Protocol for Enhanced In Situ Bioremediation Using Emulsified Edible Oil Prepared by: May 2006 Distribution Statement A: Approved for Public Release This report was prepared for the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) by Solutions-IES, Inc. (Solutions-IES) and representatives from ESTCP. In no event shall either the United States Government or Solutions-IES have any responsibility or liability for any consequences of any use, misuse, inability to use, or reliance upon the information contained herein, nor does either warrant or otherwise represent in any way the accuracy, adequacy, efficacy, or applicability of the contents hereof. This protocol focuses on the application of edible oil emulsions to provide a long-lived carbon source to enhance anaerobic bioremediation of contaminants in groundwater. The use of emulsified oils for groundwater remediation is patented by US Patent No. 6,398,9060. International patents are pending. To discuss applications of this technology please contact: ¾ Dr. Bob Borden of Solutions-IES at 919-873-1060 or [email protected] TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION 1 USING THE EMULSIFIED OIL PROCESS .......................................................1 1.1 INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 INTENDED USE OF THIS DOCUMENT............................................................................... 2 1.3 OVERVIEW OF ENHANCED ANAEROBIC BIOREMEDIATION..................................... 2 1.3.1 APPLICABLE CONTAMINANTS ................................................................................... 3 1.3.2 SUITABLE SITE CONDITIONS ...................................................................................... 4 1.3.3 MICROBIOLOGY ............................................................................................................. 4 1.3.4 SUBSTRATES ................................................................................................................... 4 1.4 THE EMULSIFIED OILS PROCESS ...................................................................................... 5 1.4.1 APPLICATION METHODS.............................................................................................. 5 1.4.2 TREATMENT SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONS................................................................ 6 1.5 PROCEEDING WITH THE EMULSIFIED OIL PROCESS................................................... 8 SECTION 2 IMPACT OF EMULSIFIED OILS ON CONTAMINANT TRANSPORT AND FATE ...................................................................................................................................10 2.1 ENHANCED ANAEROBIC BIOREMEDIATION USING EDIBLE OILS......................... 10 2.1.1 CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL COMPOSITION OF EDIBLE OILS ............................ 11 2.1.2 ANAEROBIC FERMENTATION OF EDIBLE OIL ...................................................... 15 2.1.3 ENHANCED ANAEROBIC BIOREMEDIATION......................................................... 17 2.1.3.1 Reductive Dechlorination of Chlorinated Ethenes............................................... 17 2.1.3.2 Anaerobic Biodegradation of Perchlorate............................................................ 19 2.1.3.3 Anaerobic Biodegradation of Explosives ............................................................ 22 2.1.3.4 Microbiology of Other Contaminants.................................................................. 23 2.2 IMPACT OF RESIDUAL EDIBLE OIL ON CONTAMINANT SORPTION ...................... 23 2.3 SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS .............................................................................................. 25 SECTION 3 INJECTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF EMULSIFIED OILS........................26 3.1 PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF EDIBLE OILS AND EDIBLE OIL EMULSIONS .......................................................................................................................... 26 3.1.1 PROPERTIES OF PURE OILS........................................................................................ 26 3.1.1.1 Water Solubility and Interfacial Tension............................................................. 26 3.1.1.2 Density................................................................................................................. 27 3.1.1.3 Viscosity .............................................................................................................. 28 3.1.2 PROPERTIES OF OIL-IN-WATER EMULSIONS ........................................................ 28 3.1.2.1 Emulsion Preparation........................................................................................... 28 3.1.2.2 Emulsion Solubility and Interfacial Tension ....................................................... 32 i TABLE OF CONTENTS 3.1.2.3 Density................................................................................................................. 32 3.1.2.4 Viscosity .............................................................................................................. 32 3.1.3 IMPACT OF OIL AND EMULSION PROPERTIES ON MATERIAL HANDLING AND INJECTION ............................................................................................................ 34 3.2 INJECTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF EDIBLE OIL EMULSIONS ................................. 34 3.2.1 PROCEDURES FOR INJECTION OF EDIBLE OIL EMULSIONS.............................. 38 3.2.1.1 Injection System Setup ........................................................................................ 38 3.2.1.2 Emulsion Injection Wells..................................................................................... 41 3.2.1.3 Emulsion and Water Injection ............................................................................. 42 SECTION 4 APPROACHES FOR FULL-SCALE APPLICATION OF EMULSIFIED OILS..............................................................................................................................................43 4.1 INITIAL SITE SCREENING ................................................................................................. 43 4.1.1 CONTAMINANTS .......................................................................................................... 43 4.1.2 RISKS TO CRITICAL RECEPTORS.............................................................................. 44 4.1.3 AQUIFER PERMEABILITY........................................................................................... 44 4.2 REMEDIATION OBJECTIVES............................................................................................. 44 4.3 CONCEPTUAL SITE MODEL.............................................................................................. 45 4.3.1 HYDROGEOLOGY......................................................................................................... 45 4.3.1.1 Depth to Groundwater ......................................................................................... 45 4.3.1.2 Hydraulic Conductivity........................................................................................ 46 4.3.1.3 Groundwater Flow ............................................................................................... 46 4.3.2 CONTAMINANT DISTRIBUTION................................................................................ 46 4.3.2.1 Source Area Size.................................................................................................. 46 4.3.2.2 Plume Size ........................................................................................................... 46 4.3.3 GEOCHEMISTRY ........................................................................................................... 47 4.3.3.1 Sulfate/Sulfides.................................................................................................... 47 4.3.3.2 Dissolved Oxygen, Nitrate, Iron, Manganese and Oxidation-Reduction Potential47 4.3.3.3 pH and Alkalinity................................................................................................. 48 4.3.4 MICROBIOLOGY ........................................................................................................... 48 4.3.4.1 Reductive Dechlorination of Chloroethenes........................................................ 48 4.3.4.2 Bioaugmentation.................................................................................................. 49 4.4 CONCEPTUAL DESIGN....................................................................................................... 50 4.4.1 TREATMENT ZONE LAYOUT ..................................................................................... 50 4.4.1.1 Source Area ......................................................................................................... 50 ii TABLE OF CONTENTS 4.4.1.2 Permeable Reactive Barrier ................................................................................. 51 4.4.2 ADDITIONAL PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS......................................................... 51 4.4.2.1 Secondary Water Quality Issues .......................................................................... 52 4.4.2.2 Soil Gas Emissions .............................................................................................. 52 4.5 DETAILED DESIGN OF AN EMULSIFIED OIL PROJECT............................................... 53 4.5.1 AMOUNT OF OIL REQUIRED...................................................................................... 53