Fundamentals and modeling aspects of bioventing

Short-chain, chlorinated aliphatics are among the most common pollutants in groundwaters and soils. Chlorinated methanes, ethanes, and ethenes have been widely used as industrial solvents without adequate consideration for their disposal and eventual fate in the environment. Their toxicity and carcinogenicity motivated the establishment of enforceable maximum contaminant limits (MCLs) for a number of compounds in the class in the low part per billion range (Westrick et al., 1984). The breadth of problems associated with alkyl halide pollutants and the levels to which remediation has been mandated necessitate the development of new, more efficient technologies for the in-place destruction of these compounds.