Can ORC be used with nutrients?
Yes, but the successful application of nutrients to subsurface systems is a complex issue that usually requires significant knowledge of the site and possibly even microcosm experiments in the laboratory. When properly applied, nutrients may increase rates, but the cost and additional work may not be worth the benefits. Injection of nutrients without site knowledge and analysis can give negative results such as nutritional imbalances, microbial fouling of the aquifer, and deterioration of local water sources. Our extensive experience with the application of ORC shows that has probably never failed as a direct result of insufficient nutrients. Typically, oxygen is the limiting factor in contaminant biodegradation, not nutrients like nitrogen or phosphorus. Thus, a lack of nutrients does not prevent biodegradation when ORC is used. For more information on the use of nutrients, we suggest a review of Cookson’s discussion on nutrient addition. This discussion can be found in Appendix B of
