Anaerobic and aerobic bioremediation of chlorinated solvents and hydrocarbons plumes from an old landfill in the Venice lagoon environment

An old industrial waste landfill with a surface of 16 ha in the surroundings of the Venice lagoon has produced heavy hydrocarbons and chlorinated compounds groundwater contamination. Microbiological and chemical results of a two field tests have confirmed the feasibility of bioremediation and have allowed the facilities design. An organic substrate, able to increase the reductive dehalogenation, was injected and recycled in anaerobic barrier near the landfill; air sparging was performed and nutrients injected in order to increase hydrocarbons degradation in aerobic barrier downgradient. Hydrogeological investigation and microbiological analysis were carried out to verify the effectiveness of the reclamation in anaerobic environment, having achieved chlorinated compounds degradation values of almost 24 kg/day. Further studies are underway to improve the aerobic barrier.