A sequential zero valent iron and aerobic biodegradation treatment system for nitrobenzene

The remediation of nitroaromatic contaminated groundwater is sometimes difficult because nitroaromatic compounds are resistant to biodegradation and, when they do transform, the degradation of the products may also be incomplete. A simple nitroaromatic compound, nitrobenzene, was chosen to assess the feasibility of an in situ multi-zone treatment system at the laboratory scale. The proposed treatment system consists of a zero valent granular iron zone to reduce nitrobenzene to aniline, followed by a passive oxygen release zone for the aerobic biodegradation of the aniline daughter product using pristine aquifer material from Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Borden, Ontario, as an initial microbial source. In laboratory batch experiments, nitrobenzene was found to reduce quickly in the presence of granular iron forming aniline, which was not further degraded but remained partially sorbed onto the granular iron surface. Aniline was found to be readily biodegraded with little metabolic lag under aerobic conditions using the pristine aquifer material. A sequential column experiment, containing a granular iron reducing zone and an aerobic biodegradation zone, successively degraded nitrobenzene and then aniline to below detection limits (0.5 microM) without any noticeable reduction in hydraulic conductivity from biofouling, or through the formation of precipitates.     

In situ modification of an aquifer material by a cationic surfactant to enhance retardation of organic contaminants

Sorption of hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride (HDTMA), a cationic surfactant, on aquifer material from Columbus AFB, Mississippi, U.S.A., was examined. Transport studies using flow-through columns and a box model aquifer showed that an almost stationary zone of HDTMA-modified aquifer material could be produced in situ without a significant decrease in hydraulic conductivity.Perchloroethylene (PCE) and naphthalene sorption isotherms on the HDTMA-modified aquifer material were linear, and sorption coefficients were increased by over two orders of magnitude relative to the unmodified material. The retardation of PCE by insitu emplaced HDTMA zones within a column was examined. Agreement between batch- and column-derived sorption coefficients and breakthrough curve symmetry indicates that local equilibrium was attained. Significant retardation of a naphthalene plume by an in situ emplaced surfactant zone was demonstrated in the box model aquifer system.The experimental results indicate that it is feasible to create in situ a sorbent zone within an aquifer using cationic surfactants. In most situations, the sorbent zone concept needs to be coupled with contaminant degradation processes for sorbent emplacement to be a practical tool in the remediation of groundwater contamination sites. Sorbent zones may be of benefit in the engineering of suitable environments for microbial or abiotic degradation reactions and by providing time slow reactions to occur.     

Mineralization of PAHs in coal-tar impacted aquifer sediments and associated microbial community structure investigated with FISH

The microbial community structure and mineralization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a coal-tar contaminated aquifer were investigated spatially using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and in laboratory-scale incubations of the aquifer sediments. DAPI-detected microbial populations in the contaminated sediments were three orders of magnitude greater than nearby uncontaminated sediments, suggesting growth on coal-tar constituents in situ. Actinobacteria, beta- and gamma-Proteobacteria, and Flavobacteria dominated the in situ aerobic (>1 mg l(-1) dissolved oxygen) microbial community, whereas sulfate-reducing bacteria comprised 37% of the microbial community in the sulfidogenic region of the aquifer. Rapid mineralization of naphthalene and phenanthrene were observed in aerobic laboratory microcosms and resulted in significant enrichment of beta- and gamma-Proteobacteria potentially explaining their elevated presence in situ. Firmicutes, Flavobacteria, alpha-Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria were also enriched in the mineralization assays, but to a lesser degree. Nitrate- and sulfate-limited mineralization of naphthalene in laboratory microcosms occurred to a small degree in aquifer sediments from locations where groundwater chemistry indicated nitrate- and sulfate-reduction, respectively. Some iron-limited mineralization of naphthalene and phenanthrene was also observed in sediments originating near groundwater measurements of elevated ferrous iron. The results of this study suggest that FISH may be a useful tool for providing a much needed link between laboratory microcosms and groundwater measurements made in situ necessary to better demonstrate the potential for natural attenuation at complex PAH contaminated sites.     

染料废水混凝污泥免烧砖浸出毒性的研究

染料废水混凝污泥处理处置及资源化利用对环境保护和染料生产企业的可持续发展有重要意义。依据《固体废物浸出毒性浸出方法水平振荡法》(HJ 557—2009)和《固体废物浸出毒性浸出方法硫酸硝酸法》(HJ/T 299—2007)对污泥和污泥免烧砖制备浸出液,用分光光度法和化学滴定法测定了浸出液中主要有机污染物(对硝基苯胺、苯胺、间苯二胺和丙烯腈)的含量。结果表明:(1)硅酸盐水泥(样品标记为42.5R、水泥1、水泥2)和铝酸盐水泥(样品标记为CA)对苯胺和间苯二胺的固化效果差别不大;水泥2对对硝基苯胺的固化效果最好;42.5R对丙烯腈的固化效果不如其他3种水泥。(2)对硝基苯胺、苯胺、间苯二胺、丙烯腈经水泥固化后,其浸出毒性均降低。     

Hexadecane and pristane degradation potential at the level of the aquifer—evidence from sediment incubations compared to in situ microcosms

Monitored natural attenuation is widely accepted as a sustainable remediation method. However, methods providing proof of proceeding natural attenuation within the water-unsaturated (vadose) zone are still relying on proxies such as measurements of reactive and non-reactive gases, or sediment sampling and subsequent mineralisation assays, under artificial conditions in the laboratory. In particular, at field sites contaminated with hydrophobic compounds, e.g. crude oil spills, an in situ evaluation of natural attenuation is needed, because in situ methods are assumed to provide less bias than investigations applying either proxies for biodegradation or off-site microcosm experiments. In order to compare the current toolbox of methods with the recently developed in situ microcosms, incubations with direct push-sampled sediments from the vadose and the aquifer zones of a site contaminated with crude oil were carried out in conventional microcosms and in situ microcosms. The results demonstrate the applicability of the in situ microcosm approach also outside water-saturated aquifer conditions in the vadose zone. The sediment incubation experiments demonstrated turnover rates in a similar range (vadose, 4.7 mg/kg*day; aquifer, 6.4 mg_hexadecane/kg_soil/day) of hexadecane degradation in the vadose zone and the aquifer, although mediated by slightly different microbial communities according to the analysis of fatty acid patterns and amounts. Additional experiments had the task of evaluating the degradation potential for the branched-chain alkane pristane (2,6,10,14-tetramethylpentadecane). Although this compound is regarded to be hardly degradable in comparison to n-alkanes and is thus frequently used as a reference parameter for indexing the extent of biodegradation of crude oils, it could be shown to be degraded by means of the incubation experiments. Thus, the site had a high inherent potential for natural attenuation of crude oils both in the vadose zone and the aquifer.     

可用于水体污染控制的氨氮转化菌筛选及部分降解特性的实验研究

从南京禄口水产养殖基地淡水鱼塘取淤泥作为分离菌株的土源,采用选择性富集培养法,从中分离到能以硫酸铵为氮源的菌株7株,对7个菌株进行氨氮降解实验,它们氨氮转化率分别为14.8%、19.7%、53.4%、94.2%、29.1%、63.5%和41.7%,其中AN-4菌株的转化率最高且生长良好。通过AN-4菌株16S rRNA基因序列分析以及生理生化方法,鉴定此菌株为克雷伯氏菌属(Klebsiellasp.)。对菌株AN-4转化氨氮的特性及温度、pH值、氨氮初始浓度和菌株接种量对其氨氮转化率的影响研究,结果表明,菌株AN-4降解氨氮的最适条件为:温度为30℃和pH值为8.0;当氨氮初始浓度为30mg/L时,AN-4菌株在24 h内的氨氮降解率可达85%以上,且能耐受高达200 mg/L的氨氮浓度;AN-4活化菌液浓度为108cfu/mL,当接种量为3×106cfu/mL时,AN-4菌株在24 h内的氨氮降解率为87.75%。综合上述结果,符合淡水养殖水环境条件,说明AN-4菌株适合在水产养殖中应用,为将菌株AN-4应用于水产养殖环境修复提供了理论依据。     

Evaluation of groundwater flow patterns around a dual-screened groundwater circulation well

Dual-screened groundwater circulation wells (GCWs) can be used to remove contaminant mass and to mix reagents in situ. GCWs are so named because they force water in a circular pattern between injection and extraction screens. The radial extent, flux and direction of the effective flow of this circulation cell are difficult to measure or predict. The objective of this study is to develop a robust protocol for assessing GCW performance. To accomplish this, groundwater flow patterns surrounding a GCW are assessed using a suite of tools and data, including: hydraulic head, in situ flow velocity, measured hydraulic conductivity data from core samples, chemical tracer tests, contaminant distribution data, and numerical flow and transport models. The hydraulic head data show patterns that are consistent with pumping on a dual-screened well, however, many of the observed changes are smaller than expected. In situ thermal perturbation flow sensors successfully measured horizontal flow, but vertical flow could not be determined with sufficient accuracy to be useful in mapping flow patterns. Two types of chemical tracer tests were utilized at the site and showed that much of the flow occurs within a few meters of the GCW. Flow patterns were also assessed based on changes in contaminant (trichloroethylene, TCE) concentrations over time. The TCE data clearly showed treated water moving away from the GCW at shallow and intermediate depths, but the circulation of that water back to the well, except very close to the well, was less clear. Detailed vertical and horizontal hydraulic conductivities were measured on 0.3 m-long sections from a continuous core from the GCW installation borehole. The measured vertical and horizontal hydraulic conductivity data were used to construct numerical flow and transport models, the results of which were compared to the head, velocity and concentration data. Taken together, the field data and modeling present a fairly consistent picture of flow and transport around the GCW. However, the time and expense associated with conducting all of those tests would be prohibitive for most sites. As a consequence, a sequential protocol for GCW characterization is presented here in which the number of tools used can be adjusted to meet the needs of individual sites. While not perfect, we believe that this approach represents the most efficient means for evaluating GCW performance.     

Trimethylbenzoic acids as metabolite signatures in the biogeochemical evolution of an aquifer contaminated with jet fuel hydrocarbons

Evolution of trimethylbenzoic acids in the KC-135 aquifer at the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base (WAFB), Oscoda, MI was examined to determine the functionality of trimethylbenzoic acids as key metabolite signatures in the biogeochemical evolution of an aquifer contaminated with JP-4 fuel hydrocarbons. Changes in the composition of trimethylbenzoic acids and the distribution and concentration profiles exhibited by 2,4,6- and 2,3,5-trimethylbenzoic acids temporally and between multilevel wells reflect processes indicative of an actively evolving contaminant plume. The concentration levels of trimethylbenzoic acids were 3-10 orders higher than their tetramethylbenzene precursors, a condition attributed to slow metabolite turnover under sulfidogenic conditions. The observed degradation of tetramethylbenzenes into trimethylbenzoic acids obviates the use of these alkylbenzenes as non-labile tracers for other degradable aromatic hydrocarbons, but provides rare field evidence on the range of high molecular weight alkylbenzenes and isomeric assemblages amenable to anaerobic degradation in situ. The coupling of actual tetramethylbenzene loss with trimethylbenzoic acid production and the general decline in the concentrations of these compounds demonstrate the role of microbially mediated processes in the natural attenuation of hydrocarbons and may be a key indicator in the overall rate of hydrocarbon degradation and the biogeochemical evolution of the KC-135 aquifer.     

不适宜生长条件对混菌降解苯胺的影响

分别从台州和衢州某化工厂的好氧池中分离筛选得到2株苯胺降解菌TZ1和JH1,经16S rDNA测序鉴定为Comamonas sp.TZ1和Pseudomonas sp.JH1,均具有较强的苯胺降解能力,培养24 h后,可使初始浓度为800 mg/L的苯胺去除率达到96.4%~98.4%。在此基础上,按体积比1∶1将2株菌液进行混合构建了混合菌体系,进而对比考察了苯胺初始浓度、pH、盐度和重金属等环境因子对单一菌和混合菌生长量及降解苯胺效果的影响,重点探讨混合菌对不适宜生长环境的适应性及其对苯胺的降解特性。通过单一菌和混合菌对比实验发现,在适宜苯胺初始浓度、pH和盐度条件下,混合菌的生长量略高于单一菌;在不适宜生长的高浓度苯胺、pH和盐度条件下,混合菌也表现出了更强的适应性和苯胺矿化能力。Zn2+和Cr6+耐受实验则表明,对于Cr6+,混合菌表现出了更强的耐受能力,而对于Zn2+并没有表现出更强的耐受能力。     

Microbial growth and transport in porous media under denitrification conditions: experiments and simulations

Soil column experiments were conducted to study bacterial growth and transport in porous media under denitrifying conditions. The study used a denitrifying microbial consortium isolated from aquifer sediments sampled at the U.S. Department of Energy's Hanford site. One-dimensional, packed-column transport studies were conducted under two substrate loading conditions. A detailed numerical model was developed to predict the measured effluent cell and substrate concentration profiles. First-order attachment and detachment models described the interphase exchange processes between suspended and attached biomass. Insignificantly different detachment coefficient values of 0.32 and 0.43 day⁻¹, respectively, were estimated for the high and low nitrate loading conditions (48 and 5 mg l⁻¹ NO₃, respectively). Comparison of these values with those calculated from published data for aerobically growing organisms shows that the denitrifying consortium had lower detachment rate coefficients. This suggests that, similar to detachment rates in reactor-grown biofilms, detachment in porous media may increase with microbial growth rate. However, available literature data are not sufficient to confirm a specific analytical model for predicting this growth dependence.     

Aniline degradation by electrocatalytic oxidation

The degradation of aniline solution in alkaline medium of pH 11.0 by electrocatalytic oxidation has been studied using an electrochemical reactor containing a SnO₂–Sb₂O₃–PtO anode and a Ti cathode, both of 54 cm² area. Hydroxyl radicals (HO^√) are produced at the anode, being tested with the trace catcher salicylic acid and phenol by spectrophotometery and high performance liquid chromatography. Intermediates dianiline, 4-anilino phenol and azobenzol were detected by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The existence of HO^√ produced in the aniline degradation was assayed with scavenger tertiary butanol. The results showed that electrocatalytic oxidation is an effective process for the degradation of aniline. A general reaction pathway that accounts for aniline degradation to CO₂ involving those intermediates is proposed.     

In situ biodegradation determined by carbon isotope fractionation of aromatic hydrocarbons in an anaerobic landfill leachate plume (Vejen,Denmark)

Concentrations and isotopic compositions (13C/12C) of aromatic hydrocarbons were determined in eight samples obtained from the strongly anoxic part of the leachate plume downgradient from the Vejen Landfill (Denmark), where methanogenic, sulfate-reducing and iron-reducing conditions were observed. Despite the heterogeneous distribution of the compounds in the plume, the isotope fractionation proved that ethylbenzene and m/p-xylene were subject to significant biodegradation within the strongly anoxic plume. The isotope fractionation factors (alphaC) for the degradation of the m/p-xylene (1.0015) and ethylbenzene (1.0021) obtained from the field observations were similar to factors previously determined for the anaerobic degradation of toluene and o-xylene in laboratory experiments, and suggest that in situ biodegradation is one major process controlling the fate of these contaminants in this aquifer. The isotope fractionation determined for 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene and 2-ethyltoluene suggested in situ biodegradation; however, the isotopic composition did not correlate well with the respective concentration as expressed by the Rayleigh equation. Some other compounds (1,2,3-trimethylbenzene, o-xylene, naphthalene and fenchone) did not show significant enrichments in delta13C values along the flow path. The compound concentrations were too low for accurate isotope analyses of benzene, toluene, 1- and 2-methylnaphthalene, while interferences in the chromatography made it impossible to evaluate the isotopic composition for 4-ethyltoluene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene and camphor.In addition to demonstrating the potential of assessing isotopic fractionation as a means for documenting the in situ biodegradation of complex mixtures of aromatic hydrocarbons in leachate plumes, this study also illustrates the difficulties for data interpretation in complex plumes and high analytical uncertainties for isotope analysis of organic compounds in low concentration ranges.     

Efficacy of forming biofilms by naphthalene degrading Pseudomonas stutzeri T102 toward bioremediation technology and its molecular mechanisms

In natural environments, bacteria often exist in close association with surfaces and interfaces. There they form "biofilms", multicellular aggregates held together by an extracellular matrix. The biofilms confer on the constituent cells high resistance to environmental stresses and diverse microenvironments that help generate cellular heterogeneity. Here we report on the ability of Pseudomonas stutzeri T102 biofilm-associated cells, as compared with that of planktonic cells, to degrade naphthalene and survive in petroleum-contaminated soils. In liquid culture system, T102 biofilm-associated cells did not degrade naphthalene during initial hours of incubation but then degraded it faster than planktonic cells, which degraded naphthalene at a nearly constant rate. This delayed but high degradation activity of the biofilms could be attributed to super-activated cells that were detached from the biofilms. When the fitness of T102 biofilm-associated cells was tested in natural petroleum-contaminated soils, they were capable of surviving for 10 wk; by then T102 planktonic cells were mostly extinct. Naphthalene degradation activity in the soils that had been inoculated with T102 biofilms was indeed higher than that observed in soils inoculated with T102 planktonic cells. These results suggest that inoculation of contaminated soils with P. stutzeri T102 biofilms should enable bioaugmentation to be a more durable and effective bioremediation technology than inoculation with planktonic cells.     

Engineered and subsequent intrinsic in situ bioremediation of a diesel fuel contaminated aquifer

A diesel fuel contaminated aquifer in Menziken, Switzerland was treated for 4.5 years by injecting aerated groundwater, supplemented with KNO3 and NH4H2PO4 to stimulate indigenous populations of petroleum hydrocarbon (PHC) degrading microorganisms. After dissolved PHC concentrations had stabilized at a low level, engineered in situ bioremediation was terminated. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of intrinsic in situ bioremediation as a follow-up measure to remove PHC remaining in the aquifer after terminating engineered in situ bioremediation. In the first 7 months of intrinsic in situ bioremediation, redox conditions in the source area became more reducing as indicated by lower concentrations of SO4(2-) and higher concentrations of Fe(II) and CH4. In the core of the source area, strongly reducing conditions prevailed during the remaining study period (3 years) and dissolved PHC concentrations were higher than during engineered in situ bioremediation. This suggests that biodegradation in the core zone was limited by the availability of oxidants. In lateral zones of the source area, however, gradually more oxidized conditions were reestablished again, suggesting that PHC availability increasingly limited biodegradation. The total DIC production rate in the aquifer decreased within 2 years to about 25% of that during engineered in situ bioremediation and remained at that level. Stable carbon isotope analysis confirmed that the produced DIC mainly originated from PHC mineralization. The total rate of DIC and CH4 production in the source area was more than 300 times larger than the rate of PHC elution. This indicates that biodegradation coupled to consumption of naturally occurring oxidants was an important process for removal of PHC which remained in the aquifer after terminating engineered measures.     

不适宜生长条件对混茵降解苯胺的影响

分别从台州和衢州某化工厂的好氧池中分离筛选得到2株苯胺降解菌TZl和JH1,经16SrDNA测序鉴定为Comamonassp．TZ1和Pseudomonassp．JH1,均具有较强的苯胺降解能力,培养24h后,可使初始浓度为800mg／L的苯胺去除率达到96．4％～98．4％。在此基础上,按体积比l：1将2株菌液进行混合构建了混合菌体系,进而对比考察了苯胺初始浓度、pH、盐度和重金属等环境因子对单一菌和混合菌生长量及降解苯胺效果的影响,重点探讨混合菌对不适宜生长环境的适应性及其对苯胺的降解特性。通过单一菌和混合菌对比实验发现,在适宜苯胺初始浓度、pH和盐度条件下,混合菌的生长量略高于单一菌;在不适宜生长的高浓度苯胺、pH和盐度条件下,混合菌也表现出了更强的适应性和苯胺矿化能力。Zn2＋和Cr6＋耐受实验则表明,对于Cr6＋混合菌表现出了更强的耐受能力,而对于zn2＋并没有表现出更强的耐受能力。     

Sequential anaerobic-aerobic treatment of an aquifer contaminated by halogenated organics: field results

In situ, sequential, anaerobic to aerobic treatment of groundwater removed perchloroethene (PCE, 1.1 microM) and benzene (0.8 microM) from a contaminated aquifer. Neither aerobic nor anaerobic treatment alone successfully degraded both the chlorinated and non-chlorinated organic contaminants in the aquifer. After the sequential treatment, PCE, trichloroethene (TCE), vinyl chloride (VC), chloroethane (CA), and benzene were not detectable in groundwater. Desorption of residual aquifer contaminants was tested by halting the groundwater recirculation and analyzing the groundwater after 3 and 7 weeks. No desorption of the chlorinated contaminants or daughter products was observed in the treated portion of the aquifer. Sequential anaerobic to aerobic treatment was successful in remediating the groundwater at this test site and may have broad applications at other contaminated sites. Over the 4-year course of the project, the predominant microbial environment of the test site varied from aerobic to sulfate-reducing, to methanogenic, and back to aerobic conditions. Metabolically active microbial populations developed under all conditions, demonstrating the diversity and robustness of natural microbial flora in the aquifer.     

Engineered in situ bioremediation of a petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated aquifer: assessment of mineralization based on alkalinity, inorganic carbon and stable carbon isotope balances

A concept is proposed to assess in situ petroleum hydrocarbon mineralization by combining data on oxidant consumption, production of reduced species, CH₄, alkalinity and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) with measurements of stable isotope ratios. The concept was applied to a diesel fuel contaminated aquifer in Menziken, Switzerland, which was treated by engineered in situ bioremediation. In the contaminated aquifer, added oxidants (O₂ and NO₃⁻) were consumed, elevated concentrations of Fe(II), Mn(II), CH₄, alkalinity and DIC were detected and the DIC was generally depleted in ¹³C compared to the background. The DIC production was larger than expected based on the consumption of dissolved oxidants and the production of reduced species. Stable carbon isotope balances revealed that the DIC production in the aquifer originated mainly from microbial petroleum hydrocarbon mineralization, and that geochemical reactions such as carbonate dissolution produced little DIC. This suggests that petroleum hydrocarbon mineralization can be underestimated if it is determined based on concentrations of dissolved oxidants and reduced species.     

Integrative approach to delineate natural attenuation of chlorinated benzenes in anoxic aquifers

Biodegradation of chlorobenzenes was assessed at an anoxic aquifer by combining hydrogeochemistry and stable isotope analyses. In situ microcosm analysis evidenced microbial assimilation of chlorobenzene (MCB) derived carbon and laboratory investigations asserted mineralization of MCB at low rates. Sequential dehalogenation of chlorinated benzenes may affect the isotope signature of single chlorobenzene species due to simultaneous depletion and enrichment of ¹³C, which complicates the evaluation of degradation. Therefore, the compound-specific isotope analysis was interpreted based on an isotope balance. The enrichment of the cumulative isotope composition of all chlorobenzenes indicated in situ biodegradation. Additionally, the relationship between hydrogeochemistry and degradation activity was investigated by principal component analysis underlining variable hydrogeochemical conditions associated with degradation activity at the plume scale. Although the complexity of the field site did not allow straightforward assessment of natural attenuation processes, the application of an integrative approach appeared relevant to characterize the in situ biodegradation potential.     

Injection of innocuous oils to create reactive barriers for bioremediation: laboratory studies

In situ groundwater remediation may be achieved using stationary permeable barriers created by the injection of a substrate, such as innocuous vegetable oil, into the contaminated aquifer. The oil provides the electron donor stimulating microorganisms to degrade or sequester many contaminants. At present, little is known about the best procedures to use when injecting oil into an aquifer. In this investigation, laboratory column and sand tank studies were used as model systems to explore the effect of different injection parameters on the distribution of oil emulsions into water-saturated sand. The parameters investigated included injection pressures of 70, 1400 and 18,000 KPa; injection times of 15, 30, 60 or 120 s; and the influence of an emulsifier, polyoxyethylenesorbitan monooleate (Tween 80), upon the distribution of the injected oil. The longest injection patterns were achieved at 18,000 KPa. A pattern that was 46+/-1.8 cm long was produced with an 18,000 KPa injection for 60 s. Increasing the injection time to 120 s increased the length of the pattern by only 6.5%. Tween 80 at concentrations of 0.05% increased the width of the injection patterns but did not increase the length of the pattern. A multi-ported injection probe might be used to create in situ permeable barriers approximately 1 m wide.     

Using polymer mats to biodegrade atrazine in groundwater: laboratory column experiments

Large-scale column experiments were undertaken to evaluate the potential of in situ polymer mats to deliver oxygen into groundwater to induce biodegradation of the pesticides atrazine, terbutryn and fenamiphos contaminating groundwater in Perth, Western Australia. The polymer mats, composed of woven silicone (dimethylsiloxane) tubes and purged with air, were installed in 2-m-long flow-through soil columns. The polymer mats proved efficient in delivering dissolved oxygen to anaerobic groundwater. Dissolved oxygen concentrations increased from <0.2 mg l(-1) to approximately 4 mg l(-1). Degradation rates of atrazine in oxygenated groundwater were relatively high with a zero-order rate of 240-380 microg l(-1) or a first-order half-life of 0.35 days. Amendment with an additional carbon source showed no significant improvement in biodegradation rates, suggesting that organic carbon was not limiting biodegradation. Atrazine degradation rates estimated in the column experiments were similar to rates determined in laboratory culture experiments, using pure cultures of atrazine-mineralising bacteria. No significant degradation of terbutryn or fenamiphos was observed under the experimental conditions within the time frames of the study. Results from these experiments indicate that remediation of atrazine in a contaminated aquifer may be achievable by delivery of oxygen using an in situ polymer mat system.