A field demonstration was conducted to demonstrate the ability to accelerate in situ bioremediation of perchlorate in a deep aquifer (100 feet below ground surface) at the Aerojet Superfund Site in Sacramento, California. Perchlorate biodegradation was readily initiated, without apparent lag, through acetate addition. Perchlorate concentrations in the pilot test area groundwater declined from 12,000 μg/L to less than the Provisional Action Level (PAL) of 18μg/L and even the method detection limit (MDL) of 4 μg/L within 15 feet of the electron donor delivery well. The in situ perchlorate biodegradation half-life ranged from 0.2 to 1.8 days, which is consistent with rates calculated from laboratory microcosm studies for this site. As a benefit, perchlorate biodegradation did not require highly reducing conditions, and appears to have minimal impact on secondary water quality parameters. These data confirm that in situ bioremediation will be a viable and cost-effective treatment technology for perchlorate-impacted groundwater.
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