4.

30 CO-METABOLIC PROCESSES
Description:

Co-metabolism is one form of secondary substrate transformation in which

enzymes produced for primary substrate oxidation are capable of degrading the
secondary substrate fortuitously, even though the secondary substrates do not
afford sufficient energy to sustain the microbial population. An emerging
application involves the injection of water containing dissolved methane and
oxygen into groundwater to enhance methanotrophic biological degradation.
This class of microorganisms can degrade chlorinated solvents, such as vinyl
chloride and TCE, by co-metabolism.

4-30 TYPICAL CO-METABOLIC BIOREMEDIATION SYSTEM (IN SITU) FOR

CONTAMINATED GROUNDWATER

Applicability: Target contaminants for co-metabolic processes are VOCs and SVOCs. The process
may also have some effectiveness in treating fuels and pesticides. As with other
biological treatments, treatability is highly dependent upon the biodegradability of the
contaminants.
Limitations:

Factors that may limit the applicability and effectiveness of the process include:

This technology is still under development.

Where the subsurface is heterogeneous, it is very difficult to circulate the

methane solution throughout every portion of the contaminated zone.
Higher permeability zones are cleaned up much faster because
groundwater flow rates are greater.

Safety precautions (such as removing all ignition sources in the area)

must be used when handling methane.

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IN SITU WATER TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES

Data Needs:

A detailed discussion of these data elements is provided in Subsection 2.2.2

(Data Requirements for Groundwater, Surface Water, and Leachate).
Characteristics that should be addressed prior to system design include aquifer
permeability, site hydrology, dissolved oxygen content, pH, and depth, type,
concentration, and biodegradability of contaminants.

Performance
Data:

While ex situ bioreactors for methanotrophic TCE biodegradation are being

used in full-scale remediation, in situ application has not yet been demonstrated
at a practical scale. A field demonstration project has been conducted at DOD's
Moffett Naval Air Station, and another is being conducted at DOE's Savannah
River site.
The DOE pilot-scale demonstration was performed at the Savannah River site's
abandoned seepage basin and process sewer line employed for disposal of
solvents used to degrease nuclear fuel target elements. Contamination is mostly
TCE and PCE with concentrations of 10,000 ppb in soil and 1,000 ppb in
groundwater. Extensive soil and groundwater monitoring has demonstrated that
when methanotroph densities increased five orders of magnitude, TCE and PCE
concentrations declined to less than 2 ppb.

Cost:

For the DOE Savannah River demonstration, capital investment costs were
$150K and 200 manhours for site preparation, setup, and assembly. The
operation is low maintenance, requiring only one technician at 25% time (10
hours per week); other operational costs are for electricity, natural gas, and
equipment maintenance.
O&M costs can be significant because a continuous source of methane solution
must be delivered to the contaminated groundwater.

References:

EPA, 1993. In Situ Bioremediation: Biodegradation of Trichloroethylene and

Tetrachloroethylene by Injection of Air and Methane, Innovative Remedial
Technology Information Request Guide.
DOE, 1991. "Modeling Bioremediation Experiments at SRS ID," FY92
Technical Task Description, TTP No. AL 1211-02.
DOE, 1992. "SRS Integrated Demo: Remediation Tasks," FY92 Technical Task
Description, TTP Reference Number: SR 1211-06.
DOE-SR, 1993. Technical Name: Methanotrophic In Situ Bioremediation
Using Methane/Air and Gaseous Nutrient Injection Via Horizontal Wells,
Technology Information Profile, Rev. 2, DOE ProTech Database, TTP
Reference Number: SR-1211-06.
DOE, 1991. "VOCs in Non-Arid Soils Integration Demonstration, Analysis,
and Evaluation Task," FY92 Technical Task Summary/Description, TTP
Reference Number: SF 2111-01.

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4.30 CO-METABOLIC PROCESSES

Site Information:
Site Name
Tinker AFB
and ORNL

DOE Savannah
River Site
Aiken, SC

Contact

Summary

Alison Thomas
AL/EQW-OL
139 Barnes Drive
Tyndall AFB, FL 32403
(904) 283-6303

Ex situ methanotrophic
bioreactor

Terry C. Hazen
Westinghouse Savannah
River Co.
P.O. Box 616
Bldg. 773-42A
Aiken, SC 29802
(803) 725-5178

Methane and air injected

into seepage basin by
horizontal wells

Bendix
Corp./Allied
Automotive
St. Joseph, MI

NA

Beginning
Levels

Levels
Attained

Costs

NA

NA

NA

TCE/PCE
<2 ppb

$150K cap

NA

CERCLA Lead Predesign - TCE, DCE, DCA,

anaerobic cycle to treat
VC
TCE

NA

NA

Note: NA = Not Available.

Points of Contact:
Contact

Government Agency

Phone

Location

Ronald Lewis

EPA RREL

(513) 569-7856
Fax: (513) 569-7620

26 West M.L. King Dr.

Cincinnati, OH 45268

Technology
Demonstration and
Transfer Branch

USAEC

(410) 671-2054
Fax: (410) 612-6836

SFIM-AEC-ETD
APG, MD 21010-5401

Kurt Gerdes

DOE

(301) 903-7289

EM-551, Trevion II
Washington, DC 20585

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