APPLICATION OF BIO-TRAP SAMPLERS IN CONJUNCTION WITH REAL-TIME PCR (CENSUS) ANALYSIS TO DIRECTLY ASSESS PETROLEUM HYDROCARBON DEGRADATION

Greg A. Davis*
Dora Ogles
Deb McElroy
Josh Streufert
Microbial Insights
2340 Stock Creek Blvd
Rockford, TN 37853
Voice: 865-573-8188
Fax: 865-573-8133
E-mail: gdavis@microbe.com

Aaron Peacock
Center for Biomarker Analysis
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN

Kerry Sublette
University of Tulsa
Tulsa, OK

The combination of Bio-Trap samplers with molecular based diagnostic tools was used to evaluate microbial communities from three different BTEX contaminated aquifers. Remediation strategies evaluated varied from natural attenuation to monitoring oxygen and sulfate amendments. Samples were collected from Bio-Trap samplers which are small sampling devices that provide an integrated picture of the microbial community over time, thus compensating for inherent variability associated with other sampling approaches. Molecular diagnostic tools based upon real-time PCR (CENSUS) were used to quantify the abundance of specific microbial functional genes associated with BTEX degradation. Results showed that this combined approach provided a rapid, direct method to obtain accurate information on the effectiveness of monitored natural attenuation and enhanced bioremediation strategies. This approach led to an increased understanding of site dynamics, and more effective site decision making.