Microaerobic biodegradation of aromatic hydrocarbon mixtures: strategies for efficient nitrate and oxygen dosage

• DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13388-9
• Publication Date: 2025-01-16T09:32:49Z
• Authors: Dilan Camille Aydin; Andrea Aldas-Vargas; Tim Grotenhuis; Huub Rijnaarts
• Keywords: Aromatic hydrocarbon

The biodegradation of organic aromatic compounds in subsurface environments is often hindered by limited dissolved oxygen. While oxygen supplementation can enhance situ biodegradation, it poses financial and technical challenges. This study explores introducing low-oxygen concentrations anaerobic for efficient contaminant removal, particularly scenarios where coexisting pollutants are present. An innovative strategy alternating nitrate-reducing microaerobic conditions to stimulate proposed, utilizing nitrate initially degrade easily-degradable compounds, potentially reducing the need additional Batch experiments were conducted assess a BTEX, indene, indane, naphthalene mixture using groundwater sediments from an contaminated aquifer. Two set-ups incubated 98 days redox transitions between (oxygen < 0.5 mg O2 L−1) conditions, aiming minimize external electron acceptor usage while maximizing degradation. Comparative under fully aerobic (nitrate-reducing) conducted, revealing that all completely degraded, achieving removal efficiencies comparable conditions. A pre-treatment phase involving followed showed more effective utilization specifically degradation compared Contrarily, without addition, partial ethylbenzene was observed after 400 days, other remained. outcomes this provide valuable insights refining strategies dosages, thereby enhancing efficacy bioremediation approaches targeting complex hydrocarbon mixtures within environments. • mix biodegraded Subsurface microorganisms swiftly adapt More directed via pre-anaerobic treatment