Treatability study to evaluate in situ chlorinated solvent and pesticide bioremediation

Exploiting microbial reactions to remediate chlorinated solvents and pesticide contamination appeared to be an attractive remedial alternative for a site located at the Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware. To generate data to evaluate the feasibility of implementing enhanced in situ bioremediation as a remedial technique, a relatively inexpensive and rapid treatability study was designed. Batch microcosm studies were used to mimic in situ redox conditions (oxygenated and unoxygenated) and methanotrophic conditions. No evidence of target compound degradation existed under either the amended or unamended aerobic conditions; however, the activity observed in some samples under anaerobic conditions suggested transformation of chlorinated compounds and pesticides. Results showed that biodegradation may be inducible under certain conditions, but time lags and efficiencies could be expected to vary considerably. A remedial alternative analysis could not be expected to achieve the degree of accuracy and precision necessary without the data resulting from this study.