Targeting Rendered Animal Co-Products to Transform Environmental Contaminants
- Detailed Technology Description
- Rendered Animal Co-Products can be used as Electron Donors to Increase the Rate and Extent of Contaminant Transformation
- *Abstract
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Rendered animal co-products can be used as electron donors to stimulate microbial respiration of reducible environmental contaminants including the chlorinated solvent trichloroethylene (TCE) and he metal hexavalent chromium. This strategy allows for inexpensive treatment, and increased contaminant transformation rates. More than 100 million people are affected by environmental contaminants worldwide. Rendering animal co-products converts these high fat and protein wastes into stable, usable materials that can be utilized to remove contaminats from groundwater. Most of the current electron donor amendment technologies are based solely on soybean oil. These commodities are very expensive and are oftentimes ineffective in transforming contaminants because they utilize lipid-only electron donors.
A Clemson University researcher has developed a technology that effectively increases the contaminatnt transformation rates by using rendered animal co-products that contain lipid plus protein. By using rendered animal co-products instead of lipid-only electron donors, the cost for bioremidation technology is significantly decreased and degradation rates are improved.
- Country/Region
- USA
