Compost decontamination of soil contaminated with PCP using aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms

摘要

A process of decontaminating soil containing pentachlorophenol (PCP) contaminant comprising admixing an organic nutrient material into soil in an amount of about 10% to 95% by weight of the soil mixture. The soil mixture forms a compost mixture. Composting the compost mixture at a temperature in the range of 20 to 65 degrees celsius. The water content of the compost mixture is maintained in a range of 40% to 100% water holding capacity (WHC). The redox potential level during the composting is below negative 200 mV to achieve partial degradation of the PCP contaminant. After composting, the compost mixture is oxygenated to raise the redox potential to positive 100 mV to further degrade the contaminant; and the steps are repeated until the PCP contaminant is present in an amount less than 140 ppm per ton of soil. The organic nutrient material comprises agricultural waste and municipal waste.