Flow, transport and biodegradation of jet fuel contaminated water in the unsaturated zone. Part 1. Field experiments at the Moreppen site, Gardermoen, Norway

Field experiments on the Gardermoen delta, southern Norway, designed to study the transport and biodegradation of jet fuel components have been performed. The tracer study revealed that the water follows a thin, dipping, silty layer which is embedded in the coarser matrix. The concentration of the hydrocarbons in the uppermost sampling point started to decrease after about eight days. Increase in the CO₂ concentration and a simultaneous decrease in the O₂ concentration showed that biodegradation took place. Both chemicals were completely degraded in the unsaturated zone within a time period of one month.