Microbial Insights Case Study Logo

CENSUS® qPCR: Evaluating Biostimulation to Overcome DCE Stall

A site impacted by PCE and TCE was experiencing an accumulation of cis-DCE (DCE stall). CENSUS qPCR quantification demonstrated that Dehalococcoides concentrations were too low for effective rates of complete reductive dechlorination. Site managers asked: “Is bioaugmentation required or will biostimulation alone be sufficient to result in complete reductive dechlorination?” Monitoring with Bio-Traps® and CENSUS® analysis showed that stimulation…

Microbial Insights Case Study Logo

CENSUS® qPCR: Actionable Data for Evaluating MNA

A petroleum pipeline release in a remote area had gone undiscovered for a number of years and groundwater was impacted with BTEX. Groundwater monitoring results suggested that BTEX concentrations were decreasing although results were variable. The site managers asked for an additional line of evidence of BTEX biodegradation to support acceptance of an MNA management…

Microbial Insights Case Study Logo

ISMs: Cost Effective Remedy Selection at a TCE Impacted Site

At a site impacted by trichloroethene (TCE), biostimulation and bioaugmentation were considered as remediation strategies. The site managers asked: “Is bioaugmentation required at this site for meaningful rates of reductive dechlorination?” The answer was no.  An In Situ Microcosm (ISM) study showed conclusively that Dehalococcoides (DHC) was present at the site at low levels but could be significantly stimulated by…

Microbial Insights Case Study Logo

QuantArray®-Chlor: Actionable Data for Performance Monitoring

Electron donor injection was performed at a former chemical manufacturing facility impacted by a complex mixture of chlorinated compounds including PCE, TCE, 1,1,2-TCA, 1,2-DCA, cis-DCE, and VC along with high concentrations of sulfate. Site managers required a comprehensive tool to monitor the performance of the electron donor injection at this complex site to ensure complete…

Microbial Insights Case Study Logo

QuantArray®-Petro: MNA Assessment at a Crude Oil Impacted Site

At a crude oil impacted site, project managers were considering MNA as a site management strategy based on favorable contaminant concentration trends and geochemistry in groundwater. However, additional lines of evidence were required. Site managers asked: “Is there direct microbial evidence to support BTEX and naphthalene biodegradation at the site?” The answer was yes. Using…

Microbial Insights Case Study Logo

Combining In Situ Microcosms and Stable Isotope Probing

A site impacted by chlorobenzene was managed by MNA. Site managers asked: “Can we confirm that observed decreases in chlorobenzene concentrations are resulting from biodegradation as opposed to dilution?” and “Would injection of an oxygen release compound result in enhanced rates of aerobic biodegradation of chlorobenzene under site conditions?” The answers to both questions were yes. …

Microbial Insights Case Study Logo

SIP: Evaluating MNA at a Manufactured Gas Plant

Site stakeholders needed conclusive evidence that biodegradation of benzene and naphthalene was occurring under existing site conditions to accept MNA instead of a more aggressive strategy. Stable isotope probing (SIP) studies using Bio-Traps® amended with 13C benzene or 13C naphthalene conclusively demonstrated in situ biodegradation occurred under existing site conditions. MNA was accepted as the remediation strategy.

Microbial Insights Case Study Logo

QuantArray®-Chlor: Actionable Data for Remedy Selection

Site managers were considering monitored natural attenuation (MNA), biostimulation, and bioaugmentation as remediation strategies at a site impacted by a complex mixture of chlorinated hydrocarbons including PCE, TCE, 1,1,2-TCA, 1,2-DCA, cis-DCE, and VC along with high concentrations of sulfate. Site managers had several questions including: Is complete reductive dechlorination of all chlorinated solvents possible? Is…

Microbial Insights Case Study Logo

NGS Characterization of Microbial Communities at a Pipeline Release

At a petroleum pipeline release in a remote area Bio-Traps® and CENSUS® qPCR for BTEX catabolic functional genes proved stimulation of BTEX biodegradation in impacted groundwater and provided an additional line of evidence to support acceptance of an MNA management strategy at the site. Site managers asked: “Can molecular biological tools provide even more evidence…