Bioextraction - A cost-effective remedial approach

Bioextraction is a soil remediation process that combines soil venting with biofiltration. At sites where natural biodegradation of soil contaminants is limited by the availablility of oxygen, forced aeration is the most effective means of providing oxygen to accelerate in-situ biodegradation. Bioextraction maximizes in-situ biodegradation while minimizing vapor removal through controlled aeration. Extraction aeration has the advantage of minimizing the possibility of contaminant off site migration. Biofiltration is most effective in treating biodegradable vapors in a low flowrate situation. The effectiveness of bioextraction process is documented in a case study, where petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated soil is successfully treated with a combination of insitu bioventing with biofiltration.