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

Summary:

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 the multiple qPCR platform, QuantArray®-Petro, it was shown conclusively that biodegradation of BTEX, naphthalenes, and alkanes were ongoing in the groundwater by both aerobic and anaerobic mechanisms.

Together with contaminant concentration trends and geochemistry, the direct microbial data provided multiple lines of evidence to support a confidant MNA decision resulting in significant cost savings over enhanced remediation.