ANALYSIS OF THE VIABILITY OF PEA GRAVEL AS A DIFFUSING MATERIAL FOR BIOSTIMULATION SYSTEMS IN HYDROCARBON-CONTAMINATED SOILS
Date
2024-03-26
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
Type
Thesis
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
Biostimulation requires the supply of stimulating agents to indigenous microorganisms to increase hydrocarbon degradation rates. One of the challenges of biostimulation systems is the proper injection and diffusion of the biostimulatory solution in the soil. Pea gravel is an inexpensive, highly porous material with high hydraulic conductivity and permeability. Implementing a gravel backfill in hydrocarbon-contaminated sites to inject the biostimulatory solution is believed to reduce implementation and operational costs compared with traditional biostimulation injection systems. In this study, I assessed the viability of pea gravel as a diffusing material for a biostimulatory solution. The adsorption capacity of pea gravel, the capability of the weathered solution to degrade benzene, and potential biofouling were evaluated when pea gravel columns were dosed with a) biostimulatory solution (termed “IRC solution” for the purposes of the following work) and b) Milli-Q water (ultrapure water). Results indicate no statistical differences between the fresh and the weathered biostimulatory solution regarding availability of electron acceptors and capability to stimulate benzene degradation. Columns treated with IRC solution exhibited more bacterial growth than columns treated with water, but biofouling was not observed. The present study presented successful preliminary laboratory results of the viability of pea gravel as backfill material for injecting a biostimulatory solution. Further studies must be performed in situ to determine the process's effectiveness and potential associated challenges.
Description
Keywords
Biostimulation, Hydrocarbons, Pea gravel
Citation
Degree
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Department
Soil Science
Program
Soil Science