FIELD-TEST AND MATHEMATICAL-MODELING OF BIOREMEDIATION OF AN OIL-CONTAMINATED SOIL .1. FIELD-TEST

A fire-wall area (about 270' x 310') with the Bunker C oil contaminate d soil was. selected for the bioremediation field test. This fire-wall area was separated into 18 plots by dirt dikes to test 6 bioremediati on methods with three tests of each method. The six treatment methods were: a) Aeration with basic nutrients and indigenous organisms (BNIO) ; b) Aeration with basic nutrients and inoculation from a refinery was tewater treatment facility (BNSIWT); c) Aeration with an oleophilic fe rtilizer and indigenous organisms (INIPOL); d) Aeration with basic nut rients and biosurfactant organisms (EPA Seal Beach consortia) (EPA); e ) Aeration with proprietary nutrients and organisms (PRO); and f) Aera tion only for active control (CONTROL). This field test was conducted for 91 days. In general the oil contents in 18 plots were reduced, but the results showed significant fluctuations. A statistical method was used to examine if the oil reductions of six methods were the results from the random error of sampling and sample analysis or biodegradati on. The results of the statistical analysis showed that oil reduction was concluded from all but the plots of PRO. From the data analysis, i t may be concluded that the oil reduction rate in these studies is con trolled by oil transfer from soil into the aqueous solution. An exampl e of calculation was used to illustrate this conclusion.