Biological processes are largely limited to contaminants that are available to microbes in a water soluble form. Rapid removal of a nonaqueous phase liquid (NAPL) source is not realistic by any known treatment technology; source reduction and source control are more realistic goals. However, bioremediation can be used to accelerate the removal of NAPL and to prevent NAPL sources from producing a large dissolved phase plume. Rather than just selling a product, RNAS, Inc. provides technical expertise to assist our client consultants in evaluating the feasibility of using Newman Zone and in determining the most effective way to apply the technology.

Injection of electron donors may have adverse effects on water quality including objectionable taste and odor, and elevated iron and manganese concentrations. Electron donor addition may also produce methane and hydrogen sulfide which could migrate to the unsaturated zone and become a vapor hazard at some sites. In most cases these reduction products are limited to the immediate injection area. Ground water geochemistry returns to background conditions down gradient of the treatment area as dissolved oxygen concentrations approach pretreatment concentrations.