Masters Theses

Abstract

"The primary objective of this study was to examine biotreatability of contaminated soil and groundwater from a wood treatment site in slurry-phase with indigenous microbial population. The effect of non-ionic surfactant on biodegradation of PAHs in a slurry-phase bioreactor was also examined. Study involved initial characterization of contaminants and correlation of contamination with soil particle size. This was followed by experiments on slurry-phase biodegradation both in absence and presence of non-ionic surfactant TMN-10. Biotreatment experiments were carried out either with indigenous or "acclimated" microbial population. Emphasis was placed on degradation of 2-4 ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Results of the experiments show that, the largest fraction of contaminants (greater than 70 percent) was associated with soil particles of average diameter less than 250 microns. The acclimated microbial population are capable of degrading PAHs in an efficient manner. The degradation efficiency achieved was 96 to 99 percent for acenaphthylene, phenanthrene and anthracene. The degradation of higher molecular weight PAHs such as fluoranthene and chrysene was somewhat lower and ranged between 80-95 percent. The slurry-phase system was very efficient for degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons and approximately 90 percent of petroleum hydrocarbons (linear and branched alkanes) were biodegraded in thirty day period. These studies demonstrate that biodegradation in slurry-phase is efficient and holds potential for decontamination of soil and groundwater"--Abstract, page iv.

Advisor(s)

TerKonda, Purush
Kapila, Shubhender

Committee Member(s)

Lentz, Rodney

Department(s)

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Civil Engineering

Sponsor(s)

Hazardous Substance Research Center
United States. Environmental Protection Agency
Kansas State University
Southern California Edison. Environmental Affairs Division

Publisher

University of Missouri--Rolla

Publication Date

Spring 1997

Pagination

ix, 58 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 55-57).

Rights

© 1997 Sreedhar Dutt Palepu, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Restricted Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Thesis Number

T 7306

Print OCLC #

37684039

Electronic OCLC #

993707129

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