Bioremediation of diesel fuel contaminated soil

Field and laboratory studies were used to study the influence of temperature and O 2 on the bioremediation of diesel-fuel contaminated soil. Field data were obtained from a landfarm located in Northern Ontario, whereas laboratory experiments were conducted using bioreactors containing diesel-spiked soil and contaminated soil from the field site. Laboratory and field degradation rates were quantified based on changes in the total petroleum hydrocarbons concentration and some individual components, as well as by monitoring O 2 consumption and CO 2 evolution. A degradation rate correlation was developed from the laboratory data. Based on comparison with the laboratory data, the slow rate observed in the field was likely due to low O 2 concentrations at the site.