Bioremediation Enhancement of Phenanthrene Contaminated Soils by Chemical Pre-oxidation

Abstract

ABSTRACT

A two-step oxidation process was investigated for the treatment of phenanthrene contaminated soil fines (particle diameter <63 μm) resulting from a soil washing process. Oxone® (2KHSO₅·KHSO₄·K₂SO₄) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) 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.