The most direct way to demonstrate the degradation of contaminants in groundwater is to measure whether the organisms that can degrade the contaminants are present. Optimal use of natural attenuation leads to savings on remediation costs and shows the real risks of contamination.
Genetic Plume Profiling is a method that maps all microbiological information from ORVIdetect qPCR and ORVIdecode NGS analyzes in a flow path of contamination. The result is an interactive file with information about the organisms, combined with the contaminants and soil conditions (such as oxygen, nitrate, sulphate, pH, decomposition products). With the interactive file, the desired information can be filtered from the large amount of data.
An example of this is a study into the natural degradation of a naphthalene contamination at a location in Hilversum. A location managed by Bodemzorg. Peter Assenberg of Bodemzorg, part of Afvalzorg:
“Bodemzorg has many years of experience with the aftercare of soil remediation and landfill sites. Before the start of the aftercare program, we wanted to have a clear picture of the natural degradation potential on the site. By not being limited in the number of bacterial species to be measured, we have the burden of proof that the naphthalene contamination breaks down naturally. Even in the source zone and at a depth of forty meters”.
Orvion uses molecular detection techniques to measure DNA and/or RNA in groundwater. The DNA contains genetic information about “which bacterial species are present?” and “what property do the organisms have?”. RNA data answers the question “are the organisms active?”.
Through worldwide scientific research more and more is known about pollution-degrading organisms. For example, more than 75 organisms and genes are known for BTEX that are related to degradation. A range of degrading organisms and genes are also known for other contaminants, such as solvents, fuel additives and pesticides. And that number is increasing every year.
GPP has been deployed at dozens of locations in the Netherlands and Western Europe. With GPP, a breakthrough can be achieved in the remediation approach that can be highly cost-effective. Useful applications have been achieved in locations with mixtures of various VOCl’s, BTEXN, MTBE/TBA, gas plants, industrial sites, etc.
GPP uses a combination of ORVIdetect qPCR and ORVIdecode NGS techniques. Under the product pages of these two techniques you can find out how sampling and delivery of the samples can be carried out.
For more information, please contact Marc van Bemmel or use the contact form .
