Peroxide Pre-Oxidation of Recalcitrant Toxic Waste to Enhance Biodegradation

Abstract

Land disposal is required for industrial chemicals which are not readily biodegraded. Such compounds lead to adverse effects on the environment if they escape containment. Recalcitrant and persistent hydrocarbons and chlorinated chemicals are inherently resistant to any degree of biodegradation and cause a growing threat to underground aquifer quality. Hydrogen peroxide is a potentially economical method of pre-oxidation utilized to enhance the biodegradation of persistent and recalcitrant organics in contaminated soil systems. This pre-oxidation technology was examined in a laboratory respirometer using three model toxic organic chemicals: toluene, trichloroethylene and pentachlorophenol. Microbial cultures were selected from contaminated sites for the degradation of each model organic chemical. The rate at which the microbes degraded the organic chemicals in unoxidized aqueous systems was compared to the rate of degradation in peroxide pre-oxidized aqueous systems. Results indicated that pre-oxidation enhanced the biodegradation of trichloroethylene and pentachlorophenol. Toluene, in contrast, was not significantly oxidized by pretreatment with hydrogen peroxide, and its biodegradation rate was not enhanced by the oxidation pre-treatment process.

Integration of chemical and biological oxidation processes for water treatment: Review and recommendations

“…Lee and Carberry [53] measured the specific substrate uptake rate, S U R = ( d S / d t ) ( l / X ) , and used a curve fitting program to determine the qmrX and K , values. Carberry and Benzing [65] also used this method in terms of COD for the removal of TCE, PCP and toluene. Both studies utilized electrolytic respirometry to obtain oxygen uptake data.…”

Application of persulfate to remediate petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil: Feasibility and comparison with common oxidants

“…Chemical oxidation technology is a potent soil remedial option that can effectively eliminate an extensive range of contaminants. In addition, chemical oxidation can also be applied coupled with bioremediation for the pretreatment of toxic and persistent contaminants [15][16][17][18][19]. Hydrogen peroxide including Fenton's reagent and Fenton-like reaction, ozone, permanganate, and persulfate are common oxidants used for the remediation of organic pollutants [20,21].…”

Degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by combined chemical pre-oxidation and bioremediation in creosote contaminated soil

“…This combined treatment has been successfully applied in wastewater purification. Hydrogen peroxide pre-treatment followed by biodegradation resulted in a substantial decrease in the required oxidant dosage and enhanced contaminants biodegradation rates in wastewater contaminated with organic compounds (Carberry and Benzing, 1991). A combined approach using ozone and biodegradation has been proved effective in the destruction of phenols, pesticides and chlorinated benzenes in wastewater treatment (Hapeman et al, 1995;Stockinger et al, 1995).…”