| Abstract: | Daramend bioremediation technology was used to treat 1100 tonnes of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH)‐contaminated soil at a former lindane manufacturing plant. Half of the site (area A) was treated using a cycled anoxic/oxic treatment, and the other half (area B) was treated under oxic conditions. Each area was divided east to west into five zones. A control area (area C) consisted of strips of soil along the north and east edges of the site. Total HCH concentrations along a west to east gradient ranged from 22 430 to 1069 mg kg?1 in area A and from 21 100 to 730 mg kg?1 in area B. Concentrations in area C ranged from 52 to 1427 mg kg?1. The soil was treated for 371 days, during which time seven anoxic/oxic cycles were completed in area A and regular tillage was performed on area B. Soil samples (one per zone) were collected after 154 and 371 days of treatment. After 371 days, total HCH concentrations were reduced in the most highly contaminated zones of areas A and B by 60% (from 22 430 to 8910 mg kg?1) and 75% (from 21 100 to 5120 mg kg?1), respectively. The average HCH reductions for all five zones of areas A and B were 40 and 47%, respectively, with the data indicating decreased concentrations of selected isomers in certain zones of both areas. Less substantial changes in HCH concentrations were observed in control area C. Elevated chloride ion concentrations were observed in zones that had demonstrated HCH removal. This full scale project demonstrated the potential for solid phase bioremediation treatment of soil containing high HCH concentrations. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry |
