In situ bioremediation holds great promise as a safe and
cost-effective strategy for cleanup of contaminated sediments and groundwater.
The design of bioremediation systems requires site-specific characterization of
the types of microorganisms present, what their potential metabolic capabilities
are, and to what extent these degradative functions are expressed. Measuring
these factors is important for selecting the proper bioremediation strategy and
for optimizing remedial design, but current laboratory methods cannot reproduce
conditions in the field, and field pilot tests are expensive and risk impacting
monitoring wells.
To overcome these difficulties, Professor Rolf Halden of the
Biodesign Institute of Arizona State University has designed a novel downhole
device that permits conducting mutually-exclusive experiments and feasibility
studies in the same place at the same time. The device contains multiple
flow-through column microcosms that are packed with site sediment and can be
amended to mimic biostimulation and bioaugmentation as well as chemical
treatment approaches.
Upon retrieval, the information can be used to assess the
effectiveness of each of the treatment strategies tested. In this way the
remediation process can be optimized and costs minimized without compromising
the technology deployment well for future use as a compliance monitoring
location, if so desired.
Potential Applications
- Environmental remediation including subsurface,
groundwater, and surface water environments
- Environmental risk assessment Bioprospecting Biomedical
settings (after miniaturization)
- Bioprospecting
- Biomedical settings (after
miniaturization)
Benefits and Advantages
- Allows conducting concurrent but mutually exclusive
experiments and feasibility studies
- Determines the fastest and most economical mode of
remediation for various saturated contaminated sites
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For more information about the inventor(s) and their
research, please see
Dr.
Halden's directory webpage
Dr. Halden's
laboratory webpage
