In-situ biodegradation of ethanolamine in low permeability soils

A research program to investigate whether ethanolamine is susceptible to biodegradation is described. The project was undertaken at a former Edmonton area gas plant site to demonstrate in-situ site remediation techniques. A horizontal well was drilled at a depth of four metres below ground surface and hydraulically fractured to increase permeability of the glacial till soils. A sand propant was used to prevent the subsequent closure of the water-based slurry used in fracturing the soil, with phosphoric acid added to provide a source of phospate to stimulate bacterial growth. A network of monitoring wells was installed along the horizontal wells to monitor bacterial respiration. Field test results showed oxygen depletion and carbon dioxide production. Bioventing was restricted as a result of unexpectedly high water levels, but in a subsequent dewatering bioventing program the ethanolamine levels in groundwater extracted from the monitoring wells showed an overall decline in concentration. There were no changes in ammonia levels. Since ammonia is a breakdown product of amines its increase in the groundwater would have provided positive proof of biodegradation. However, the fact that there was no change, is not taken as an indication of the total absence of biodegradation. Rather, it is suspected that the concentration of the ammonia in the groundwater is at a level that it exerts a a toxic influence on the soil bacteria, thus preventing additional degradation. 14 refs., 4 tabs.7 figs