Theoretical modeling of biodegradation and biotransformation of hydrocarbons in subsurface environments.

Hydrocarbons such as TCE, PCE, TCA, gasoline and kerosene which are widely used in the industry, enter soils and groundwater from chemical waste disposal sites and from accidents. These types of substances are the most commonly encountered groundwater contaminants nationwide. Biotransformation of dissolved chlorinated hydrocarbons can provide complete mineralization to harmless end products such as CO2. It is the objective of this work to investigate the biodegradation and biotransformation, and transport of hydrocarbons in groundwater. This will be achieved first by defining and identifying relevant physical and biological processes which contribute to the fate of hydrocarbon contaminants in unsaturated/saturated soils, and providing a conceptual framework for incorporating these processes into a mathematical formulation. The conservation principles expressed in terms of quantifications of the physical, chemical and microbial processes described above lead to a system governing the phenomenon which consists of nonlinear partial differential equations. Microbial transformation conducted by both anaerobic and aerobic bacteria are considered.