EFFECT OF OXYGEN AMENDMENTS AND SOIL-PH ON BIOREMEDIATION OF INDUSTRIALLY CONTAMINATED SOILS

Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by-products of coal conversio n processes, have contaminated soils near coal plant sites either thro ugh accidental spills or systematic discharge. Because these compounds are carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic, remediation of such site s is a legitimate concern. For this study, contaminated soil samples w ere obtained from the Alberta Research Council (ARC) primary clean-up facility. Preliminary analysis of the soil was none for contaminant ch aracterization and determination of initial contamination levels. Acin etobacter sp. was used for aerobic treatment of soil over a five-week period under optimum conditions. Because the rate of biodegradation is influenced by the pH, it is of interest to study the effect of pH on remediation efficiency in the physiological pH range of 5.0 to 9.0. Al so, oxygen amendment via hydrogen peroxide solution was used to improv e remediation in a packed bed, and the results were compared with thos e obtained under completely mixed conditions.