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Final Report: Utilization of the Carbon and Hydrogen Isotopic Composition of Individual Compounds in Refined Hydrocarbon Products To Monitor Their Fate in the Environment
EPA Grant Number: R830633C005Alternative EPA Grant Number: R827015C032
Subproject: this is subproject number 005 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R830633
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: IPEC University of Tulsa (TU)
Center Director: Sublette, Kerry L.
Title: Utilization of the Carbon and Hydrogen Isotopic Composition of Individual Compounds in Refined Hydrocarbon Products To Monitor Their Fate in the Environment
Investigators: Philp, R. Paul , Kuder, Tomasz
Institution: University of Oklahoma
EPA Project Officer: Krishnan, Bala S.
Project Period: September 1, 2004 through December 31, 2006 (Extended to August 31, 2007)
Project Amount: Refer to main center abstract for funding details.
RFA: Integrated Petroleum Environmental Consortium (IPEC) (1999)
Research Category: Targeted Research
Description:
Objective:The goal of this work is to develop a method utilizing compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA), which can be successfully applied to contaminated sites, to demonstrate the onset of natural attenuation of contaminants and monitor the extent and progress of this attenuation. The compounds of primary interest in this study are MTBE, TBA and volatile hydrocarbons associated with refined hydrocarbon products. The proposed objective was followed through a combined laboratory and field study. Three main lines of research were: (1) characterization of isotope effects resulting from biodegradation of gasoline-range contaminants (MTBE in particular); (2) evaluation of abiotic weathering (e.g., volatilization) for potential interference with CSIA; and (3) determination of the initial (pre-degradation) isotope signatures of various gasoline-range oxygenates and hydrocarbons. The obtained results should permit more confident interpretation of CSIA data obtained from contaminated sites.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):Isotope effects resulting from biodegradation of MTBE
To conduct the microcosm biodegradation study, sediment samples were collected from sites offering high potential of MTBE biodegradation. Sites where sediment samples were collected for the MTBE microcosm construction were selected based on the criteria of historical MTBE concentration data (decrease of MTBE corresponding to a transient accumulation of TBA) and on standard geochemical biodegradation footprints. Additionally, CSIA was performed on groundwater samples prior to sediment sample collection. Only the sites where the traditional biodegradation criteria were met and the isotope data were indicative of anaerobic biodegradation (cf. Kuder and Philp, 2008) were selected for sediment sampling. The sediment samples were collected from the areas of the historical transition from peak MTBE to peak TBA concentrations, typically away from the present plume maximum concentrations. In addition, two sites were selected for TBA-only experiment. Both sites had previously-determined isotope ratios of TBA in groundwater, that were more positive than the typical field values observed in various plumes. In one case samples of water with sediment suspension were collected, in the other case, two sediment samples were collected from the area of TBA plume.
All microcosms were set for anaerobic conditions, including live and control replicates. The electron acceptor conditions were chosen on the basis of the actual concentrations of sulfate and methane at the time of sampling. The two subsets of microcosms will be referred to as methanogenic (low initial sulfate concentration and methane accumulation over the duration of experiment) and sulfate reducing or SR (high initial sulfate, no accumulation of methane). The presence of alternative electron acceptors, in particular Fe3+ in the SR samples cannot be excluded. The microcosm bottles were amended with MTBE (up to 10-20 ppm) or with TBA (up to 40-60 ppm) and periodically monitored (MTBE, TBA, sulfate and methane concentration). Once there was evidence of apparent reduction of substrate (MTBE only, to date none of the microcosms exhibited TBA biodegradation activity) concentrations, time-series of samples were collected for CSIA. Active microcosms were re-amended several times to collect mode data points. Eventually, each active microcosm bottle was sampled multiple times at various stages of attenuation, allowing high-precision determination of isotope effects. Carbon and hydrogen CSIA data were collected.
For all of the studied MTBE-amended sediments, at least some of the replicates developed anaerobic MTBE-degrading activity, permitting measurement of isotope enrichment factors (ε). The values of ε for MTBE degradation calculated for the data sets from all of the active microcosms are virtually identical and cluster around -18. This value implies even stronger isotope effect for this type of reaction than the values reported earlier. The difference is likely due to different experimental designs. Unlike in the previous studies, all of the microcosms discussed here were kept homogenous (culture bottles set on a shaker or turned over daily) to minimize heterogeneity of the medium and avoid underestimation of isotope effects. The consistency of the value between the individual data sets from different sediment samples, identical for the methanogenic and the sulfate reducing conditions, gives strong support for using the obtained value of ε in evaluation of MTBE degradation in-situ to calculate the amount of degraded MTBE.
Isotope effects resulting from abiotic weathering of MTBE
As described in our proposal, the two non-degradative processes potentially leading to isotope effects are sorption and volatilization. Recent publications in the field provide a good basis to understand the significance of sorption in isotope fractionation of contaminants. The basic conclusion from their work is that the contribution of sorption of VOC to the net isotope effect as observed at field conditions is negligible and limited to a narrow front of an expanding contaminant plume. For MTBE, in particular, there was no measurable sorption-related isotope fractionation. A lab study on the volatilization-related isotope effects was initiated in the second year of the project. A conceptual model of volatilization of MTBE involves a cumulative effect of phase equilibria and of diffusive/advective venting of the gas phase. Volatilization-related isotope effects are similarly complex and experiments were set up to measure both the individual components and the net fractionation. Equilibrium fractionation of carbon and hydrogen isotopes was measured for simple 2-phase systems: water-air, water-NAPL and NAPL-air. Kinetic fractionation associated with diffusion of MTBE vapor through a porous medium was also determined. Sediment column experiments on passive and advective (such as in air sparging) volatilization of MTBE from aqueous and NAPL phase have been completed. The latter involve complex isotope effects, resulting from a combination of phase equilibria and vapor diffusion. The general conclusion is that the carbon isotope effects resulting from volatilization are low or absent. The largest value was observed in passive volatilization of MTBE, with a carbon isotope enrichment factor of approximately –1‰. In the advective volatilization, none or minor inverse effects (change of isotope ratios opposite to those resulting from biodegradation) were observed.
Net change of carbon isotope ratio due to volatilization of MTBE (even at sites undergoing vapor phase extraction or air sparging treatment) is not likely to exceed the analytical error of CSIA and therefore it is not a significant factor for site evaluation. On the other hand, hydrogen isotope fractionation resulting from volatilization is higher. The worst-case scenario occurs for air sparging. Enrichments of hydrogen isotopes resulting from air sparging may be mistaken for aerobic biodegradation signal. While MTBE in particular is not readily volatilizing from the aqueous medium, the contaminated sites are frequently subject to remediation techniques such as air sparging or soil vapor extraction. The potential for interferences from weathering is proportional to the extent of mass attenuation via the vapor phase and isotope effects resulting from air sparging or soil vapor extraction should be studied in more detail. Site evaluation relying on hydrogen isotope signatures (i.e., the situations where aerobic biodegradation signal is sought) should consider the potential interference from volatilization-related phenomena.
Isotope compositions of commercial gasolines
Evaluation of stable isotope data from biodegraded materials requires a benchmark of pre-degradation isotope ratios. Only if the pre-degradation isotope ratios are known, the isotope ratios measured in-situ can show that attenuation resulted with any change of δ13C or δD that can be interpreted as a signature of biodegradation. Several previously published studies show isotope ratios of various compounds in commercial gasolines. Data obtained in this project are intended to fill some gaps in the overall record.
Samples of gasoline have been analyzed by CSIA to obtain carbon and hydrogen isotope ratios of MTBE and the aromatic fraction (monoaromatics and naphthalene). Carbon isotope ratios only have been determined for TBA (due to a problematic accuracy of hydrogen isotope ratios measured for alcohols). While a standard approach for gasoline CSIA is a direct injection onto a GC-IRMS instrument, all of the reported data have been obtained by purge-and-trap-GC-IRMS analysis of aqueous phase equilibrated with gasoline. This approach improved GC resolution of the samples (oxygenates in particular). In the standard methodology, GC separation of MTBE, while adequate for the purpose of concentration determination, is not ideal and therefore the isotope ratio determination may be biased except in high-MTBE samples. TBA cannot be determined by direct injection due to major coelution with light gasoline fractions. An overall increase of GC separation quality for the aromatic fraction is also expected due to preferential partitioning of the aromatics into the aqueous phase.
Field applications – focus on MTBE and benzene
Groundwater samples from a number of contaminated sites have been analyzed by CSIA to detect changes in isotope ratios indicative of in-situ biodegradation. Attenuation of gasoline oxygenates and benzene was studied. For benzene, two-dimensional CSIA analysis (carbon and hydrogen) has the best potential to show a fractionation pattern consistent with benzene biodegradation. On the other hand, due to relatively low magnitude of isotope fractionation in the case of benzene, carbon CSIA alone seems to be insufficient to confirm in-situ biodegradation. The results on MTBE show carbon isotope effects due to anaerobic degradation. CSIA can be also used to verify the extent of biodegradation at sites with induced aerobic activity (e.g., aeration by air sparging).
- The magnitude of isotope fractionation due to anaerobic biodegradation of MTBE has been determined in microcosm studies. Similar ranges of ε were observed in all of the studied cultures. The obtained value appears to be representative for diverse microbiologies and should be used in Rayleigh-model calculation of the extent of MTBE biodegradation.
- Stable isotope analysis of gasoline compounds (MTBE, TBA and aromatic hydrocarbons) confirms earlier findings on relatively narrow range of their carbon isotope composition. Much wider variability of hydrogen isotope compositions is apparent, and should be considered when in-situ contaminant source is not determined.
- Non-degradative attenuation (e.g., volatilization), while not a significant factor affecting carbon isotope ratios of VOC-range contaminants, can under certain conditions (e.g., extensive attenuation via vapor phase induced by air sparging) lead to hydrogen isotope fractionation of considerable magnitude. In the case of MTBE, the resulting isotope fractionation trends can be mistaken for an evidence of aerobic biodegradation. Discrimination of isotopic signals due to MTBE aerobic degradation and volatilization can be difficult if site history is not accounted for.
- Site assessment approach will vary depending on the contaminant and the likely attenuation mechanism. While carbon CSIA is sufficient to demonstrate anaerobic degradation of MTBE, combined carbon and hydrogen CSIA is preferred for gasoline-range hydrocarbons.
Journal Articles on this Report: 1 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
| Other subproject views: | All 10 publications | 2 publications in selected types | All 2 journal articles |
| Other center views: | All 135 publications | 26 publications in selected types | All 19 journal articles |
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Kuder T, Philp P. Modern geochemical and molecular tools for monitoring in-situ biodegradation of MTBE and TBA. Reviews in Environmental Science and Biotechnology 2008;7(1):79-91. |
R830633C005 (2006) R830633C005 (Final) |
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Water, groundwater, sediments, bioavailability, metabolism, chemicals, toxics, VOC, NAPL, organics, bioremediation, cleanup, environmental chemistry, monitoring, analytical, measurement methods, EPA Regions (1 through 10), petroleum industry,
Progress and Final Reports:
2005 Progress Report
2006 Progress Report
Original Abstract
Main Center Abstract and Reports:
R830633 IPEC University of Tulsa (TU)
Subprojects under this Center:
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R827015C001 Evaluation of Road Base Material Derived from Tank Bottom Sludges
R827015C002 Passive Sampling Devices (PSDs) for Bioavailability Screening of Soils Containing Petrochemicals
R827015C003 Demonstration of a Subsurface Drainage System for the Remediation of Brine-Impacted Soil
R827015C004 Anaerobic Intrinsic Bioremediation of Whole Gasoline
R827015C005 Microflora Involved in Phytoremediation of Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons
R827015C006 Microbial Treatment of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM)
R827015C007 Using Plants to Remediate Petroleum-Contaminated Soil
R827015C008 The Use of Nitrate for the Control of Sulfide Formation in Oklahoma Oil Fields
R827015C009 Surfactant-Enhanced Treatment of Oil-Contaminated Soils and Oil-Based Drill Cuttings
R827015C010 Novel Materials for Facile Separation of Petroleum Products from Aqueous Mixtures Via Magnetic Filtration
R827015C011 Development of Relevant Ecological Screening Criteria (RESC) for Petroleum Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Exploration and Production Sites
R827015C012 Humate-Induced Remediation of Petroleum Contaminated Surface Soils
R827015C013 New Process for Plugging Abandoned Wells
R827015C014 Enhancement of Microbial Sulfate Reduction for the Remediation of Hydrocarbon Contaminated Aquifers - A Laboratory and Field Scale Demonstration
R827015C015 Locating Oil-Water Interfaces in Process Vessels
R827015C016 Remediation of Brine Spills with Hay
R827015C017 Continuation of an Investigation into the Anaerobic Intrinsic Bioremediation of Whole Gasoline
R827015C018 Using Plants to Remediate Petroleum-Contaminated Soil
R827015C019 Biodegradation of Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Salt-Impacted Soil by Native Halophiles or Halotolerants and Strategies for Enhanced Degradation
R827015C020 Anaerobic Intrinsic Bioremediation of MTBE
R827015C021 Evaluation of Commercial, Microbial-Based Products to Treat Paraffin Deposition in Tank Bottoms and Oil Production Equipment
R827015C022 A Continuation: Humate-Induced Remediation of Petroleum Contaminated Surface Soils
R827015C023 Data for Design of Vapor Recovery Units for Crude Oil Stock Tank Emissions
R827015C024 Development of an Environmentally Friendly and Economical Process for Plugging Abandoned Wells
R827015C025 A Continuation of Remediation of Brine Spills with Hay
R827015C026 Identifying the Signature of the Natural Attenuation of MTBE in Goundwater Using Molecular Methods and "Bug Traps"
R827015C027 Identifying the Signature of Natural Attenuation in the Microbial
Ecology of Hydrocarbon Contaminated Groundwater Using Molecular Methods and
"Bug Traps"
R827015C028 Using Plants to Remediate Petroleum-Contaminated Soil: Project Continuation
R827015C030 Effective Stormwater and Sediment Control During Pipeline Construction Using a New Filter Fence Concept
R827015C031 Evaluation of Sub-micellar Synthetic Surfactants versus Biosurfactants for Enhanced LNAPL Recovery
R827015C032 Utilization of the Carbon and Hydrogen Isotopic Composition of Individual Compounds in Refined Hydrocarbon Products To Monitor Their Fate in the Environment
R830633 Integrated Petroleum Environmental Consortium (IPEC)
R830633C001 Development of an Environmentally Friendly and Economical Process for Plugging Abandoned Wells (Phase II)
R830633C002 A Continuation of Remediation of Brine Spills with Hay
R830633C003 Effective Stormwater and Sediment Control During Pipeline Construction Using a New Filter Fence Concept
R830633C004 Evaluation of Sub-micellar Synthetic Surfactants versus Biosurfactants for Enhanced LNAPL Recovery
R830633C005 Utilization of the Carbon and Hydrogen Isotopic Composition of Individual Compounds in Refined Hydrocarbon Products To Monitor Their Fate in the Environment
R830633C006 Evaluation of Commercial, Microbial-Based Products to Treat Paraffin Deposition in Tank Bottoms and Oil Production Equipment
R830633C007 Identifying the Signature of the Natural Attenuation in the Microbial Ecology of Hydrocarbon Contaminated Groundwater Using Molecular Methods and “Bug Traps”
R830633C008 Using Plants to Remediate Petroleum-Contaminated Soil: Project Continuation
R830633C009 Use of Earthworms to Accelerate the Restoration of Oil and Brine Impacted Sites
X832428C001 Effective Stormwater and Sediment Control During Pipeline Construction Using a New Filter Fence Concept
X832428C002 Paraffin Control in Oil Wells Using Anaerobic Microorganisms
X832428C003 Fiber Rolls as a Tool for Re-Vegetation of Oil-Brine Contaminated Watersheds