ABSTRACT
Biodegradation of pentachlorophenol by acclimated organisms in the presence of soil particles is feasible. Kinetics of biodegradation are enhanced by the presence of small grain sand as evidenced by shorter lag times when treating high concentrations of Pollution Control Plant (PCP). Continuous flow short column tests were carried out to measure rates of transport and removal of PCP in physical environments where the sand grains are stationary, but water, solutes, and microbial cells are free to move. On the basis of the information presented in the literature, it was concluded that biological treatment for removal of PCP from groundwater and soils should be feasible. A mixed culture capable of utilizing PCP as sole carbon and energy source was isolated from activated sludge obtained from the Minneapolis, St. Paul Sewage Treatment Plant. The costs of cleaning contaminated soils and aquifers by physical-chemical methods are very high and there is interest in finding alternative methods.
