In this study, the effects of in
situ chemical oxidation (ISCO)
on the biogeochemical properties of an aquifer soil were evaluated.
Microcosms packed with an aquifer soil were investigated for 4 months
in two phases including oxidant exposure (phase I) and biostimulation
involving acetate addition (phase II). The geochemical and microbial
alterations from different concentrations (0.2 and 50 mM) of hydrogen
peroxide (HP) and peroxymonosulfate (PMS) were assessed. The 50 mM
PMS-treated sample exhibited the most significant geochemical changes,
characterized by the decrease in pH and the presence of more crystalline
phases. Microbial activity decreased for all ISCO-treated microcosms
compared to the controls; particularly, the activity was severely
inhibited at high PMS concentration exposure. The soil microbial community
structures were shifted after the ISCO treatment, with the high PMS
causing the most distinct changes. Microbes such as the Azotobacter
chroococcum and Gerobacter spp. increased
during phase II of the ISCO treatment, indicating these bacterial
communities can promote organic degradation despite the oxidants exposure.
The HP (low and high concentrations) and low concentration PMS exposure
temporarily impacted the microbial activity, with recovery after some
duration, whereas the microbial activity was less recovered after
the high concentration PMS exposure. These results suggest that the
use of HP and low concentration PMS are suitable ISCO strategies for
aquifer soil bioattenuation.