Type of Document	Master's Thesis
Author	Mattson, Kelli M
Author's Email Address	kmattson@vt.edu
URN	etd-02012005-111012
Title	Investigating the Biostimulating Effects of ESO Addition to a TCE Contaminated Site
Degree	Master of Science
Department	Environmental Sciences and Engineering
Advisory Committee	Advisor Name Title Novak, John T. Committee Co-Chair Widdowson, Mark A. Committee Co-Chair Schreiber, Madeline E. Committee Member
Keywords	TCE Bioremediation Emulsified Soybean Oil Microcosms Biostimulant
Date of Defense	2004-11-17
Availability	restricted
Abstract Investigating the Biostimulating Effects of ESO Addition to a TCE Contaminated Site Kelli M. Mattson Abstract Remediation of chlorinated ethene contaminated sites presents a problem for the environmental industry. Many innovative technologies exist to remove these chemicals from the subsurface; however, most of these technologies require extensive time and incur significant cost. A technology called bioremediation utilizes microorganisms to break down contaminants such as perchloroethene (PCE), trichloroethene (TCE), dichloroethene (DCE), and vinyl chloride (VC) to non-toxic compounds in a process called reductive dechlorination. Microorganisms that are capable of dechlorination usually require reducing conditions as well as bioavailable hydrogen and carbon sources. Emulsified vegetable oil has emerged as a cost-effective source of degradable organic matter to facilitate reductive dechlorination in the subsurface. Through ƒÒ-oxidation, microorganisms can break down the long chain fatty acids in vegetable oil into smaller fatty acids such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate. The fermentation of the oil provides reduced conditions as well as a slow release of hydrogen and carbon into the subsurface. This study consisted of an evaluation the effectiveness of emulsified vegetable oil in stimulating reductive dechlorination using sixteen laboratory microcosms constructed from soil and groundwater from an aquifer contaminated with TCE located at the Naval Weapons Station in Charleston, South Carolina. Each microcosm was monitored for chloroethenes, volatile fatty acids, long chain fatty acids, and total carbon on a weekly basis. Results show successful fermentation of fatty acids and reduced conditions favorable for dechlorination.
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