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Bioremediation Potential in Karst Aquifers of Tennessee and Kentucky

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Karst Groundwater Contamination and Public Health

Part of the book series: Advances in Karst Science ((AKS))

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Abstract

The carbonate aquifers of central Tennessee and Kentucky are vulnerable to dissolved and non-aqueous phase contamination due to contaminant transport through sinkholes, fractures, and other karst features. The complexity of local karst hydrology often prevents the efficient removal of contaminants through the use of traditional pump-and-treat methods. Bioremediation, in some instances, is a viable remediation option, with suitable hydrological, geochemical, and microbial site conditions. Tracer studies are essential for characterizing site hydrology and estimating residence times. Sample collection and evaluation of the geochemical conditions and existing bacterial types are critical as part of the site evaluation. Supplements have been used to stimulate specific microbial populations and foster geochemical conditions which enhance or stimulate degradation or immobilization of the contaminants in a karst aquifer. Bacteria indigenous to Tennessee and Kentucky karst systems are well adapted to a variety of metabolic capabilities and aquifer conditions. Non-traditional groundwater models that incorporate residence time distribution and decay rates are useful tools in the remediation decision-making process.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. U.S. Geological Survey, Lower Mississippi Gulf Water Science Center, 640 Grassmere Park, Suite 100, Nashville, TN, 32711, USA

    Thomas Byl & Michael Bradley

  2. College of Agriculture, Tennessee State University, 3500 John A Merritt Blvd, Nashville, TN, 37209, USA

    Thomas Byl

  3. University of Arkansas at Little Rock, 2801 South University Avenue, Little Rock, AR, 72204-1099, USA

    Lashun K. Thomas

  4. College of Engineering, Tennessee State University, 3500 John A Merritt Blvd, Nashville, TN, 37209, USA

    Roger Painter

Authors
  1. Thomas Byl
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  2. Michael Bradley
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  3. Lashun K. Thomas
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  4. Roger Painter
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Thomas Byl .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Geosciences Department, The Pennsylvania State University Geosciences Department, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA

    William B. White

  2. University of Virginia, Department of Environmental Sciences University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA

    Janet S. Herman

  3. Bucknell University, Department of Geology Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA, USA

    Ellen K. Herman

  4. US Environmental Protection Agency , Washington, DC, USA

    Marian Rutigliano

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Byl, T., Bradley, M., Thomas, L.K., Painter, R. (2018). Bioremediation Potential in Karst Aquifers of Tennessee and Kentucky. In: White, W., Herman, J., Herman, E., Rutigliano, M. (eds) Karst Groundwater Contamination and Public Health. Advances in Karst Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51070-5_10

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