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Application of Nonionic Surfactant for the Bioremediation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

SEO, YOUNGWOO
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1203447147

Abstract Details

2008, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Engineering : Environmental Engineering.
The effectiveness of nonionic surfactant addition on the bioremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was studied. Specifically, biological responses to synthetic surfactant addition and the surfactant effect on PAH bioremediation were observed. With micellar solubilization, the surfactant could solubilize less soluble PAHs and facilitate the mass transfer of PAHs from solid PAH to the aqueous phase. It appeared that surfactant micelles behave as PAH containing reservoirs which could replenish aqueous phase PAHs quickly. There were fast exchanges of PAHs between the micelle core and the aqueous phase, and micellar phase PAHs could be utilized by PAH degrading bacteria if they had the ability to utilize specific PAHs. Bacterial biofilm formation with extracellular polymeric substances was the strategy of bacteria to utilize partially soluble PAHs in simulated subsurface aquifers. However, in the presence of surfactant, this strategy was modified. The presence of surfactant at all concentrations changed the physiological aspects of the attached biofilm. Based on the elucidated results of the biological responses to surfactant addition, the applicability of use of a permeable reactive biobarrier for surfactant-coupled bioremediation was also observed. The mulch biofilm barrier could prevent the migration of low molecular weight PAHs. However, it couldn’t prevent the migration of micellar solubilized high molecular weight PAHs completely, when surfactant was applied continuously. For the bioremediation of high molecular weight PAHs with surfactant, besides the application of a biobarrier, additional treatment strategies might be required to prevent the migration of the surfactant solubilized PAHs.
Dr. Paul Bishop (Advisor)
198 p.
Engineering, Environmental
Surfactant; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon; Biofilm

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • SEO, Y. (2008). Application of Nonionic Surfactant for the Bioremediation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1203447147

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • SEO, YOUNGWOO. Application of Nonionic Surfactant for the Bioremediation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons. 2008. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1203447147.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • SEO, YOUNGWOO. "Application of Nonionic Surfactant for the Bioremediation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1203447147

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1203447147
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© 2008, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.