Oxygen release kinetics from solid phase oxygen in Arctic Alaska

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Soil Remediation
• Bioremediation

Background:

• Petroleum contamination at Child's Pad, Alaska, necessitated a remedial action plan.
• A buffer strip with Oxygen Release Compound (ORC) was implemented to facilitate aerobic petroleum degradation.
• ORC is a magnesium peroxide formulation designed to release oxygen for microbial activity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the oxygen release kinetics of ORC in contact with barrier soil.
• To investigate the biotic and abiotic mechanisms of oxygen release from ORC.
• To assess the impact of temperature and field exposure on ORC performance.

Main Methods:

• Laboratory studies quantified initial oxygen release rates from ORC.
• Catalytic conversion of hydrogen peroxide and ORC to oxygen and water was analyzed.
• Oxygen evolution rate (OER) was measured at different temperatures (7°C and 21°C).
• ORC viability was assessed after field exposure at Child's Pad.

Main Results:

• Barrier soil demonstrated sufficient catalytic activity to exceed biological oxygen demand.
• Oxygen evolution rate from ORC was more than two times lower at 7°C compared to 21°C.
• ORC recovered after less than one year retained nearly all available oxygen, despite physical bridging.

Conclusions:

• The barrier soil effectively catalyzes oxygen release from ORC.
• Temperature significantly influences the oxygen release rate of ORC.
• ORC remains largely viable and retains oxygen potential after field deployment in cold climates.