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Bioaugmentation

At a Glance

 

Regenesis_Icon_Mechanisms Regenesis_Icon_Trackable-Contaminents Regenesis_Icon_Concentration

Mechanism:

Treatable Contaminants:

Concentrations:

Biological Degradation

Specific microbes metabolize target contaminants

Chlorinated VOCs

Treats high to low concentrations

Regenesis_Icon_Time

 Regenesis_Icon_Conditions Regenesis_Icon_Applied-Frec

Time:

Conditions:

Applications Frequency:

Longer treatment time

(1-5+ years)

Saturated zones

Single application common

Bioaugmentation Overview

Bioaugmentation is the practice of adding cultured microorganisms into the subsurface for the purpose of biodegrading specific soil and groundwater contaminants.

Bioaugmentation for Chlorinated Contaminants

In many cases, cultured microorganisms used for bioaugmentation are “specialists” in degrading specific target contaminants. For example, some microbes may be able to degrade the chlorinated compounds cis-1,2 dichloroethylene (cDCE) and vinyl chloride (VC) more quickly than the naturally-occurring microbial community at a particular site. As a result, the remediation community has shifted toward a more prescriptive approach with the use of bioaugmentation to accelerate the reductive dechlorination process, achieve remediation targets, and realize cost savings.

Specific strains of anaerobic microorganisms have been isolated, cultured and are commercially available for the biodegradation of the chlorinated contaminants cDCE and VC. Bio-Dechlor INOCULUM® Plus is a widely used bioaugmentation culture designed specifically for this purpose. It is typically co-applied with electron donor solutions such as 3-D Microemulsion® and HRC® to facilitate full and rapid reductive dechlorination.

Bioaugmentation for Petroleum Hydrocarbons

Relative to bioaugmentation for the degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons or any aerobically degradable contaminants in soil and groundwater, it is rare if ever that aerobic degrader augmentation is required to facilitate enhanced aerobic biodegradation.

Research has shown that aerobic microrganisms are ubiquitous and are typically limited by the availability of oxygen to sustain and grow their populations. REGENESIS recommends the use of Oxygen Release Compound (ORC®) or ORC Advanced® stimulate the existing aerobic microbial community through enhanced aerobic biodegradation.

REGENESIS welcomes the opportunity to provide you and your team with the tools you need to successfully plan and execute your next bioaugmentation project.

If you currently have a project and need a remediation solution now, request a design.

Have questions or want to explore some ideas? Contact Us to get in touch with a local representative.

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FAQs about Bioaugmentation

What is Bioaugmentation used for?

Bioaugmentation is used to biodegrade specific soil and groundwater contaminants. It involves adding cultured microorganisms into the subsurface to biodegrade the desired contaminants. In many cases, these microorganisms are “specialists” in degrading specific target contaminants. Dehalococcoides sp. is a genus of bacteria commonly used in this approach.

What is the purpose of bioremediation?

The purpose of bioremediation is to biodegrade contaminants found in the soil or groundwater. Bioremediation is intended to be an environmentally sustainable approach to mitigation because it uses naturally occurring microbes to clean up the contaminants.

What is a biofiltration system?

A biofiltration system is a pollution mitigation technology which allows microbes to come into contact with pollutants. Once they come into contact, the microbes biologically degrade the pollutants. Biofiltration systems are commonly used for eliminating contaminants found in the soil or groundwater. Some examples of biofilters include treatment ponds, slow sand filters, and bioswales.