Oxygen Limitation in Land Treatment of Concentrated Wastes

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Abstract
Land treatment has been widely employed to biodegrade petroleum wastes. A computer model of oxygen transport in treatment soils has been created. The validity of the model was confirmed in laboratory experiments. Simulations run on the model suggest that high-rate systems may be commonly oxygen limited. Initial aeration of the subsoil and the assumed threshold concentration for aerobic biodegradation did not have substantial effects on system performance. Air-filled soil porosity, which determines the amount of oxygen present after plowing and the rate of diffusion from the atmosphere, strongly influenced results. Oxygen deprivation occurred for systems operating at high respiration rates, but not for those with low rates. It was concluded that oxygen supply limits ultimate land treatment system performance. Oxygen budgets should be considered in management of present systems and in design of future enclosed reactors.