Monitoring laboratory-scale bioventing using synchronous scan fluorescencespectroscopy: analysis of the vapor phase

Bioventing is an improved method of soil remediation that is being used wit h increasing frequency. In this paper, we refine techniques to measure the progress of petroleum hydrocarbon decomposition by monitoring vapor phase c omposition with synchronous scan fluorescence spectroscopy (SSFS). Analysis of the vapor phase has advantages compared to standard extraction techniqu es that require extensive sample handling and clean up. For comparison, hyd rocarbon contamination in the soil was measured by analysis of Soxhlet extr actions with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Comparison of th e GC-MS and SSFS data showed that changes in hydrocarbon composition measur ed in the vapor phase provide an accurate measure of decomposition reaction s taking place in the soil. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reser ved.