Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1002/etc.5620240108
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Title (Primary) Monitoring in situ biodegradation of benzene and toluene by stable carbon isotope fractionation
Author Vieth, A.; Kästner, M.; Schirmer, M.; Weiß, H. ORCID logo ; Gödeke, S.; Meckenstock, R.U.; Richnow, H.H.
Source Titel Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
Year 2005
Department ISOBIO; UBT; HDG; GWS; SAN
Volume 24
Issue 1
Page From 51
Page To 60
Language englisch
Keywords In situ biodegradation; Benzene; Toluene; Isotope fractionation; Natural attenuation
Abstract Intrinsic biodegradation of benzene and toluene in a heavily contaminated aquifer at the site of a former hydrogenation plant was investigated by means of isotope fractionation processes. The carbon isotope compositions of benzene and toluene were monitored in two campaigns within a time period of 12 months to assess the extent of the in situ biodegradation and the stability of the plume over time. The Rayleigh model, applied to calculate the extent of biodegradation and residual theoretical concentrations of toluene, showed that in situ biodegradation was a relevant attenuation process. The biodegradation rate constant for toluene was estimated to be k = 5.7 ± 0.5 μM/d in the groundwater flow path downstream of the source area. The spatial distribution of the carbon isotope composition of benzene indicated that in situ biodegradation occurred at marginal zones of the plume where concentrations were lower than 30 mg/L. The vertical structure of the benzene plume provided evidence for in situ degradation processes at the upper and lower fringes of the plume. The results show that isotope fractionation can be used to quantify the extent of microbial in situ degradation in contaminated aquifers and to develop conceptual models for natural attenuation approaches.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=3863
Vieth, A., Kästner, M., Schirmer, M., Weiß, H., Gödeke, S., Meckenstock, R.U., Richnow, H.H. (2005):
Monitoring in situ biodegradation of benzene and toluene by stable carbon isotope fractionation
Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 24 (1), 51 - 60 10.1002/etc.5620240108