A FIELD STUDY TO QUANTITATE IMPORTANT CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL PROCESSES IN NATURAL ATTENUATION

Key Words: Biodégradation, bioremediation, groundwater clean-up, hydrocarbons, organic contamination, natural attenuation

Summary

In order to study the geochemical and biochemical processes which contribute to Natural Attenuation of hydrocarbons in ground water systems, a subsurface residual NAPL hydrocarbon mixture was emplaced in the heterogeneous aquifer at the Columbus AFB, MS groundwater test site. Changes in aqueous and aquifer solid geochemistry and microbiology, indicative of Natural Attenuation, are being monitored as the dissolved hydrocarbon plume is formed by groundwater flow under natural hydraulic gradients. Understanding the biogeochemisrty of the aquifer will allow a better understanding of mechanisms and rates of processes which contribute to Natural Attenuation. This, hopefully, will allow us to identify easily measured indicators Natural Attenuation, and produce a scientifically validate guides for implementation.