Effects of Bioaugmentation on Disintegration of Benzene using Permeable Reactive Barrier

Most of experts in the world on water related fields agree that water will be very soon the coming subject for environmental stress. Aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene are ubiquitous groundwater contaminate and cause worldwide environmental problems. They are known as major recalcitrant compounds and are also known to be carcinogenic to humans and other animals. These handicaps are caused by fractures of pipelines, leakage from underground storage facilities, leakage due to transmission, as well as accidents. Among in situ bioremediation technologies, the use of Permeable reactive barriers (PRBs) has grown as a way with high efficiency and minimal maintenance costs. The bioremediation of benzene in soils is often limited by the aeration. The use of oxygen releasing compounds (ORCs) for bioremediation in a PRB system may offer several unique advantages when dealing with contaminant plumes. Therefore, in the present study, at first a strain with the ability to form biofilms and degradation of benzene were separated from groundwater. Afterward, the effect of bio-augmentation in the presence of strains and Oxygen Releasing Compound (ORC) on degradation of benzene in underground water using pilot reactors of Permeable Reactive Barrier (PRB) which were filled with sand and glass beads was studied. Biodegradation of benzene resulted in stable operation of the system during 70 days of experimentation. In addition, the results showed that bio-augmentation is proposed as a fully functional and economical technology by addition of microorganisms to remove pollutants.

کلیدواژه ها:

Biofilm ، Benzene ، Oxygen Released Compounds ، Permeable Reactive Bio Barrier