Organic biofilm substrata as a microbial inoculum delivery vehicle for bioaugmentation of persistent organic pollutants in contaminated sediments and soils

摘要

A system and methods for removal of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) from an environment, where the system includes an inert and organic biofilm substrata as biofilm media for dual use: 1) inoculation of microorganisms to degrade POPs and 2) accumulation of POPs on the substrata, effective in maintaining bioavailable concentrations for sustaining microbial activity. Microorganisms capable of degrading or transforming POPs are actively associated with the substrata as a biofilm. Application of this delivery vehicle will enhance the microbial degradation of POPs, while simultaneously adsorbing hydrophobic POPs from the environment making them bioavailable for the microorganisms located in the formed biofilms and additionally lowering the aqueous concentration of POPs that have detrimental effects towards fish and mammals as they bioaccumulate through the food chain.

主权项

1. A system for at least partially degrading persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in soil or sediment, the system comprising:
an inert substratum effective to adsorb hydrophobic POPs from the soil or sediment, said inert substratum comprising granular activated carbon; and a biofilm on the substratum, wherein the biofilm comprises an active inoculum; wherein POPs comprise polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and wherein the active inoculum comprises dehalorespiring bacteria or PCB oxidizing bacteria capable of selectively degrading PCBs.