Case Study - Biotreatability Test
FREON-11 biodegradation: LABORATORY TEST
TREATED MATRIX
Groundwater
Contaminants
Trichlorofluoromethane (also called Freon-11, CFC-11, R-11)
Remedial Action
Bioremediation
Method
Supplement of a nutriente mix to enhance Freon-11 biodegradation by native microbial community.
The present microcosm laboratory test has demonstrated the biotreatibility of trichlorofuoromethane contaminated groundwater with a bioremediation system based on the biostimulation of natural occurring microorganisms.
The test was set up under anaerobic conditions. Two different mixtures of macro and micronutrients (G and GS) were added to contaminated groundwater samples in serum bottles. A negative control was also prepared under the same conditions, but no nutrient mix was added. Contaminant depletion occurs with a biological reaction in which halogen atoms on freon-11 molecule are replaced with hydrogen, resulting in complete mineralization or production of less harmful intermediates.
Freon-11 biodegradation is shown in the Fig. below. In the groundwater sample amended with nutrient mixture “G”, Freon-11 was degraded after 35 days of incubation. “GS” amendment, a different nutrient mixture, promoted Freon-11 biodegradation in 55 days. In the groundwater sample without amendments (negative control), no freon-11 biodegradation was observed. Values are means of two replicates.
