Bioremediatiion of Hydrocarbon Contaminated Soil

Landfarming: Aerobic Bioremediation

Landfarming is an above-ground remediation technology for reducing concentrations of petroleum products through aerobic bioremediation.  This technology usually involves spreading contaminated soil in a thin layer on the ground and stimulating aerobic microbial activity within the soil through aeration and the addition of nutrients, surfactants and moisture.

The BioSolve® Company offers two products used to accelerate bioremediation activity: BioSolve® Activator and BioSolve® Hydrovent.  Activator is a proprietary formulation of surfactants and other specialty chemicals that mobilizes oil trapped in the soil, releasing it into the aqueous phase to improve bioavailability – accelerating naturally occurring microbiological processes.  Hydrovent is a formulation of bioremediation nutrients blended with Activator.

Customers have a choice of purchasing blended package with nutrients (Hydrovent) or a surfactant formulation alone (Activator), which can be applied with their own nutrients.  Regardless of the choice, nutrients, in the form of nitrogen and phosphorus, are required to sustain bioremediation activity.

Under favorable conditions (involving temperature, aeration, moisture, pH, nutrients and an active microbiological colony suitable for hydrocarbon degradation), contamination levels in soil may be reduced by up to 90% in less than 45 days using aerobic bioremediation alone.

Objective

Accelerate bioremediation activity to achieve remediation goals in a timely and cost-effective manner.

The BioSolve® Advantage

  • Easy-to-use and cost effective compared to many “dig and haul” options.
  • Typical projects require only standard equipment: mixing tanks, hoses, applicators, rototillers, etc.
  • May be applied directly to the soil for surface contamination or used on land farms to treat stockpiled material

Application Guidelines

Aerobic bioremediation is a living process sensitive to environmental conditions.  Successful bioremediation requires that conditions in the soil are favorable for the bacteria that will ultimately convert hydrocarbons to carbon dioxide and water.  Unfavorable conditions will slow or even stop bioremediation.

  • Soil Assessment. Analyze soil for TPH, heavy metals, salinity, pH and other rate inhibiting factors.  Confirm soil is suitable for bioremediation.
  • Prepare Soil for Treatment. For highly contaminated soil (TPH>50,000 ppm), blend with clean or less contaminated soil; adjust pH and add organic material as required to hold moisture and support good aeration.
  • Begin Treatment. Spread contaminated soil over treatment area to a depth of not more than 10 inches.  Apply amendments (Hydrovent or Activator & nutrients); adjust moisture as required and mix thoroughly.
  • Turn or till soil to aerate, assuring an even supply of oxygen to the bacteria.  Adjust moisture as needed.
  • Every 7 – 14 Days. Reapply amendments (based on level of contamination and level of microbiological activity.  Adjust moisture and mix thoroughly to evenly distribute amendments and moisture,

Small Roadside Spills.

It may be possible to use aerobic bioremediation to treat small roadside spills or to treat effluent generated during roadway spill cleanup using BioSolve® products that may be washed into a roadside culvert or ditch.

  • For treating a spill, apply BioSolve® Hydrovent following product application directions. Mix thoroughly into the soil and keep treatment area watered.  For best results aerate weekly by tilling soil.
  • For treating effluent that contains BioSolve® Pinkwater or BioSolve® Activator, broadcast about 1 pound of good quality fertilizer, with a rating of 30-10-0, per 30 square feet of contaminated soil. Mix thoroughly into the soil, preferably to a depth of at least 6 inches.  Keep site well-watered.  For best results, aerate weekly by tilling the soil.

Always confirm that proposed treatment protocol complies with applicable local, state and federal regulations.

Hydrovent is generally applied as an 8% solution and Activator is applied as a 1% - 2% solution depending on the level of contamination.  Do not prepare amendments using chlorinated water.

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FIELD APPLICATIONS Pinkwater Clear Activator Hydrovent
Surfactant Enhanced Aquifer Remediation
Aerobic Biodegradation of Impacted Soil
Insitu Spill Remediation
Land Farming & Biopiles
Industrial Maintenance
UST & AST Cleaning/Degassing
Subfloor/Interstitular Decomntamination
Vapor/Odor Control
MGP Site & Brownfield Remediation
Stabilization/Solidification
Excavation in Impacted Soil
Hydrocarbon Spill Response
Spill Clean-Up
Equipment Decontamination