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Anaerobic biotrickling filter for trichloroethylene removal from contaminated sites

Publication ,  Journal Article
Popat, SC; Deshusses, MA
Published in: In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation-2009: Proceedings of the 10th International In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation Symposium
November 27, 2009

Aerobic biotreatment of trichloroethylene(TCE)-laden soil vapor extraction gases has not found practical application because of its recalcitrance. This study looks at removing TCE from contaminated sites by anaerobic gas-phase biotreatment. An anaerobic biotrickling filter, inoculated with a mixed culture containing Dehalococcoides sp. removed TCE by converting it predominantly to ethylene with some formation and degradation of cis-dichloroethene (cis-DCE) and vinyl chloride (VC). Microorganisms from the Dehalococcoides genus are known to reduce chlorinated solvents while oxidizing hydrogen. Sodium lactate, a fermentable substrate, was provided to the reactor through the recirculating liquid as a source of hydrogen. The reactor removed >90% TCE at loadings of up to 4 gTCE mbed-3 h-1. The distribution of the intermediates of TCE biodegradation was found to be affected by the pH of the recirculating liquid with better conversion to ethylene (>50%) observed at pH 6.85, compared to only 10% conversion to ethylene at pH 8.3. Kinetic investigations using a batch biotrickling filter confirmed the trend observed in the distribution of intermediates. Overall, the study shows that anaerobic biotreatment of TCE-laden waste gases is possible and provides an alternative for remediation of contaminated sites.

Duke Scholars

Published In

In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation-2009: Proceedings of the 10th International In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation Symposium

Publication Date

November 27, 2009
 

Citation

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Popat, S. C., & Deshusses, M. A. (2009). Anaerobic biotrickling filter for trichloroethylene removal from contaminated sites. In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation-2009: Proceedings of the 10th International In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation Symposium.
Popat, S. C., and M. A. Deshusses. “Anaerobic biotrickling filter for trichloroethylene removal from contaminated sites.” In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation-2009: Proceedings of the 10th International In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation Symposium, November 27, 2009.
Popat SC, Deshusses MA. Anaerobic biotrickling filter for trichloroethylene removal from contaminated sites. In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation-2009: Proceedings of the 10th International In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation Symposium. 2009 Nov 27;
Popat, S. C., and M. A. Deshusses. “Anaerobic biotrickling filter for trichloroethylene removal from contaminated sites.” In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation-2009: Proceedings of the 10th International In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation Symposium, Nov. 2009.
Popat SC, Deshusses MA. Anaerobic biotrickling filter for trichloroethylene removal from contaminated sites. In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation-2009: Proceedings of the 10th International In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation Symposium. 2009 Nov 27;

Published In

In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation-2009: Proceedings of the 10th International In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation Symposium

Publication Date

November 27, 2009