SBIR Phase I: Development and Characterization of a Bioaugmentation Culture to Remediate Chlorinated Ethenes in Low pH Ground Water

This SBIR Phase I project will develop a robust commercial acid-tolerant culture of the anaerobic bacterium Dehalococcoides (Dhc) for in-situ treatment of groundwater contaminated with tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichloroethene (TCE). The project team will conduct a search of acidic contaminated sites for natural Dhc strains having acid tolerance. The most promising strains will be combined to create a commercial dechlorinating culture. The broader/commercial impact of the proposed project will be the deployment of a bioremediation solution to address and solve many existing acid-caused remediation failures and thereby increase the effectiveness of existing in-situ biological treatment techniques as a cost-effective and successful remedial option to eliminate PCE and TCE from groundwater.