Biostimulation

AquAeTer was retained by this client to develop an alternative groundwater treatment system option for a client with a closed wood treating site. The treatment area was located in a remote area with limited access to electricity. AquAeTer designed an in-situ aerobic biostimulation method for the bioremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) identified at the site.

A passive, gravity-fed inoculation system was designed to continuously apply AquAeTer’s patented bio-stimulant though a series of injection wells with no power required. Additional wells were installed upgradient from the injection wells for background groundwater quality and downgradient for monitoring the inoculant’s movement and degradation of PAHs. Monthly sampling for degradation and biological activity demonstrated the success of this project. In the 5-month test period, 82% of the PAHs were degraded and a half-life of less than 30 days for all PAHs was achieved. This was an order of magnitude quicker than traditional literature reported aerobic decay and 100 times faster than the pre-existing anaerobic decay pathway. AquAeTer’s design provided a sustainable remedial alternative with low-volume of biostimulant required. The system is now patented due to its success on several sites.

AquAeTer provided the following services to its client for this sampling and reporting project:

• Design, implementation, and monitoring plan
• Engineering design calculations for chemical and biological activities
• Construction of treatment system
• Effective remediation of PAHs resulting from creosote/oil mixtures
• Returned groundwater environment to its natural state
• AquAeTer Patented process