Handbook of Solvents - George Wypych - ChemTech - Ventech!

23.2 Remediation technologies 1621
Figure 23.2.3. Bacterial productivity, a measure of bacterial activity, was compared with the level of contaminants
at a number of site in the Cooper River watershed, South Carolina (USA). Where productivity is low and PAH concentration
is high, the concentration of PAH or other mitigating factors suggest that the potential for PAH
biodegradation may be limited in these systems compared to the other sampling points in this watershed. [Figure
adapted from M. T. Montgomery, B. J. Spargo, and T.J. Boyd, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC,
NRL/MR/6115—98-8140, (1998)].
Figure 23.2.4. Microbial communities have the remarkable ability to
adapt to utilize a number of carbon sources. Montgomery et al. suggest
that the proportion of PAH degraders (shown as pie fraction) in a
population can be reflected by their overall activity (measured by
protein production) and their ability to mineralize the contaminant to
CO 2. [Figure adapted from: Montgomery, M. T. , T. J. Boyd, J. K.
Steele, D. M. Ward, D. C. Smith, B. J. Spargo, R. B. Coffin, J. W.
Pohlman, M. Slenska, and J. G. Mueller, International Conference
on Wetlands & Remediation, Salt Lake City, UT, November 16-17,
1999.]
and commercial shipping and recreational
docks are scattered along
the river. The physical characteristics
of the Cooper River have
been documented. 29
In 1997 a study was initiated
to examine the capacity of the
Cooper River to “self-remediate”
if source input was reduced or
eliminated from the system. Specifically,
pressure was placed on
the Charleston Naval Shipyard to
dredge the sediments in the area
adjacent to the Navy property. A
site study was conducted in this
region and showed an elevated
number of hydrocarbons, heavy
metals and other regulated compounds.
The study was expanded
to include the larger watershed
and to place the contaminant levels
in the context reflective of regional
inputs of contaminants.
Concomitantly, the “bio-capacity”
of the sediments, overlying