HR: 0830h
AN: H31B-0451    [PDF]
TI: Effects of bacterial sulfate reduction in saturated sediments on self-potential and magnetic measurements
AU: * Park, S E
EM: parkste@auburn.edu
AF: Auburn University, Dept of Geology 210 Petrie Hall, Auburn, AL 36849 United States
AU: Wolf, L W
EM: lwolf@auburn.edu
AF: Auburn University, Dept of Geology 210 Petrie Hall, Auburn, AL 36849 United States
AU: Lee, M
EM: leeming@auburn.edu
AF: Auburn University, Dept of Geology 210 Petrie Hall, Auburn, AL 36849 United States
AU: Saunders, J
EM: saundja@auburn.edu
AF: Auburn University, Dept of Geology 210 Petrie Hall, Auburn, AL 36849 United States
AB: In situ bioremediation is a non-invasive groundwater remediation technique that stimulates microorganisms to catalyze desirable redox reactions. These redox reactions may be detectable using self-potential (SP) geophysical methods. If the contaminants are metals, chemical changes may also be detectable using magnetic methods. This project explores the suitability of SP and magnetic geophysical methods for monitoring bioremediation of metals contamination. These geophysical methods may be inexpensive, non-invasive alternatives to standard groundwater monitoring practices. The study is divided into a field component and a laboratory component. For the field study, geophysical data were collected at a metals-contaminated site undergoing in situ bioremediation. The data were collected before and after sulfate-reducing bacteria were stimulated by injection of bacterial nutrients into a monitoring well at the site. The collected data were examined for changes in groundwater geochemistry as determined by water sampling. For the laboratory experiment (in progress), a Plexiglas tank containing autoclaved quartz sand saturated with an iron-rich Desulfovibrio (a sulfate-reducing bacteria) media is used to simulate an aquifer. A species of bacteria will be introduced into the tank to remove iron (metal contamination) from the aqueous system. SP and magnetic geophysical data will be collected before and after the bacteria are introduced. The data collected from this part of the study will be compared with the field data to determine relations between microbial activity and geophysical measurements.
DE: 0925 Magnetic and electrical methods
DE: 1099 General or miscellaneous
DE: 1505 Biomagnetism
DE: 1831 Groundwater quality
SC: Hydrology [H]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting