Any environmental remediation project can benefit from an understanding of a site’s microbiology even if the primary treatment mechanism is not biological. In situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) and in situ chemical reduction (ISCR) are two common chemical remedies where monitoring the subsurface microbial community can provide valuable data to inform and refine the treatment program.
Submit groundwater samples from select monitoring wells for CENSUS® qPCR or QuantArray® analysis to quantify contaminant-degrading microorganisms. Compare microbial results from the treatment zone to a baseline or unimpacted control sample to evaluate if the ISCO treatment stimulated aerobic degraders and determine if any residual contamination can be effectively addressed by enhanced bioremediation or monitored natural attenuation.
Min-Trap® samplers can be used to passively collect direct mineralogical data. Deploy Min-Traps® to assess the co-precipitation of metals like arsenic with iron oxides during in situ chemical oxidation.
Submit groundwater samples from select monitoring wells for CENSUS® qPCR, QuantArray®-Chlor, and/or QuantArray®-BGC analyses to quantify microorganisms that can either directly degrade chlorinated solvents or produce biogenic minerals involved in abiotic degradation pathways.
Deploy Min-Traps® to demonstrate that the target minerals (e.g., reactive iron minerals like magnetite, mackinawite, and pyrite) are present in the treatment zone, filling a major data gap for metals and chlorinated solvent treatment performance evaluations.
ISCO is an aggressive treatment that can cause immediate changes to the subsurface environment that impact the microbial community, including pH and redox changes and oxidative stress. However, these changes are not likely to last long term, and upstream groundwater flow will continue to transport indigenous microorganisms to the impacted area.
In situ microcosm studies are designed to evaluate biological remedies, including the addition of biostimulation amendments and bioaugmentation cultures. Generally, amendments designed for chemical degradation cannot be used for in situ microcosm studies. Biostimulation products with a ZVI component can be used, but the abiotic contribution to contaminant degradation may not be fully characterized.
1) Call us at 865.573.8188 or email at [email protected]
2) A friendly member of our team will advise you on the right tools for the job
3) Order and receive your supplies
4) Perform sampling according to our clear and easy protocols
5) Fill out the chain of custody form
6) Send to the nearest Microbial Insights location
7) Receive your unbiased report with actionable data and insight
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