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RAPID DEGRADATION OF 1,4 DIOXANE USING A CULTURED PROPANOTROPH

Sami A. Fam, Ph.D., P.E. L.S.P., Innovative Engineering Solutions, Inc., Sam Fogel, Ph.D.,
Margaret Findlay, Ph.D. Bioremediation Consulting Inc.

Increased regulatory attention to 1,4 Dioxane and the development of clean-up goals are driving the need for a new, more cost effective in-situ technology for 1,4 Dioxane remediation. A common stabilizer for solvents, especially 1,1,1 TCA, 1,4 Dioxane does not respond well to traditional in-situ remedial technologies such as carbon adsorption or air stripping. The most common treatment method for 1,4 Dioxane contaminated groundwater, ex-situ treatment using UV-hydrogen peroxide oxidation, is very expensive

We have cultured a propanotroph (SL-D), an organism that can utilize propane as a sole carbon source, from one of our project sites in Salt Lake City, Utah. SL-D can aerobically degrade at least 10 mg/L of 1,4 Dioxane within hours. We are currently evaluating the extent to which microorganisms like SL-D are present at other project sites, and the extent to which the 1,4 Dioxane is utilized for growth by the organism. We are also conducting genetic testing on the organism and will present the results in the paper.

We have conducted several microcosm experiments in growing the organism, followed by repeated exposure to 1,4 Dioxane. The SL-D propanotroph degrades 1,4 Dioxane after the propane has been mostly consumed.
The SL-D culture is currently available for potential bioaugmentation in pilot and full-scale applications. We have also developed techniques for the enrichment of native propanotrophs and engineered a safe and reliable dissolved propane subsurface delivery system. The delivery systems are focused on solubilizing the propane in recirculated groundwater.

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