Stable Carbon Isotope Ratios and Biodegradation Rates of BTEX Compounds at the Tranguch Gasoline Site, Hazelton, Pennsylvania

摘要

In April 2002, NRL sampled groundwater at the Tranguch Gasoline Site (TGS), located in Hazelton, Pennsylvania. The goal of this study was to determine the rates and efficacy of on-site bacterial fuel hydrocarbon biodegradation; measure the overall metabolic activity and state of the on-site bacterial consortia; and determine fuel hydrocarbon stable isotope ratios. Mineralization rates were relatively high, and calculated turnover (removal of ambient pool) times for benzene and toluene were on the order of days. The exception was OSMW-02, which had a benzene turnover time of about 5 months. In wells with appreciable BTEX, mineralization of benzene and toluene accounted for (caret)100% of the calculated production. From compound-specific stable carbon isotope analysis, it was determined that the BTEX in each well was significantly different from the BTEX of every other well.