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A dynamic risk-based framework for BTEX bioremediation: integrating micro-exposure events and optimization strategies
Hadi Mouraki Aliabad1, Saeed Alimohammadi2
1Dept. of Civil, Water and Environmental Engineering Faculty, Shahid Beheshti Univ., P.O. Box 16765-1719, Bahar Blvd., Hakimieh, Tehran 1658953571, Iran.
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)
|May 17, 2025
Summary
A new framework uses Micro-Exposure Events (MEE) for dynamic risk assessment in groundwater bioremediation of BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene) contamination, improving accuracy and reducing costs.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Hydrogeology
- Risk Assessment
Background:
- Groundwater contamination by BTEX compounds presents significant environmental and health risks, especially in complex industrial hydrogeological settings.
- Conventional risk models often overlook short-term contaminant spikes, leading to inaccurate health risk estimations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel, dynamic framework for in situ bioremediation of BTEX-contaminated groundwater.
- To integrate the Micro-Exposure Event (MEE) method for high-resolution, time-sensitive health risk assessment.
- To address geological complexity and optimize remediation strategies for cost-efficiency and health protection.
Main Methods:
- Coupling advanced simulation tools (MODFLOW 6, MT3D-USGS) with adaptive optimization algorithms (Genetic Algorithm for spatial optimization, Differential Evolution for temporal adjustment).
- Utilizing the Micro-Exposure Event (MEE) method for evaluating individual exposure events and identifying short-term contaminant spikes.
- Implementing a simulation-optimization framework for ten-year remediation planning.
Main Results:
- Achieved a 92% reduction in benzene concentrations.
- Maintained health risk levels below the U.S. EPA threshold of 1 × 10-6.
- Reduced total operational costs by 18% compared to baseline scenarios.
Conclusions:
- The proposed framework effectively balances environmental performance, cost-efficiency, and health protection in groundwater remediation.
- The dynamic MEE-based risk evaluation linked with simulation-optimization offers a replicable and scalable approach for managing BTEX pollution in complex subsurface environments.
- This study advances groundwater remediation practices by enhancing the accuracy and responsiveness of risk assessment in heterogeneous aquifer settings.
