Soil vapor extraction (SVE) is one of the most effective methods to remediate certain types of subsurface contamination. Read on to learn more about how soil vapor extraction is used, why horizontal wells are frequently chosen to implement soil vapor extraction, and how your contaminated site may benefit from evaluating soil vapor extraction.

 

How Does Bioremediation Remediate Contaminated Soil and Groundwater?

 

Bioremediation uses microorganisms to degrade organic contaminants in soil and groundwater. The microorganisms break down contaminants by using them as an energy source or cometabolizing them with an energy source. To stimulate and enhance microbial activity, microorganisms (bioaugmentation) or amendments (biostimulation) are introduced into the contaminated soil or groundwater. Bioremediation amendments can consist of air, nutrients, and organic substrates or other electron donors/acceptors. Oxygen has a strong effect on bioremediation. Some microbes thrive on oxygen while others are hindered when exposed to excessive oxygen. Bioventing is a type of bioremediation that uses passive airflow to introduce oxygen into the subsurface whereas biosparging involves using equipment to inject pressurized air to further increase oxygen concentrations. The specific type of bioremediation that would be most effective for a site depends on various factors such as the type of contaminant, the existing microbes in the subsurface, soil chemistry, and remediation goals.

 

What Are the Advantages of Using Horizontal Wells for Bioremediation?

 

Vertical wells are the most common method to install a bioremediation system. However, various site limitations can make vertical wells challenging to implement effectively. Common site conditions which limit the efficacy of vertical wells include lack of access to the area above the plume due to infrastructure or sensitive areas, industrial/commercial/residential uses of the property which cannot easily tolerate interruptions during remedial construction, and O&M, challenging geology, and future site redevelopment. Horizontal remediation wells are frequently utilized to overcome these site conditions and install bioremediation systems. Unlike conventional vertical remediation wells, horizontal remediation wells can access the contaminant plume from almost anywhere through the use of directional drilling techniques. Not only do horizontal remediation wells allow you to access the plume, they are also far more effective at cleaning up contamination. A horizontal bioremediation well screen allows significantly more contact with the contaminant plume, allowing for more efficient treatment of wider areas of the subsurface. They can also be precisely targeted to focus on problematic hot spots. The resulting radius of influence that can be achieved by horizontal remediation wells allows for enhanced remediation performance and less time to meet cleanup goals.

 

Bioremediation is an effective way to reduce various common types of contamination. Horizontal bioremediation techniques are proven to provide the most effective implementation of bioremediation strategies by providing unparalleled access to the contaminant plume and enhanced treatment of organic contaminants. If you have a contaminated site that could benefit from horizontal bioremediation, please click HERE to tell us about your project so that we can help you determine whether horizontal bioremediation may be an effective solution.

 

Written By: Tomas Will, Sr. Environmental Scientist