Grants and Contributions:

Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year (2017-2018 to 2018-2019).

Bioremediation technology for petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soils in cold climates has beenx000D
extensively explored. Numerous ex-situ bioremediation studies have suggested that biostimulation usingx000D
water-soluble nutrient supplies and/or aeration can enhance the biodegradation activity of indigenousx000D
cold-adapted, hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria. This has become a common practice at northern sites. However,x000D
the success of ex-situ bioremediation at cold sites largely relies on seasonal soil thermal regimes, particularly inx000D
terms of unfrozen water availability in contaminated soils. Understanding soil parameters and their effect onx000D
soil phase changes is crucial for planning, designing, and managing the remediation of contaminated soils inx000D
cold climates. Spatio-temporal changes in soil temperatures and unfrozen water content during seasonal soilx000D
freeze/thaw are predictable using numerical soil modelling tools for uncontaminated soils. However, numericalx000D
tools in the literature have not been extensively validated for petroleum-contaminated soils, especially duringx000D
bioremediation. SoilVision Systems is a leading engineering software developer that provides soil thermalx000D
modelling and other modelling software for engineering applications. Dr. Chang's recent numerical simulationx000D
study has highlighted the potential to advance soil thermal models for bioremediation inx000D
petroleum-contaminated soils. The overarching goal of the proposed research, Integrated Soil Processx000D
Modelling to Support the Management and Bioremediation of Petroleum Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Soils inx000D
Cold Climates, is therefore to develop new integrated knowledge-based numerical modelling tools to supportx000D
bioremediation planning and management for petroleum-contaminated soils in cold climates. SoilVision'sx000D
thermal model will be validated using existing laboratory and field bioremediation data from a cold site, andx000D
integrated with microbial respiration modelling specialized for seasonally freezing and thawing contaminatedx000D
soils during bioremediation. This novel approach will advance the planning, design, and management ofx000D
remediation for petroleum-contaminated soils in remote cold regions.