A combined approach to remediate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at a former manufactured gas plant site

A remediation technology consisting of biodegradation and a modified Fenton reaction was developed to degrade mixtures of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) at a former manufactured gas plant (MGP) site. The original Fenton reaction (i.e., $H_2O$$_2$ + Fe$^{2+}$) was modified to be biocompatible by using ferric ions and chelating agents such as catechol and gallic acid. The modified reaction was effective in degrading PAHs at near neutral pH and thus was compatible with biodegradation. By the combined treatment of the modified Fenton reaction and biodegradation, more than 98% of 2- or 3-ring hydrocarbons and between 70 and 85% of 4- or 5-ring compounds were degraded in the MGP soil, while maintaining its pH about 6.6.