Engineered bioremediation schemes require the external supply of nutrients to sustain desired microbiological activities. Most often electron and/or carbon donors or electron acceptors are introduced, but often nutrients such as phosphate or nitrogen sources are also beneficial.  However, effective introduction of phosphate into the subsurface is challenging because the addition of high concentrations of inorganic phosphate can lead to rapid clogging of injection wells due to formation of phosphate minerals or biomass, and consequently distribution of the phosphate beyond the immediate vicinity of injection is limited.  We have investigated the potential for microbial degradation of the organic compound triethylphosphate (TEP) to aid in the subsurface dissemination of phosphate.  Our results indicate that TEP can serve as a slow release source of phosphate by environmentally derived consortia, and when provided in conjunction with another carbon and electron donor (e.g., ethanol, or lactate), microbial growth is enhanced.

Phosphorus amendments for in situ bioremediation

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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