A NUMERICAL-MODEL FOR SIMULATION OF BIOREMEDIATION OF HYDROCARBONS INAQUIFERS

A numerical model was developed to describe the bioremediation of hydr ocarbons in ground water aquifers considering aerobic degradation. The model solves the independent transport of three solutes (oxygen, hydr ocarbons, and microorganisms) in ground water flow using the method of characteristics. Interactions between the three solutes, in which oxy gen and hydrocarbons are consumed by microorganisms, are represented b y Monod kinetics, solved using a Runge-Kutta method. Model simulations showed good correlation as compared with results of soil column exper iments. The model was used to estimate the time needed to remediate th e columns, which varied from one to two years.