Integrated 3D physical-numerical modelling for simulating bioremediation of petroleum contamination in heterogeneous subsurface environment

This study presents physical-numerical modelling of petroleum contaminant transport and enhanced in situ bioremediation in heterogeneous subsurface environment. The approach is based on development of a three-dimensional multi-layered physical model coupled with a three-dimensional multiphase multi-component numerical model. An experimental scheme was designed to conduct 40-day benzene transport, followed by 17-day enhanced bioremediation. The results show a significant reduction in benzene levels in the enhanced process, demonstrating that the physical model was effective in facilitating the realisation of the remediation technology. Moreover, the results indicate that numerical model was capable of predicting the bioremediation process and supporting decisions of groundwater remediation.