BTC Leads The Way With New Bioremediation Approaches & Cultures
February 2, 2007

Degrading MTBE
BTC features a BW-05 aerobic culture which can degrade MTBE (as the sole carbon source) in-situ or ex-situ.  For In-situ application, the culture is introduced into an aerobic zone (ex. area of air sparging).  For ex-situ treatment the GAC columns (must be pressure rated) can be seeded with BTC's culture to maximize MTBE removal and minimize GAC consumption.

Degrading 1,1,1 TCA
Bioremediation of 1,1,1 TCA (TCA) is significantly more challenging than bioremediation of tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichloroethene (TCE) series compounds. BTC's experience over the past eleven years, at over 20 enhanced bioremediation TCA impacted sites indicates that TCA degradation will generally occur after PCE and TCE series compound degradation has generally been completed (or mostly completed). One can generally dechlorinate PCE and TCE with almost any electron donor (lactate, molasses, vegetable oil etc.), but BTC's work has clearly indicated there is a real electron donor preference with TCA degradation. In many instances, these same electron donors will work for TCA dechlorination, however BTC has observed several project sites where whey is the only electron donor that will stimulate TCA dechlorination. These have tended to be mixed solvent and high TCA concentration sites. BTC has speculated that whey contains cofactors that speed up the dechlorination process.  The breakdown of whey (which contains proteins and other complex compounds) also generates more electrons (generating more reducing conditions) than the break down of simple organic acids such as lactate which may be another important factor.  No other firm in the US possesses BTC's experience and knowledge when it comes to degrading 1,1,1 TCA.

Dechlorination in Toxic/Inhibitory Zones
While all of BTC's competitors struggle with bioremediation in high VOC concentrations zones and are still looking for answers, they have been doing this work for ten years (and never thought it was difficult or worth advertising!).  BTC's work has enabled them to successfully degrade up to 550 mg/L of PCE to ethene in the laboratory and in the field by acclimating our NJ-14 culture.  They also practice groundwater detoxification and groundwater mixing as viable options to reduce VOC concentrations to the biodegradable range.  Bioremediation of highly contaminated/inhibitory/toxic zones is truly one of their areas of expertise that is simply unmatched across the world.  BTC has successfully bioremediated sites with VOC concentrations in the thousand of mg/L

Degrading Perchlorate
BTC has bioremediation cultures capable of fully degrading perchlorate within days of acclimation.