Dev and Deployment of Special Microoganisms for InSitu Remediation of Aquifers Cont w/Volatile Organchloride Compds

The proposed project involves the development of specialized bio-catalysts to remediate aquifers contaminated with volatile organochloride compounds (VOCs) such as trichloroethylene (TCE), dichloroethylene (DCE), and vinyl chloride (VC). It is hypothesized that bioaugmentation of contaminated aquifers with microorganisms capable of greater sediment penetration (adhesion deficient), continuous enzyme expression (constitutive), and prolonged activity (energy enriched) will significantly improve in situ bioremediation efforts at DOD and other sites. It is believed that the use of specialized organisms will minimize many of the previously-recognized limitations of bioaugmentation including, wellhead plugging, requirement of toxic inducers, and oxygen depletion and competition-for-resources associated with adding nutrients to aquifers to prolong microbial activity. This work will expand Envirogen's collection of commercially applicable specialized degradative microorganisms (Phase I), demonstrate the efficacy of using them for in situ remediation (Phase II), demonstrate the economical and commercial feasibility of bioaugmentation for in situ remediation (Phase II), and demonstrate the field application of the organisms for in situ remediation of a contaminated aquifer (Phase III). The work will not involve genetic engineering, but rather the selection of specialized variants, and utilization of advanced fermentation techniques to complete the project goals.