Biological Treatment of Nitrate and Perchlorate in Groundwater

Contaminated groundwater at an operating explosives plant has been successfully treated by Hydrometrics, Inc. through its Anoxic Biotreatment Cell (ABC) process. In recently concluded column tests, two carbon sources were evaluated for removal of nitrate and perchlorate. In both columns, the nitrate-nitrogen concentration was reduced from approximately 300 mg/L to below 10 mg/L, which is the drinking water standard. However, only one carbon source was utilized by the bacteria to simultaneously remove perchlorate. In this column, the perchlorate concentration was reduced from approximately 40 mg/L to below the detection limit of 0.008 mg/L.

Following regulatory approval, the next step at this facility will be an on-site pilot test at a flow rate of several gallons per minute. This test is anticipated to begin in late 2000 or early 2001. Bench testing and reporting was completed for approximately $10,000.

For more information contact Dr. Mark Reinsel at 406-443-4150, mreinsel@hydrometrics.com, or see www.hydrometrics.com/ABC.