Bioremediation of groundwater contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons applied at a site in Belgrade (Serbia)

Abstract

Due to their extensive use, petroleum hydrocarbons are among the most common groundwater contaminants. Compared to the traditional methods of physical pumping of contamination from the aquifer and subsequent treatment (e.g. pump and treat), bioremediation is an economically costeffective technology. The aim of this remediation approach is to biologically, most often by the microbiological activity, transform contaminants into nontoxic compounds. More precisely, it is an active remediation process that involves biostimulation (an increase of aquifer oxygenation, the addition of nutrients) and/or bioaugmentation (injection of a concentrated and specialized population of microorganisms). Using both biostimulation and bioaugmentation, enhanced in situ groundwater bioremediation was applied at a hydrocarbon-contaminated site in Belgrade. The bioremediation treatment, applied during a twelve months period, was highly efficient in reducing concentrations of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) to acceptable levels. In the piezometer P-5 concentration of TPH has been reduced for 98.55 %, in the piezometer P-6 for 98.30 % and in the piezometer P-7 concentration of TPH has been reduced for 98.09 %. These results provide strong evidence on the potential of this remediation approach to overcome site-limiting factors and enhance microbiological activity in order to reduce groundwater contamination.

Evaluation of potential human health risks from exposure to volatile organic compounds in contaminated urban groundwater in the Sava river aquifer, Belgrade, Serbia

“…The results showed that the thickness of sandy-gravelly deposits in this area was in the range from several centimeters to several meters (Fig. 3; Bulatovic ´et al, 2020). It is important to note that these porous unbound sediments can facilitate transport of petroleum pollutants down to the groundwater level depths.…”

Numerical Modeling and Simulation of the Effectiveness of Groundwater Source Protection Management Plans: Riverbank Filtration Case Study in Serbia

“…Groundwater pollution with petroleum hydrocarbons is usually accidental, as was the case in Nigeria [16], where oil spilled from a damaged pipeline and polluted the environment (including the groundwater). Elevated hydrocarbon concentrations have also been detected in Serbia, on the site of a district heating plant in New Belgrade [17]. In this case, a suspected environmental incident led to testing of the groundwater quality.…”