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1 - Contamination, regulation, and remediation: an introduction to bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons in cold regions
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- By Ian Snape, Contaminants Geochemist Working for the Australian Antarctic Division in Tasmania, Larry Acomb, Geosphere Inc., 3055 Seawind Drive, Anchorage AK 99516, USA, David L. Barnes, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alaska Fairbanks, PO Box 755900, Fairbanks AK 99775, USA, Steve Bainbridge, Contaminated Sites Program, Division of Spill Prevention and Response, Department of Environmental Conservation, 610 University Avenue, Fairbanks AK 99709–3643, USA, Robert Eno, Department of Sustainable Development, Government of Nunavut, PO Box 1000, Stn 1195, Iqaluit NU X0A 0H0, Canada, Dennis M. Filler, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alaska Fairbanks, PO Box 755900, Fairbanks AK 99775, USA, Natalie Plato, Department of Sustainable Development, Government of Nunavut, PO Box 1000, Stn 1195, Iqaluit NU X0A 0H0, Canada, John S. Poland, Analytical Services Unit, Queens University, Kingston ON K7L 3N6, Canada, Tania C. Raymond, Environmental Protection and Change Program, Australian Antarctic Division, Channel Highway, Kingston, Tasmania 7050, Australia, John L. Rayner, Environmental Protection and Change Program, Australian Antarctic Division, Channel Highway, Kingston, Tasmania 7050, Australia, Martin J. Riddle, Environmental Protection and Change Program, Australian Antarctic Division, Channel Highway, Kingston, Tasmania 7050, Australia, Anne G. Rike, Dept. of Environmental Technology, Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, PO Box 3930, Ullevaal Stadion, N-0806 Oslo, Norway, Allison Rutter, Analytical Services Unit, Queens University, Kingston ON K7L 3N6, Canada, Alexis N. Schafer, University of Saskatchewan, 51 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Canada S7N 5A8, Steven D. Siciliano, University of Saskatchewan, 51 Campus Drive, Saskatoon SK S7N 5A8, Canada, James L. Walworth, Dept. of Soil Water and Environmental Science, University of Arizona, 429 Shantz Bldg. #38, Tucson AZ 85721, USA
- Edited by Dennis M. Filler, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Ian Snape, David L. Barnes, University of Alaska, Fairbanks
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- Book:
- Bioremediation of Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Cold Regions
- Published online:
- 22 August 2009
- Print publication:
- 21 February 2008, pp 1-37
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Summary
Introduction
Oil and fuel spills are among the most extensive and environmentally damaging pollution problems in cold regions and are recognized as potential threats to human and ecosystem health. It is generally thought that spills are more damaging in cold regions, and that ecosystem recovery is slower than in warmer climates (AMAP 1998; Det Norske Veritas 2003). Slow natural attenuation rates mean that petroleum concentrations remain high for many years, and site managers are therefore often forced to select among a range of more active remediation options, each of which involves a trade-off between cost and treatment time (Figure 11). The acceptable treatment timeline is usually dictated by financial circumstance, perceived risks, regulatory pressure, or transfer of land ownership.
In situations where remediation and site closure are not urgent, natural attenuation is often considered an option. However, for many cold region sites, contaminants rapidly migrate off-site (Gore et al. 1999; Snape et al. 2006a). In seasonally frozen ground, especially in wetlands, a pulse of contamination is often released with each summer thaw (AMAP 1998; Snape et al. 2002). In these circumstances natural attenuation is likely not a satisfactory option. Simply excavating contaminants and removing them for off-site treatment may not be viable either, because the costs are often prohibitive and the environmental consequences of bulk extraction can equal or exceed the damage caused by the initial spill (Filler et al. 2006; Riser-Roberts 1998).
11 - Emerging technologies
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- By Dale Van Stempvoort, National Water Research Institute, PO Box 5050, Burlington ON, Canada L7R 4A6, Kevin Biggar, BGC Engineering, Inc., 207, 5140–82 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6B OE6, Dennis M. Filler, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alaska Fairbanks, PO Box 755900, Fairbanks AK 99775, USA, Ronald A. Johnson, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Northern Engineering Energy Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks, PO Box 755910, Fairbanks AK 99775–5910, USA, Ian Snape, Environmental Protection and Change Program, Australian Antarctic Division, Channel Highway, Kingston, Tasmania 7050, Australia, Kate Mumford, Particulate Fluids Processing Centre (ARC Special Research Centre), Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia, William Schnabel, Golder Associates, 1346 West Arrowhead Road, Duluth MN 55811, USA, Steve Bainbridge, Contaminated Sites Program, Division of Spill Prevention and Response, Department of Environmental Conservation, 610 University Avenue, Fairbanks AK 99709–3643, USA
- Edited by Dennis M. Filler, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Ian Snape, David L. Barnes, University of Alaska, Fairbanks
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- Book:
- Bioremediation of Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Cold Regions
- Published online:
- 22 August 2009
- Print publication:
- 21 February 2008, pp 212-230
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- Chapter
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Summary
Introduction
In this book, current scientific knowledge and practical experiences with bioremediation of petroleum-contaminated soils in cold regions are reviewed and compiled. We now more fully understand the inter-relationships between cold temperatures, soil and water properties, and biological processes. This aids decision making about practical remediation treatment for petroleum-contaminated sites in cold regions. Landfarming and enhanced bioremediation schemes have emerged as viable soil treatment methods that offer a number of advantages over other methods. Nevertheless, work still needs to be done to optimize these methods, and with regards to evaluating phytoremediation and rhizosphere enhancement potentials for cold soils.
Two emerging technologies have been identified that could offer significant cost savings; low-cost heating and controlled-release nutrient systems are described briefly here (see also Chapter 8). In addition, natural attenuation has received little rigorous evaluation for use in cold soils. The main limitation for natural attenuation in cold regions is the low rate of degradation, coupled with off-site migration that can be relatively rapid in soils or gravel pads that have a poor adsorption capacity. Permeable reactive barriers are one groundwater treatment technology that could buy time for slower in situ techniques such as natural attenuation to take place. An outline of emerging permeable-reactive barrier technology is presented here, although full-scale trials are not yet complete. It is possible that such in situ techniques, when coupled with aeration, sparging and biostimulation could offer methods for groundwater treatment in cold regions.