Application of Bioventing to Gasoline and Diesel Spills: Development of Heuristic Rules

Knowledge of technology performance under different contamination scenarios is key to effective risk-based corrective action (RBCA). The combination of soil vapour extraction and bioremediation (a.k.a. ‘bioventing’) has been promoted as a cost-effective technology to remediate mixed gasoline and diesel spills. It is therefore worthwhile to systematise its RBCA potential. ‘Rules-of-thumb’ (heuristics) to perform a technology screening, design, operation and monitoring of bioventing are necessary. Variables such as contaminant characteristics, well design, positioning and operation; and performance monitoring can all have significant cost implications.