If ethene is detected at a site, (e.g., <10s of ppb) is there still a need for Dehalococcoides testing?
A. Yes. The detection of low concentrations of ethene at chloroethene contaminated sites often indicates the presence of Dehalococcoides organisms but doesn’t rule out the abiotic production of ethene or cometabolic (biotic) production of ethene. Furthermore, ethene produced at an upgradient location can be transported downgradient, where no active conversion is occurring. The acceptance of MNA remedies by the EPA requires convincing evidence that biological processes are active under site conditions. Gene-Trac Dehalococcoides testing in conjunction with chemical parameters increases the confidence that active biodegradation is actually occurring at the location of contamination.
