Prediction of complete bioremediation periods for PAH soil pollutants in different physical states by mechanistic models

Mass-transfer models and biodegradation models were developed for three the oretical physical states of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil . These mechanistic models were used to calculate the treatment periods nec essary for complete removal of the PAH pollutants from the soil under batch conditions. Results indicate that the bioremediation of PAI-Is in such sys tems is mainly mass-transfer limited. The potential for bioremediation as a treatment technique for PAH contaminated soils is therefore mainly determi ned by the mass-transfer dynamics of PAHs, Under mass-transfer limited cond itions simplified mathematical models, based on the assumption of a zero di ssolved PAH concentrations, can be used to predict the period of time neede d for complete bioremediation. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights re served.