Thermal remediation is an efficient and cost effective method for the removal of organic compounds from the subsurface. However, complete removal of these compounds cannot be achieved by this technology alone. It is generally assumed that bioremediation will provide the polishing steps at thermally treated sites. In this study, soil was collected from a hydrocarbon contaminated site that previously underwent thermal remediation. A microcosm batch study was conducted to determine the impacts of thermal remediation on indigenous microorganisms and their ability to degrade naphthalene. Soils that reached varying peak temperatures were set up in microcosms at temperatures experienced along their respective cooling profiles. Naphthalene degradation was not detected within any of the unamended microcosms within a 6 month time frame, although, archaea growth was detected in the microcosms after 2 months of acclimation, accompanied by iron reduction and significant methane production assumed to have arisen from degradation of methanol.

Thermal remediation is an efficient and cost effective method for the removal of organic compounds from the subsurface. However, complete removal of these compounds cannot be achieved by this technology alone. It is generally assumed that bioremediation will provide the polishing steps at thermally treated sites. In this study, soil was collected from a hydrocarbon contaminated site that previously underwent thermal remediation. A microcosm batch study was conducted to determine the impacts of thermal remediation on indigenous microorganisms and their ability to degrade naphthalene. Soils that reached varying peak temperatures were set up in microcosms at temperatures experienced along their respective cooling profiles. Naphthalene degradation was not detected within any of the unamended microcosms within a 6 month time frame, although, archaea growth was detected in the microcosms after 2 months of acclimation, accompanied by iron reduction and significant methane production assumed to have arisen from degradation of methanol.