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saw, %,.� <br /> component if permits can be acquired that. will allow <br /> injection of a portion of the treated water into the area <br /> of known contamination . This water would be rich in <br /> dissolved oxygen, nutrients, and viable bacteria that would <br /> further the remediation process . <br /> The surface area available for microbial "attack" has a <br /> marked influence on the fate of the petroleum <br /> contaminant(s) . Contaminants may be present as a thin <br /> surface film, a stable hydrocarbon--water emulsion, be <br /> entrained within sediments , or associated with suspended <br /> particles . Hydrocarbon utilizing organisms typically <br /> position themselves at the hydrocarbon-water interface, a <br /> location that assures the maximum access to both the <br /> hydrocarbon substrate and water soluble mineral nutrients . <br /> Many such microbes also produce surface active agents that <br /> emulsify oil , thereby, increasing surface area . This <br /> increased surface area also provides additional sites for <br /> microbial development and contaminant utilization. In <br /> order to develop and maintain high biomass , EPM will use <br /> granular activated carbon to support microbial growth <br /> within its reactor vessel . <br /> As with other microbial activities, the rate at which <br /> petroleum products are degraded is strongly temperature <br /> dependent . Mesophilic bacteria (those thriving at moderate <br /> temperatures) are generally considered the most prolific <br /> degraders . As a result , water temperature within the EPM <br /> reactor vessel will be controlled . <br /> In their initial attack on petroleum compounds (and other <br /> hydrocarbons) , bacteria commonly employ oxygenase enzymes <br /> (chemical compounds that catalyze the transfer of oxygen) . <br /> This transfer process requires the presence of molecular <br /> oxygen and its availability must be considered as an <br /> important limiting factor for petroleum degradation . When <br /> low to moderate concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons <br /> are thoroughly dispersed in aerobic water, it is unlikely <br /> that a lack of oxygen is a limiting factor. However, in <br /> cases where pools of hydrocarbons accumulate, in regions of <br /> intense decomposition, and in some groundwater, the <br /> development of anoxic conditions can severely limit the <br /> rate of (bio)degradation. To preclude this , EPM proposes <br /> to utilize bottled oxygen to supply its reactor. <br /> Petroleum is rich in carbon and energy, but deficient in <br /> those mineral nutrients necessary for microbial growth <br /> (primarily nitrogen, phosphorus , and potassium) . <br /> Consequently, petroleum degrading microorganisms must <br /> Page 9 <br />