Abstract: A method for in-situ dense non-aqueous phase liquids treatment in which a subsurface source area comprising at least one rapid release contaminant is located and free water removed therefrom. The subsurface source area is then heated to a temperature suitable for extracting the at least one rapid release contaminant from the subsurface source area. The at least one rapid release contaminant is extracted from the subsurface source area, resulting in solidification of the dense non-aqueous phase liquids remaining in the subsurface source area.

Abstract: A method and system for phytoremediation of materials contaminated with organic pollutants in which at least one host plant is planted in the material and at least one microorganism capable of degrading at least one of the organic pollutants and enhancing germination, growth and/or survival of the at least one host plant is introduced into the materials.

Abstract: A method for identifying and characterizing contaminated sources in a site having contaminated soils and sediments in which vapor pressure is measured at a plurality of subsurface soil sampling locations of the site, which measurements are then mapped, resulting in generation of a subsurface vapor pressure map. Contaminant mobility at the subsurface soil sampling locations having a peak vapor pressure is then determined and contaminants in fast release compartments and slow release compartments in the contaminated soils and sediments identified. Thereafter, the fraction of contaminants in the fast release compartments and the slow release compartments is determined. Calibration of the contaminant-specific vapor pressure with laboratory measurements of the rapid release fraction at each site allows a meaningful and rapid estimation of the spatial location and mass distribution of source areas.

Abstract: A method for identifying and characterizing contaminated sources in a site having contaminated soils and sediments in which vapor pressure is measured at a plurality of subsurface soil sampling locations of the site, which measurements are then mapped, resulting in generation of a subsurface vapor pressure map. Contaminant mobility at the subsurface soil sampling locations having a peak vapor pressure is then determined and contaminants in fast release compartments and slow release compartments in the contaminated soils and sediments identified. Thereafter, the fraction of contaminants in the fast release compartments and the slow release compartments is determined. Calibration of the contaminant-specific vapor pressure with laboratory measurements of the rapid release fraction at each site allows a meaningful and rapid estimation of the spatial location and mass distribution of source areas.

Abstract: A process for remediation of contaminated solid materials comprising polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon contaminated solid materials, polychlorinated hydrocarbon contaminated materials, and mixtures thereof by sequential biological/chemical/biological treatment in which the contaminated solid materials are biodigested under suitable conditions by a first aerobic or anaerobic digestion, producing a first biodigestion product. The first biodigestion product is then contacted for chemical treatment with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of ferrous ion in amounts and under conditions suitable for chemical oxidation, forming a mixture and oxidizing the first biodigestion product, producing biodegradable hydrocarbon product materials having enhanced biodegradability. The product materials are then biodigested under suitable conditions by a second aerobic or anaerobic digestion.

Abstract: A process for improved remediation of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon and/or polychlorinated hydrocarbon contaminated solid materials by integrated chemical/biological treatment comprising contacting the polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon and/or polychlorinated hydrocarbon for chemical treatment with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of ferrous ion in liquid solution at a temperature of about 10.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C., oxidizing the polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon materials and/or polychlorinated hydrocarbon materials and producing more readily biodegradable hydrocarbon product materials, and then biodigesting the product materials by aerobic and/or anaerobic biodigestion. A lower alcohol added to the chemical treatment in accordance with one embodiment further enhances oxidation of 4- to 6-ring aromatic hydrocarbon contaminants.

Abstract: A process for improved methane production by two-phase anaerobic digestion of organic carbonaceous material in which organic carbonaceous material is fermented under anaerobic conditions in an acid phase digester, forming a liquid/solids effluent, the liquid/solids effluent is fermented under anaerobic conditions in a methane phase digester, product gas comprising methane is withdrawn from the methane phase digester, and oxygen is introduced into the methane phase digester. In a preferred embodiment, the methane phase liquid effluent is passed through a CO.sub.2 stripper resulting in stripping of CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 S from the methane phase liquid effluent. The resulting stripper liquid effluent comprising dissolved oxygen is then recycled back to the methane phase digester.

Abstract: A non-mixed vertical tower anaerobic digester and anaerobic digestion process provides passive concentration of biodegradable feed solids and microorganisms in an upper portion of a continuous digester volume and effluent withdrawal from the middle to bottom portion of the digester, resulting in increased solids retention times, reduced hydraulic retention times, and enhanced bioconversion efficiency. In addition, due to passive concentration of solids, the non-mixed anaerobic digester accommodates high solids loadings and provides separation of microbial phases within the continuous digester volume to achieve substantially complete bioconversion of biodegradable feedstock components.