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Hydrocarbon infiltration and biodegradation in a landfarming experiment
J Oudot1, A Ambles, S Bourgeois
1Laboratoire de Cryptogamie, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, URA, CNRS 133, 12 rue Buffon, 75005 Paris, France.
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Medium molecular weight hydrocarbons were effectively biodegraded in soil, with 94% removal in field tests over 3.5 years. Microbial activity concentrated in the upper soil layer, with minimal risk to groundwater.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Soil Science
- Microbiology
Background:
- Hydrocarbon contamination poses environmental risks.
- Understanding hydrocarbon fate in soil is crucial for remediation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the infiltration and biodegradation of medium molecular weight hydrocarbons in soil.
- To assess the effectiveness of natural attenuation processes.
Main Methods:
- Field and lysimeter experiments were conducted.
- Hydrocarbon weathering monitored by gravimetry and gas chromatography.
- Vertical distribution and composition of hydrocarbons analyzed.
Main Results:
- 94% of fossil hydrocarbons removed in field, 83% in lysimeter after 3.5 years.
- Biodegradation active in the top 30 cm of soil.
- Hydrocarbons infiltrated to 60-80 cm depth; light fractions preferentially infiltrated in lysimeters.
Conclusions:
- Microbial degradation is effective for medium molecular weight hydrocarbons in soil.
- Undegraded residues include cyclic alkanes and aromatics.
- Leaching risk to groundwater is low, with microbial activity contributing to soil organic carbon.