Hydrocarbon bioremediation monitoring by combining electrical geophysical measurements (induced polarization) and gas analyses (CO₂ concentration and carbon isotopic ratio)

Stimulated biodegradation is a depollution technique used to degrade hydrocarbons. Its monitoring is currently done thanks to very few expensive wells. This PhD research work proposes to improve bioremediation monitoring by combining geophysical electrical methods (induced polarization) and CO₂ analyses (surface emissions and carbon isotopic ratio). These tools were tested at laboratory scale and then implemented on a pilot site under decontamination. Aerobic degradation of toluene in columns by a known bacterial strain (Rhodococcus wratislaviensis) was characterized by CO₂ production, carbon isotopic fractionation and by an evolution of electrical complex resistivity of porous media, in correlation with microbiological and geochemical analyses. These results allowed to implement a monitoring at the site scale. The site is a gas station where gasoline and diesel leaked fifteen years ago. A trench supply oxygen to the water table in order to stimulate aerobic bacterial processes. Geophysical campaigns and CO₂ analyses have been carried out since February 2014. The first results show a more conductive and chargeable area which corresponds to the contaminated zone defined by geochemical analyses in wells. Moreover in this area CO₂ emissions have been measured with an isotopic signature typical of hydrocarbon biodegradation. These results show the interest of combining geophysical methods with gas analyses to monitor biodegradation and they have already allowed to provide a non-destructive and new methodology for in situ monitoring. (author)