• During site assessment of a TCE site, compound specific isotope analysis (CSIA) did not demonstrate TCE or cis-DCE degradation, consistent with CENSUS qPCR results indicating low concentrations of Dehalococcoides (DHC).
• Multiple lines of evidence increased stakeholder confidence in full-scale treatment.
– This case study shows how NGS revealed diverse microbial communities and the presence of microbial groups commonly implicated in MIC, including SRB, methanogens and acetogens.
• The ISM study conducted at this site provided clear, actionable evidence that increasing the sulfate concentration at the site would stimulate hydrocarbon biodegradation. Further, this evidence was provided in a significantly more cost effective manner than a bench-scale treatability study or a pilot scale study and in a more timely manner.
• 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.
• Contaminant trends, geochemistry, CENSUS® qPCR, and NGS provided multiple lines of evidence supporting an MNA management strategy and avoiding the greater costs of enhanced remediation.
• 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.
• Trends in decreasing BTEX concentrations were validated as biological in origin supporting an MNA management strategy and avoiding the greater costs of enhanced remediation.
• 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.
• Avoiding the expense of bioaugmentation resulted in significant cost savings while achieving treatment goals with biostimulation alone.