Biodegradation and sorption of organic solvents and hydrocarbon fuel constituents in subsurface environments. Final report, October 1983-September 1986

The biodegradation and sorption of chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents and hydrocarbon fuel constituents in subsurface environments were investigated to provide information for development of optimal strategies for decontamination of polluted ground water. Biodegradation studies revealed that subsurface microorganisms growing aerobically on light aliphatic hydrocarbons can co-metabolically degrade trichloroethylene and related compounds which are normally recalcitrant to biodegradation in aerobic subsurface environments. This process has high potential as a basis for ground-water reclamation methodologies, as illustrated by further studies employing laboratory-scale fixed film bioreactors. Other biodegradation work indicated that light aromatic hydrocarbons, which are usually considered not to biodegrade under anaerobic conditions, can have a biological fate in anoxic subsurface environments.