Soil Structure and Stratification

Several important parameters control aquifer bioremediation projects. These include hydraulic conductivity, soil structure and stratification, groundwater mineral content, groundwater pH, temperature, microbial presence, and bench-scale testing, as further discussed below. 

For general purposes, for aquifers with hydraulic conductivity greater than 1CH cm/s, bioremediation can be expected to be successful. Where the sites have lower hydraulic conductivities in the range of 1CH to 10 bioremediation can proceed, but at a slower rate and more management is required. Where the hydraulic conductivity is less than 10-6 cm/s, the success of biodegradation is less likely, unless procedures such as hydrofracking are used. 

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