Improved biomass distribution using pulsed injections of electron donor and acceptor

In situ bioremediation relies on the creation of contaminant-degrading biomass in subsurface soils. Pulsed injection of the electron donor and acceptor has been suggested as a method for evenly distributing biomass for more effective in situ bioremediation. Biofilms were developed in laboratory soil columns under both pulsed and continuous acetate and nitrate delivery using denitrifying conditions with acetate as the sole carbon and energy source. Separate experiments were conducted with either continuous or pulsed addition. Pulsing resulted in more evenly distributed biomass profiles as measured by both tryptic soy agar plate counts and total protein.