ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of the biochemical degradation process undergone by petroleum hydrocarbons in soils. This degradation process includes a description of the microbial kinetics from actual measured field data from several remediation projects. The chapter focuses on the biodegradation of soils contaminated with diesel fuel, although its general application may be relevant for other contaminants, especially other fuel hydrocarbons. The metabolic versatility of microorganisms has generated excitement among regulators, generators, and professionals in the hazardous waste industry. This excitement is due to a better understanding of how microbial kinetics can be economically applied to remediation of hazardous waste in the environment. First-order reactions describe the exponential decrease of a contaminant, which is characteristic of a bioreaction without limiting factors. The design goal of an ex situ bioremediation system should be first-order contaminant degradation with an effective contaminant utilization rate.
