What analyses are included with SIP and what do they tell me?
- Date added:
- Thursday, 05 February 2009
Answer
Bio-Trap samplers used for SIP studies are analyzed using a modifed version of our PLFA analysis as well as by GC/MS to assess changes in the concentration of the contaminant of interest. Results from these two approaches are used to tell us the following:
1) PLFA analysis:
- Concentration of biomass which utilized the 13C enriched compound (which proves biodegradation occurred).
- Concentration of total microbial biomass which can be used to calculate the % of the community which utilized the 13C enriched compound.
- Microbial community structure. (see our pages on PLFA analysis for futher details).
2) Contaminant assessment:
- Concentration of the compound of interest (e.g benzene, MTBE) which remains in the beads. From this, the % loss and the first order rate of degradation can be estimated.
