Project ID: 2006DE71B

Title: Enhanced Pollutant Biodegradation by Electrode Use

Project Type: Research

Start Date: 06/01/2006

End Date: 02/28/2007

Congressional District: At large

Focus Categories: Geochemical Processes, Sediments

Keywords: biodegradation, sediments, remediation

Principal Investigator: Dentel, Steven K (University of Delaware)

Federal Funds: $1,750

Non-Federal Matching Funds: $3,500

Abstract: In some environmental situations, biodegradable organic substances remain at high concentrations over long periods of time, because there is a shortage of the oxygen required to permit microbial oxidation to occur. Some examples are (1) the sediments that underlie natural waters; (2) wastewaters or sludges in treatment facilities; (3) contaminated groundwaters; and (4) landfill contents and the landfill leachate. In these types of situations, the rate and extent of biodegradation could be accelerated to remove pollutants if the oxygen limitation could be circumvented. This project will investigate the use of graphite electrodes to alleviate the oxygen limitation to biodegradation of organic contaminants while simultaneously generating electrical energy. Specific factors that will be assessed include the effects of the type and concentration of the biodegradable organic substance, temperature, and salinity of the systems of interest.

Progress/Completion Report, PDF