The use of electrobioremediation in hydrocarbon release and bioremediation

Hydrocarbon bioavailability is a relevant parameter for bioremediation technologies, especially in old contaminated sites. The aim of this work was to apply electrobioremediation (EKB) of sediments with two types of contaminant; in one case, it was an old hydrocarbon contaminant adsorbed by the sediment particle and in the second case, it was a laboratory added contaminant, which included phenanthrene and hexadecane. The removal of the added contaminant was fast, about 30 days in the case of the hexadecane and 61 days in the case of phenanthrene; but on day 91, naphtalin, 1- methylnaphtalin and 2- methyl naphthlin appeared and were then degraded except in the cathode zone. The use of EKB removed and bioremediated the old contaminant contained in the sediment sample.