Project Summary (2000-2006)

The objective of this study is to develop tools for evaluating the progress of in situ bioremediation of chlorinated solvents. Two specific approaches are being used. The first is based upon stable isotopic analyses and the second is based upon application of molecular biological tools. In the first approach, the specific goal is to broaden understanding of the fractionation of chlorine and carbon stable isotopes during the metabolic, co-metabolic, and abiotic degradation of chlorinated solvents such as perchloroethylene (PCE), trichloroethylene (TCE), and carbon tetrachloride (CT) under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. In the second approach, the specific goal is to adapt tools such as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) techniques for use in evaluating the relative contribution of different physiological groups of bacteria to the degradation of chlorinated solvents in contaminated subsurface soils.