Chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons such as trichloroethylene (TCE) are toxic and carcinogenic at low levels, widely dispersed as groundwater pollutants, and can remaining for decades due to poor water solubility. Bioremediation of TCE has proven to be an effective solution, however local pH shifts have been known to inhibit or become lethal to deployed microorganisms. Additionally, incomplete degradation of TCE may produce more harmful and volatile vinyl chloride (VC). Bacteria can be imbedded into hydrogel systems to slow diffusion of toxic species and provide buffering for pH control. In order to better engineer a hydrogel carrier for bioremediation, we have determined the diffusion coefficients of model charged and uncharged diffusion molecules, CAHs, and protons in different blends of hydrogel polymers (polyvinylalcohol and alginate) using the diaphragm cell method.

Characterizing diffusion in cationic hydrogels for bioremediation applications

2019 Fall National Meeting

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