Regression techniques and analytical solutions to demonstrate intrinsic bioremediation

It is now generally recognized that a major factor responsible for the attenuation and mass reduction of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) in groundwater plumes is hydrocarbon biodegradation by indigenous microorganisms in aquifer material. Their objective is to apply well-known regression techniques and analytical solutions to estimate the contribution of advection, dispersion, sorption, and biodecay to the overall attenuation of petroleum hydrocarbons. These calculations yield an apparent biodecay rate based on field data. This biodecay rate is a significant portion of the overall attenuation in stable, dissolved hydrocarbon plumes.