Feasibility of high pressure injection of chemicals into the subsurface for the bioremediation of the exxon valdez oil

Michel C. Boufadel, Adane M. Bobo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Delivery of dissolved chemicals to bioremediate oil from the Exxon Valdez oil spill was investigated at Beach EL056C of Eleanor Island, Prince William Sound, Alaska. The delivery technique was high pressure injection (HPI) of an inert tracer, lithium, at the approximate depth of 1.0 m into the beach near the mid-tide line. The results revealed that the maximum injection flow rate was 3.0 L/min and the associated pressure was around 196 kPa. Therefore, exceeding any of these values would probably cause failure of the injection system. The injected tracer was monitored at multiple depths of four surrounding observation wells, and the results showed that the tracer plume occupied an area of 12 m2 within 24 h. The tracer plume traveled at the average speeds of 10 m/d in the seaward direction and 1.7 m/d in other directions. The rapid movement under HPI and the large diameter of influence (3.0 m) indicated that bioremediation of the Exxon Valdez oil on this beach via injection of chemicals is logistically feasible.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)59-67
Number of pages9
JournalGround Water Monitoring and Remediation
Volume31
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2011
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Water Science and Technology

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