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. An In Situ Microcosm (ISM) study using stable isotope probing (SIP) with 13C-chlorobenzene showed definitive degradation of chlorobenzene under MNA conditions and significant stimulation of degradation under enhanced aerobic conditions.
The ISM study provided answers to site managers’ questions at a significant cost savings compared to pilot-scale studies and provided sound support for a pathway to reducing time to closure at the site.
