2-91/007
NTIS PB92-224807
NTIS PB92-224708
To be added to the mailing list
Issue # Publication #
5
6
7
8
to receive
NTIS PB93-126175
EPA/540/N-92/002
EPA/540/N-92/004
EPA/540/N-93/001
Bioremediation in the Field,
Issue #
9
10
11
12
Publication #
EPA/540/N-93/002
EPA/540/N-94/500
EPA/540/N-94/501
EPA/540/N-95/500
call 513-569-7562.
-------
Bioremediation in the Field
New Bioremediation Publications Released
Due to EPA's continuing resolutions and the lack of an operating budget, the Office of Research and Development
(ORD) has limited ability to publish EPA documents. Below are a number of recently published papers that
describe bioremediation research being conducted in ORD laboratories. Reprints of articles can be obtained by
writing to the author whose name appears below in boldface type at: [Name of Author], U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, 26 West Martin Luther King Drive, Mail Stop 420, Cincinnati, OH 45268.
Bishop, D., and R. Govind. 1995. Development of
novel biofilters for treatment of volatile organic
compounds. In: Hinchee et al, eds. Biological
unit processes for hazardous waste treatment.
Columbus, OH: Battelle Press, pp. 219-226.
Fu, C, S. Pfanstiel, C. Gao, X. Van, R. Govind, and H.H.
Tabak. 1996. Studies on contaminant biodegrada-
tion in slurry, wafer, and compacted soil tube
reactors. Environ. Sci. Tech. 30(3):743-750.
Fu, C., S. Pfanstiel, C. Gao, X. Yan, R. Govind, and H.H.
Tabak. 1995. Studies on contaminant biodegrada-
tion in slurry, wafer, and compacted soil tube
reactors. Environ. Sci. Tech. (December).
Gao, C., R. Govind, and H.H. Tabak. 1995. Predicting
soil sorption coefficients of organic chemicals us-
ing neutral network model. Environ. Toxicol.
Chem.
Glaser, J.A. 1996. Development of a versatile compost
reactor system for treatment evaluation of haz-
ardous waste. Presented at The Engineering
Foundation's First International Conference on
Bioremediation of Surface and Subsurface Con-
tamination, Palm Coast, FL (January 21-26).
Glaser, J., and R.T. Lamar. 1995. Lignin-degrading
fungi as degraders of pentachlorophenol and
creosote in soil. In: Skipper, H.D., and R.F Turco,
eds. Bioremediation: Science and applications.
SSA Special Pub. No. 43. Madison, WI: Soil Sci-
ence of America, American Society of Agronomy,
and Crop Science Society.
Govind, R., C. Gao, and H.H. Tabak. An automated
system for simultaneous and continuous moni-
toring of oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide evo-
lution in respirometric bioreactors. Special ACS
Series Issue on Bioremediation. In preparation.
Gupta, M., M.T. Suidan, and G.D. Sayles. Modeling
kinetics of chloroform cometabolism in methano-
genic and sulfate-reducing environments. Water
Sci. Tech. In press.
Haines, J.R., E.L. Holder, K.I. Strohmeier, R.T. Her-
rington, and A.D. Venosa. Hydrocarbon-degrad-
ing microbial populations by a 96-well
most-probable-number procedure. J. Indus. Mi-
crobiol. In press.
Hutchins, S.R., D.E. Miller, FP Beck, A. Thomas, S.E.
Williams, G.D. Willis. 1995. Nitrate-based biore-
mediation of JP-4 fuel at Elgin AFB, FL: Pilot scale
demonstration. In: In Situ and On-Site Biorecla-
mation: The Third International Symposium, San
Diego, CA. Applied Bioremediation of Petroleum
Hydrocarbons. 3(6): 123-132. Columbus, OH: Bat-
telle Press.
Hutchins, S.R., J.T. Wilson, and D.H. Kampbell. 1995.
In situ bioremediation of a pipeline spill using
nitrate as the electron acceptor. In: In Situ and
On-Site Bioreclamation: The Third International
Symposium, San Diego, CA. Columbus, OH: Bat-
telle Press, pp. 143-154.
Kuman, U., R. Puligadda, J. Antia, R. Govind, and H.H.
Tabak. Biorecovery of metals from acid mine
drainage. Presented at the 1995 ACS, I&EC Spe-
cial Symposium. In: ACS Book Series. In prepara-
tion.
Kupferle et al. 1995. Anaerobic pretreatment of haz-
ardous waste leachates in publicly owned treat-
ment works. Water Environ. Res. 67:910-919.
Liang, R., J.G. Uber, and P.T. McCauley. 1995. Visuali-
zation of air-water flow in two-dimensional po-
rous media using visible light transmission.
Presented at a meeting of the American Geo-
physical Union, San Francisco, CA (November
27-December 1).
Lyon, W.G., C.A. West, M.L. Osborn, and G.W Sewell.
1995. Characterization of microbially available
organic carbon native to the vadose zone on an
aquifer. J. Environ. Chem. Quality A30(7):l,627-
1,639.
Miller, D.E., and S.R. Hutchins. 1995. Petroleum hy-
drocarbon biodegradation under mixed denitri-
fying/microaeropholic conditions. In: In Situ and
(Continued on page 8)
-------
Bioremediation in the Field
New Bioremediation Publications Released
(Continued from page 7)
On-Site Bioreclamation: The Third International
Symposium, San Diego, CA. Microbial Processes
for Bioremediation 3(8): 129-136. Columbus, OH:
Battelle Press.
Semprini, L., PK. Kitanidis, D.H. Kampbell, and J.T.
Wilson. 1995. Anaerobic transformation of chlo-
rinated aliphatic hydrocarbons in a sand aquifer
based on spatial chemical distributions. Water
Resour. Res. 31(4):1051-1062.
Smith, R.S., J.G. Uber, and P.T. McCauley. 1995. Deliv-
ery of liquids to the vadose zone for enhancement
of in situ bioremediation. Presented at a meeting
of the American Geophysical Union, San Fran-
cisco, CA (November 27-December 1).
Serial, G.A., F.L. Smith, M.T. Suidan, P. Biswas, and
R.C. Brenner. 1995. Evaluation of trickle bed
biofilter media for toluene removal. J. Air and
Waste Mgmt. Assoc. 45:801-810.
Tabak, H.H., et al. 1995. Methodology for testing bio-
degradability and for determining bioavailability
and biodegradation kinetics of toxic organics in
soil. In: Akin, C, R. Markruszewski, and J. Smith,
eds. Gas, oil, and environmental biotechnology V.
Chicago, IL. pp. 1-54.
Tabak, H.H., C. Gao, X. Van, L. Lai, S. Pfanstiel, and R.
Govind. 1995. Determination of bioavailability
and biodegradation kinetics of polycyclic aro-
matic hydrocarbons in soil. In: ACS Symposium
Series 607. 21:264-283.
Tabak, H.H., C. Gao, X. Van, L. Lai, S. Pfanstiel, C. Fu,
and R. Govind. 1993. Kinetics of biodegradation,
adsorption, and desorption of alkyl phenols and
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil slurry
systems. In: Akin, C., R. Markruszewski, and J.
Smith, eds. Gas, oil, and environmental biotech-
nology VI. Chicago, IL. pp. 27-95.
Tabak, H.H., R. Govind, C. Fu, and C. Gao. 1996.
Bioavailability and biodegradation kinetics pro-
tocol for organic pollutant compounds to achieve
environmentally acceptable endpoints during
bioremediation. Presented at the Engineering
Foundation Conference on Bioremediation of
Surface and Subsurface Contamination, Palm
Coast, FL (January 21-26). New York Annals of
Academy of Science.
Tabak, H.H., R. Govind, C. Fu, and C. Gao. 1995.
Bioavailability and biodegradation kinetics pro-
tocol for organic pollutant compounds to achieve
environmentally acceptable endpoints in soil
treatment. Presented at the Eighth International
Institute of Gas Technology Symposium on Gas,
Oil, and Environmental Biotechnology, Colorado
Springs, CO (December 11-13). In: Gas, oil, and
environmental biotechnology, VIII.
Tabak, H.H., R. Govind, C. Fu, and C. Gao. Bioavail-
ability and biodegradation kinetics protocol for
organic pollutant compounds to achieve environ-
mentally acceptable endpoints in soil treatment.
In: Proceedings of the 1995IGT Symposium. Sub-
mitted.
Tabak, H.H., R. Govind, C. Fu, and C. Gao. Bioavail-
ability and biokinetics protocol for organic soil
pollutants for application to the enhancement of
in situ and ex situ bioremediation. In: Norris, R.,
ed. Bioremediation. Submitted.
Tabak, H.H., R. Govind, C. Fu, and C. Gao. Biokinetics
and bioavailability protocol or organic pollutants
in soil to enhance bioremediation. To be pre-
sented at the AWMA Annual Meeting and Exhi-
bition, Nashville, TN (June 23-28). In: 1996
Proceedings of AWMA. Submitted.
Tabak, H.H., R. Govind, C. Fu, and C. Gao. Protocol
for determining bioavailability and biodegrada-
tion kinetics of organic soil pollutants in soil sys-
tems to enhance bioremediation of polluted soil
sites. In: Protocols in bioremediation. Humana
Press. Submitted.
Tabak, H.H., R. Govind, C. Fu, and C. Gao. Protocol for
determining bioavailability and biokinetics of or-
ganic pollutants in dispersed, compacted and intact
soil systems to enhance in situ bioremediation. J.
Indus. Microbiol. Special Ed. (June). Submitted.
Tabak, H.H., R. Govind, C. Fu, X. Van, and C. Gao.
1996. Development of bioavailability and bioki-
netics determination methods for organic pollut-
ants in soil to enhance in situ and on-site
bioremediation. Presented at the National Meet-
ing of AIChE, New Orleans, LA (February 25-29).
Environ. Prog.
Tabak, H.H., R. Govind, C. Fu, X. Yan, and C. Gao.
1995. Studies on development of soil bioavailabil-
ity models for enhancement of in situ bioreme-
diation. Presented at the International Chemical
Congress of Pacific Basin Societies, Honolulu, HI
(December 17-22).
Tabak, H.H., R. Govind, C. Fu, X. Yan, C. Gao, and S.
Pfanstiel. 1996. Development of bioavailability
and biokinetics determination methods for or-
ganic pollutants in soil to enhance in situ and
on-site bioremediation. Presented at the National
(Continued on page 9)
-------
Bioremediation in the Field
New Bioremediation Publications Released
(Continued from page 8)
Meeting of the AIChE, New Orleans, LA (Febru-
ary 25-29). Environ. Prog.
Tabak, H.H., R. Govind, C. Fu, X. Yan, C. Gao, and S.
Pfanstiel. 1995. Biokinetics and bioavailability
protocol for organic pollutants in soil to enhance
bioremediation. Presented at the Second Interna-
tional Congress on Environmental Toxicology
and Chemistry, Vancouver, BC (November 5-9).
Tabak, H.H., R. Govind, C. Fu, X. Yan, C. Gao, and S.
Pfansteil. 1995. Development of a protocol for
determining bioavailability and biokrnetics of or-
ganic pollutants to enhance in situ bioremedia-
tion. Presented at the International Chemical
Congress of Pacific Basin Societies, Honolulu, HI
(December 17-22).
Tabak, H.H., R. Govind, C. Fu, X. Yan, C. Gao, and S.
Pfansteil. Protocol for evaluating biokinetics and
environmentally attainable endpoints of polycy-
clic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil treatment. Spe-
cial ACS Series Issue on Bioremediation. In
preparation.
Tabak, H.H., R. Govind, C. Fu, X. Yan, C. Gao, and S.
Pfanstiel. Protocol for determining bioavailabil-
ity and biodegradation kinetics of toxic organic
soil pollutants to enhance in situ bioremediation.
ACS I&EC Division Special Symposium on
Emerging Technologies in Hazardous Waste
Treatment VI. In: ACS Series 1994. In press.
Tabak, H.H., R. Govind, S. Pfanstiel, C. Fu, X. Yan, and
C. Gao. 1995. Protocol development for determin-
ing kinetics of in situ bioremediation. In: Hinchee
et al., eds. Bioremediation 3(5):203-210.
U.S. EPA. 1995. An Emerging Technology Bulletin:
Process for the treatment of volatile organic carb-
on and heavy metal contaminated soil.
EPA/540/F-95/509.
U.S. EPA. 1995. Emerging Technology Bulletin. Two-
zone PCE bioremediation system. EPA/540/F-
95/510.
Venosa, A.D., J.R. Haines, and B.L. Eberhart. Screen-
ing of bacterial products for their crude oil biode-
gradation effectiveness. In: Protocols in
bioremediation. Humana Press. Submitted.
Venosa, A.D., M.T. Suidan, D. King, and B.A. Wrenn.
Use of hopane as a conservative biomarker for
monitoring the bioremediation effectiveness of
crude oil contaminating a sandy beach. J. Indus.
Microbiol. Submitted.
Venosa, A.D., M.T. Suidan, B.A. Wrenn, K.L.
Strohmeier, J.R. Haines, B.L. Eberhart, D. King,
and E. Holder. Bioremediation of an experimental
oil spill on the shoreline of Delaware Bay. Envi-
ron. Sci. Tech. (June). In press.
Weaver, J.W, J.T. Wilson, D.H. Kampbell, and M.E.
Randolph. 1995. Field-derived transformation
rates for modeling natural bioattenuation of
trichloroethene and its degradation products.
Published in the Proceedings of the Next Genera-
tion Computational Models Computational
Methods Conference. Society of Industrial & Ap-
plied Mathematics.
Wilson, J.T., and M.D. Jawson. 1995. Science needs for
implementation of bioremediation. In: Skipper,
H.D., and R.F. Turco, eds. Bioremediation: Science
and applications. SSSA Special Publication 43.
Madison, WI: Soil Science Society of America.
(17)293-303
Wilson, J.T., and G.W Sewell. 1995. Intrinsic bioreme-
diation of jet fuel contamination at George Air
Force Base. In: In Situ and On-Site Bioreclama-
tion: The Third International Symposium, San
Diego, CA. Intrinsic Bioremediation. 3(1):91-100.
Columbus, OH: Battelle Press.
Wilson, J.T., D.H. Kampbell, T. Wiedemeier, M.A.
Swanson, R.N., Miller, and J.E. Hansen. 1995. Pat-
terns of intrinsic bioremediation at two United
States Air Force Bases. In: In Situ and On-Site
Bioreclamation: The Third International Sympo-
sium, San Diego, CA. Intrinsic Bioremediation.
3(1):31-51. Columbus, OH: Battelle Press.
Wrenn, B.A., and A.D. Venosa. 1996. Selective enu-
meration of aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbon
degrading bacteria by a most-probable-number
technique. Canadian J. Microbiol. (March).
Wrenn, B.A., M.T. Suidan, K.L. Strohmeier, and A.D.
Venosa. Nutrient retention in the bioremediation
zone of a sandy beach. Spill Sci. Technol. Bull.
Submitted.
Wrenn, B.A., M.T. Suidan, K.L. Strohmeier, B.L. Eber-
hart, G.J. Wilson, and A.D. Venosa. Nutrient
transport during oil-spill bioremediation: Evalu-
ation with lithium as a conservative tracer. Water
Res. In preparation.
You, G., G.D. Sayles, M.J. Kupferle, I.S. Kim, and PL.
Bishop. Anaerobic DDT bio transformation: En-
hancement by application for surfactant and low
oxidation-reduction potential. Chemosphere. In
press.
-------
Bioremediation in the Field
EPA Updating
Bioremediation
in the Field
Search System
(BFSS)
EPA's Bioremediation Field Initiative is currently up-
dating the Bioremediation in the Field Search System
(BFSS), a PC-based database of information on waste
sites in the United States and Canada where bioreme-
diation is being tested or implemented, or has been
completed. The database provides information about
the site location, media, contaminants, treatment tech-
nologies, costs, and performance. BFSS users can
search the database electronically, view data on spe-
cific types of bioremediation sites, and print reports
containing selected information.
In addition to updating the existing sites in the data-
base, EPA plans to add about 50 new sites, bringing the
total number to over 500. To facilitate this process, EPA
has designed the Bioremediation in the Field Elec-
tronic Questionnaire (BFEQ), which site contacts can
use to submit or revise information about their sites
electronically. The anticipated release date of BFSS
Version 2.5 is August 1996.
BFSS is currently available on EPA's Alternative Treat-
ment Technology Information Clearinghouse (ATTIC,
703-908-2138), Cleanup Information (CLU-IN, 301-
589-8366), and Office of Research and Development
(ORD, 513-569-7610) electronic bulletin board systems.
BFSS is also available on diskette from EPA's National
Risk Management Research Laboratory (NRMRL); to
request a copy, call 513-569-7562. As a registered user,
you will receive EPA's quarterly Bioremediation in the
Field bulletin, as well as notices of system updates.
If you would like to receive updates of BFSS and other
information related to bioremediation, please call 513-
569-7562 and request to be placed on the bioremedia-
tion mailing list.
United States Office of Research and Office of Solid Waste and
Environmental Protection Development Emergency Response
Agency Washington, DC 20460 Washington, DC 20460
EPA/R-95/50aa July 1995
&EPA Bioremediation in the
Field Search System
(BFSS)
User Documentation
Printed on paper that contains at
least 50 percent recycled fiber.
Bioremediation Field Initiative Contacts
Fran Kremer, Ph.D.
Coordinator, Bioremediation Field Initiative
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Research and Development
26 West Martin Luther King Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45268
513-569-7346
Michael Forlini
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
5102G
Technology Innovation Office
Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
703-603-9901
The Bioremediation Field Initiative is a cooperative effort among the Technology Innovation Office (TIO), Office of Solid
Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER), and the Office of Science, Planning, and Regulatory Evaluation (OSPRE) and
Office of Environmental Engineering and Technology Demonstration (OEETD), Office of Research and Development
(ORD). Major contributors to the Initiative include the waste programs in the EPA Regional Offices and the following
laboratories in ORD: Ada, OK; Athens, GA; Cincinnati, OH; Gulf Breeze, FL; and Research Triangle Park, NC.
10
-------
Bioremediation in the Field
Phytoremediation
Field Work
Phytoremediation is the technology of using plants to
clean contaminated sites. Plants naturally remediate
contaminants through several mechanisms, depend-
ing on the contaminant and the plant. Some plants
degrade organic pollutants directly or indirectly by
supporting microbial communities. Other plants take
up inorganic contaminants from soil or water and
concentrate them in the plant tissue, where the con-
taminant can be removed and disposed of separately,
leaving the soil clean.
Proven at both greenhouse and pilot scale, phytoreme-
diation is too new to have widespread acceptance
among site managers, regulators, owners, and respon-
sible parties. The Superfund Innovative Technology
Evaluation (SITE) program, sponsored by EPA's Na-
tional Risk Management Research Laboratory, is at-
tempting to demonstrate and evaluate the
technology's efficacy and cost in the field at sites in
Oregon, Utah, Texas, and Ohio.
At a wood treatment site in Portland, Oregon, shallow
soil is contaminated with pentachlorophenol and
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Perennial ryegrass,
which grows well in the Northwest, has passed a
greenhouse treatability test on the site soil. The site has
been seeded and the irrigation system installed.
Greenhouse studies indicate that significant contami-
nant degradation should occur in two growing sea-
sons.
In Ogden, Utah, a combination of poplar trees, juniper
trees, alfalfa, and fescue has been planted to remediate
a petroleum spill which has polluted both the soil and
the ground water. Two-year-old hybrid poplars were
planted in three rows to form a subsurface interceptor
barrier in the saturated zone. Poplar poles (7 to 9 feet)
will be planted in the spring of 1996 to intercept an-
other part of the plume. This project involves Chevron
Research, Phytokinetics, Inc., and EPA's SITE pro-
gram.
On a U.S. Air Force facility near Forth Worth, Texas,
eastern cottonwood trees are being used to intercept a
part of a large trichloroethylene (TCE) ground-water
plume. The Air Force, the U.S. Geological Survey, and
EPA are starting a multiyear project not only to clean
up the ground-water pollution but also to evaluate the
difference between planting seedlings (whips) and
older trees (1 to iV^-inch caliper). The older trees cost
substantially more, but may send their roots to the
water table much more quickly. Because some of the
TCE could be transpired by the trees, researchers will
also investigate the mechanism of that transport.
In Ohio, a former metal plating site is a candidate for
a demonstration of phytoextraction of lead, cadmium,
and hexavalent chrome. Phytotech Inc., Ohio EPA, and
U.S. EPA will evaluate the effectiveness of Indian mus-
tard plants in uptaking the metals. Phytotech will use
standard agronomic practices and some proprietary
techniques to induce metals to accumulate in the plant
shoots in the percent levels. The plants will be har-
vested, then either disposed of or recycled for their
metals content. Two or three plantings per year are
expected.
For more information on these projects or to share
information about other field work in phytoremedia-
tion, contact Steve Rock (513-569-7149).
Regulatory Update
HWIR-Media
On April 29, 1996, EPA proposed a rule entitled "Re-
quirements for Management of Contaminated Media
(HWIR-Media)" (61 FR 18780), which addresses con-
taminated media currently subject to regulation as
hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act (RCRA). The rule's purpose is to
develop more flexible management standards for me-
dia and wastes generated in the course of site cleanups
(see Bioremediation in the Field No. 12, August 1995).
The public comment period for this proposed rule
ends on July 29,1996.
RCRA Subpart S Corrective Action
On May 1, 1996, EPA issued an Advanced Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking on "Corrective Action for Re-
leases From Solid Waste Management Units at Hazard-
ous Waste Management Facilities" (61 FR 19432). The
notice introduces EPA's strategy for promulgating cor-
rective action regulations and requests public input on
a variety of issues and concepts associated with correc-
tive action. The public comment period for this notice
ends on July 30,1996.
11
-------
Bioremediation in the Field
Notice of Availability:
Initiatives To
Promote Innovative
Technology in
Waste Management
Programs
EPA's Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response
(OSWER) has issued a directive containing initiatives
to support environmental technology development
and commercialization.
Environmental technology development and com-
mercialization are a top national priority Both public
and the private sectors have made considerable pro-
gress in developing and using new technologies in
Superfund, RCRA, and Underground Storage Tank
remediation programs. Nevertheless, significant chal-
lenges remain. Some problems have no effective solu-
tion; others require more cost-effective alternatives.
The initiatives in this directive place a high priority on
developing innovative treatment and characterization
technologies, reducing impediments (regulatory and
informational) to their development and use; and
sharing the risks of using innovative technologies.
Specific initiatives are designed to increase use of field
measurement and monitoring methods; focus atten-
tion on new approaches to ground-water remediation;
streamline regulatory approval processes and con-
sider alternatives to conventional permits; recognize
the promise of in situ approaches and the value of
federal facilities as "test beds" for technology develop-
ment; highlight the importance of accurate informa-
tion on technology performance and cost; and
encourage responsible-party consideration of promis-
ing alternatives through agreements to share the costs
if those alternatives fail.
The success of these initiatives depends on strong
partnerships between federal agencies, states, and the
private sector. While directed primarily to EPA pro-
grams, states pursuing innovation may find these in-
itiatives useful. A number of initiatives, such as
sharing risks and encouraging greater use of field
monitoring methods, are already under way.
To obtain copies of OSWER Policy Directive 9380.0-25
(EPA540/F96/012), contact:
National Center for Environmental Publications and
Information (NCEPI)
P.O. Box 42419
Cincinnati, OH 45242
Or fax orders to: 513-489-8695
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Research and
Development
Cincinnati, OH 45268
BULK RATE
POSTAGE & FEES PAID
EPA PERMIT NO. G-35
EPA/540/N-96/500
------- |