IPEConnect Spring 2023
On April, 20, 2023, join Dr. Kate Clark for her presentation titled, “Using Molecular Biological Tools to Optimize Petroleum Hydrocarbon Biodegradation.”
Through the identification and quantification of the microorganisms and functional genes related to petroleum hydrocarbon biodegradation and natural source zone depletion (NSZD), site and project managers are better able to: 1) assess the effectiveness of remedial treatments, 2) improve conceptual site models, and 3) provide direct microbial data to regulatory bodies as proof of potential biodegradation. By incorporating molecular biological tools (MBTs) into baseline sampling and performance monitoring, and by utilizing the Microbial Insights database for enhanced data analysis, the subsurface microbiome will no longer be an unknown. After brief introductions that include the strengths and limitations of each analysis, the presentation will focus on real-world applications. Case studies will be used to discuss the interpretation of MBT data and show how these results impacted site management and regulatory decisions.
