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CE 521 Environmental Biotechnology

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Enhanced In-Situ Groundwater Bioremediation of Nitrate from Agricultural Sources (Pesticide and Fertilizer) Leaching using Biological Denitrification

Patricia Ann A. Jaranilla-Sanchez

ABSTRACT

The different available technologies available in Enhanced in-situ bioremediation of nitrate from pesticide and fertilizer leaching are discussed in this paper. Nitrate in moderate amounts is not toxic to human health but in high concentrations, nitrate poses deleterious effects. 

In the past, groundwater contamination from agricultural sources was, for the most part, below levels that have been found to cause disease, concern, or any problems when establishing large agricultural operations and in choosing sites for waste disposal. However, recent studies in groundwater show that nitrate levels are above the public water supply maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 milligrams per liter (mg/l) which is equal to 10 parts per million (ppm) for nitrate-nitrogen set by the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 (EPA,1992). 

Several studies have been conducted to address this problem of nitrate contamination in groundwater. Presented in this paper are several technology overviews in enhanced in-situ bioremediation of groundwater contamination. Common practices and current methods developed such as the SLAD (Sulfur Limestone Autotrophic Denitrification) and EISBD (Enhanced in-situ Bioremediation) in the bioremediation of nitrate to address the problem is also discussed.

KEYWORDS

Nitrate, In-situ Bioremediation, groundwater, water quality

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