Implementing Molecular Biological Tools to Drive a Novel, Anaerobic Enhanced Bioremediation of Legacy Contaminants

Date: Thursday, January 29, 2026, 12–1 p.m. ET

Abstract

A historic refinery was impacted with legacy benzene, a compound that is generating a resurgence in concern as a primary regulatory driver for many locations. In response, a novel, enhanced in-situ bioremediation (EISB) event was developed to target benzene under the highly anaerobic conditions found at the site. The initial biogeochemical assessment merged traditional geochemical parameters with a unique consortium of innovative molecular biological tools (MBTs). Information gleaned from these studies was used to develop one of the first known (globally) EISB studies to target benzene at an anaerobic location such as this. This project demonstrates that the strategic combination of traditional site monitoring methods and cutting-edge MBTs can provide critical information during project development, maximizing the potential for the successful EISB of targeted contaminants. This project also demonstrates how a unique EISB microbial culture that thrives under anaerobic conditions and is available through SiREM, can successfully target benzene, which is a compound that still prevents site closure at many locations. This presentation will outline this unique, cutting-edge bioaugmentation pilot study that reduced legacy contaminants at a historic site by up to 99%. 

The Presenters

Eleanor M. Jennings, PhDPrincipal Environmental Microbiologist, Parsons Corporation
Dr. Jennings is a Principal Environmental Microbiologist and Biogeochemist with Parsons Corporation. She is also a Subject Matter Expert in the area of merging molecular and stable isotope technologies with traditional techniques to resolve complex environmental site investigations and the remediation of a wide range of contaminants, including but not limited to hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents, 1,4-dioxane, PFAS, and other emerging contaminants. For nine years she was a national board member and the chair of a national committee with the American Society of Microbiology. She was recently honored as a Fellow Emeritus with Parsons.
Portrait of Sandra Dworatzek
Sandra DworatzekSenior Principal Scientist, SiREM
Sandra is a Senior Principal Scientist with more than 25 years of experience in bioremediation of chlorinated solvents, petroleum hydrocarbons, emerging contaminants and other recalcitrant compounds. She has specific technical experience in the design of laboratory treatability studies, the scale up of growth of aerobic and anaerobic microbial cultures for bioaugmentation laboratory and field pilot tests, and evaluation of aerobic and anaerobic bioremediation, zero valent iron and chemical oxidation technologies in the laboratory. She currently provides senior technical oversight of laboratory treatability studies and the development and scaleup of new bioaugmentation cultures, including novel cultures for BTEX compounds under anaerobic conditions and aerobic 1,4-dioxane bioremediation. Sandra currently is the industry lead on a Genome Canada funded project for the commercialization of anaerobic BTEX degrading cultures.