Date of Award

12-1995

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Department of Systems Engineering and Management

First Advisor

Michael L. Shelley, PhD

Abstract

This research extends the work begun by Enyeart (1994) which evaluated the process of intrinsic bioremediation, and which developed a model for predicting the velocity of an aerobic degradation front, as it traverses the length of a JP-4 contaminant plume. It is assumed this aerobic front will traverse the contaminant plume as dissolved oxygen is carried by the ground water through the sorption-retarded contaminant. The ultimate purpose of Enyeart's model is to use it to develop field guidance for assessing the feasibility of intrinsic bioremediation to restore petroleum-contaminated soils. After simulating intrinsic bioremediation many times with a spreadsheet model, results were used to develop a linear regression model to predict the velocity of the aerobic front, and thus the time it takes to propagate through from the rear to the front of the simulated plume. The time needed for the aerobic front to travel from the rear to the front of the plume is taken as the time to contaminant remediation. In the present work, Enyeart's model was validity tested by comparing its output prediction with field measured values. A methodology was developed to compare the model output with field measured data. The results were analyzed, and the results of this first stage of validity testing show a reasonable basis for accepting the model. Further validity testing of the model will be required to assess its performance across a wide range of field conditions. It is hoped that contaminated-site managers will one day use the validated regression model to predict the time required to affect the complete remediation of a contaminated site via intrinsic bioremediation.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GEE-ENV-95D-04

DTIC Accession Number

ADA305637

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