Harder, J., J. Mitton, S. Hains, E. Bergeron, and D. Jouen.
RemTech 2019: Remediation Technologies Symposium, 16-18 October, Banff, 26 slides, 2019

Enhanced attenuation via biosparging was pilot-tested at a former gas plant in Alberta to increase the aerobic biodegradation capacity of sulfolane in groundwater. The biosparging system was designed, constructed, optimized and operated in fractured bedrock to augment the groundwater with oxygen (via air injection) to enhance the growth of sulfolane-degrading microorganisms and sulfolane degradation rates The project was deemed a success in all three areas of evaluation: the mechanical performance of the system, the delivery of oxygen to the and sulfolane-degrader concentration. The mechanical system performance targets were all met which facilitated the delivery and maintenance of dissolved oxygen concentrations to the desired level (>2 mg/L). Sulfolane concentrations decreased and dissolved carbon dioxide and dissolved sulfate concentrations increased within and downgradient of the sparging zone. Putative sulfolane-degrading isolates contained reported sulfolane-degraders. Analysis of plate counts and next-generation sequencing data showed increases in the relative abundance of colonies and operational taxonomic units closely related to putative sulfolane-degraders after biosparging began, within and downgradient of the sparging zone. Some challenges encountered included operating in winter conditions, associated aerobic nitrification, and nutrient supply. https://www.esaa.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/19-Harder.pdf Longer abstract: https://www.esaa.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/72-RT-2019-Abstract.pdf