ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with the design of in situ treatment systems. It addresses only the design of treatment systems for remediating volatile organic compounds, particularly the lighter hydrocarbons, such as gasoline. The chapter advances a basic understanding of the bioremediation process and discusses the conditions and parameters that are favorable to its application. It discusses feasibility testing and design aspects of bioremediation systems. Factors that play a significant role in the design and successful operation of a bioremediation system include contaminant characteristics, natural supplies of macronutrients and micronutrients, availability of electron acceptors, presence of indigenous bacteria capable of degrading the contaminants, and subsurface characteristics. Bioremediation, as inferred by its name, refers to the treatment or remediation of contaminated soils and groundwater using biological means. Municipal wastewater treatment plants have been employing this technology for decades and bioremediation is merely an application of the same principles in a different setting.
