Bioremediation Enhancement of Phenanthrene Contaminated Soils by Chemical Pre-oxidation

A two-step oxidation process was investigated for the treatment of phenanthrene contaminated soil fines (particle diameter {le}63 {mu}m) resulting from a soil washing process. Oxone{reg_sign} (2KHSO{sub 5}{center_dot}KHSO{sub 4}{center_dot}K{sub 2}SO{sub 4}) and hydrogen peroxide (H{sub 2}O{sub 2}) were used as oxidants for the chemical pre-oxidation step and unacclimatized municipal activated sludge was employed in the subsequent biodegradation step. Oxone was found to have an oxidation efficiency approximately ten-fold greater than hydrogen peroxide on a stoichiometric basis. In comparison to chemical oxidation only, a 24 hour pre-oxidation step using 5 and 10 g/L Oxone followed by a 5 day biological oxidation step enhanced removal of phenanthrene from the soil by 115% and 32%, respectively. Similarly, a 48 hour pre-oxidation step utilizing 5 and 10 g/L Oxone followed by a 5 day biological oxidation step enhanced the removal of phenanthrene from the soil by 113% and 43%, respectively. Based on this preliminary assessment, a treatment protocol that integrates a 24 hour chemical preoxidation step with 5 g/L Oxone followed by a 5 day biological oxidation step appears to be an effective combination for the remediation of this phenanthrene contaminated soil. 21 refs., 4 figs., 2 tabs.