The reclamation of disused gasworks sites: new solutions to an old problem

Thomas, A.O.; Lester, J.N.

doi:10.1016/0048-9697(94)90315-8

Cited by 12 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…While this is a fundamental requirement, biodegradability must be evaluated in respect of the concentrations and mixtures encountered on contaminated sites and the standard of remediation to be achieved, whether this is assessed in terms of reduction of target compound or reduction in toxicity of waste. b) a means of implementing the technology in a cost effective manner which in addition should be acceptable to any further institutional or environmental requirements (17).…”

Section: Fundamental Aspects Of Microbial Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Physically the subsurface of such sites may typically consist of "made 1 ground of varying thickness composed of layers of mixed fill, waste and anthropogenic material (17). The physiochemical and microbial properties of this environment do not appear to have been studied in situ.…”

Section: Gasworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is therefore likely that the biodegradative potential of each may vary and may need to be considered separately. The factors affecting the distribution and behaviour of gasworks type contamination have been the subject of a separate review (17). The biodegradability of such mixtures in soils and groundwaters is poorly understood and has not been the subject of detailed investigation.…”

Section: Gasworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However this may be complicated by site heterogeneity, in particular the presence of stratified layers in the subsurface will interfere with the uniform dispersion of treatment chemicals and decrease their rate of transport though the aquifer (48). This may be particularly relevant to gasworks sites where a number of such subsurface discontinuities are likely (17). As with pump and treat technologies the presence of free product in the subsurface is again detrimental to the success of overall clean up and the addition of oxygen and nutrients to a site containing a physically removable phase would waste both time and capital (58).…”

Section: Microbial Strategymentioning

confidence: 99%

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The microbial remediation of former gasworks sites: A review

Thomas

Lester

1993

Environmental Technology

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This review has considered the feasibility of applying current microbial treatment techniques to the remediation of former gasworks. Success would appear dependent upon the contaminants of interest being biodegradable and an effective means of implementation. Contaminants of concern at gasworks include PAH, phenols and cyanides. Laboratory and field studies suggest that these contaminants are biodegradable although little data exists with respect to mixtures in the form present at gasworks. Further research is recommended in this respect. Subsurface investigations of gasworks have revealed an extremely heterogeneous environment which suggests that current in situ remedial techniques may be unsuitable. Techniques that excavate and homogenise the contamination prior to treatment may improve the chances of successful remediation. Pilot studies appear successful but future research should emphasise a mass balance approach where the significance of non biological degradative mechanisms can be assessed. Contaminated groundwaters appear amenable to treatment in surface reactors. The success of overall remediation will however be dependent on the efficiency of the hydraulic withdrawal system used. The implementation of such a scheme should only be undertaken with a clear understanding of the limitations of this technology.

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Section: Fundamental Aspects Of Microbial Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Gasworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Gasworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Microbial Strategymentioning

confidence: 99%

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The microbial remediation of former gasworks sites: A review

Thomas

Lester

1993

Environmental Technology

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“…Many derelict industrial sites such as former manufactured gas plants, coking works and electroplating plants are highly contaminated with polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), heavy metals and cyanide compounds (Thomas & Lester 1994). During the manufacturing process, contaminants, such as tars, hydrogen sulphide and cyanides were removed using bog iron ore that when exhausted, was used as an on-site fill (Ghosh et al 1999).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of Bioaugmentation on Metal Cyanide Degradation and Soil Bacteria Community Structure

Baxter

Cummings

2006

Biodegradation

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Metal cyanides are significant contaminants of many soils found at the site of former industrial activity. In this study we isolated bacteria capable of degrading ferric ferrocyanide and K2Ni(CN)4. One of these bacteria a Rhodococcus spp. was subsequently used to bioaugment a minimal medium broth, spiked with K2Ni(CN)4, containing 1 g of either an uncontaminated topsoil or a former coke works site soil. Degradation of the K2Ni(CN)4 was observed in both soils, however, bioaugmentation did not significantly impact the rate or degree of K2Ni(CN)4 removal. Statistical analysis of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis profiles showed that the topsoil bacterial community had a higher biodiversity, and its structure was not significantly affected by either K2Ni(CN)4 or bioaugmentation. In contrast, profiles from the coke works site indicated significant changes in the bacterial community in response to these additions. Moreover, in both soils although bioaugmentation did not affect rates of biodegradation the Rhodococcus spp. did become established in the communities in broths containing both top and coke works soil. We conclude that bacterial communities from contaminated soils with low biodiversity are much more readily perturbed through interventions such as contamination events or bioaugmentation treatments and discuss the implications of these findings for bioremediation studies.

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