Methods and apparatus are disclosed for remediating metal contaminants using
hydrocarbons which stimulate the growth of hydrocarbon-utilizing bacteria. The
metal contaminants may include heavy metals such as arsenic, antimony, beryllium,
cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, iron, manganese, magnesium, radium, nickel,
selenium, silver, thallium and zinc. The hydrocarbon may include alkanes, alkenes,
Aalkynes, poly(alkene)s, poly(alkyne)s, aromatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbon
polymers and aliphatic hydrocarbons. Butane is a particularly suitable hydrocarbon
which stimulates the growth of butane-utilizing bacteria. Remediation may occur
in-situ or ex-situ, and may occur under aerobic, anaerobic or dual aerobic/anaerobic
conditions. Examples of applications include the remediation of heavy metals, the
remediation of arsenic impacted surface water, groundwater and/or soil, the remediation
of acid mine drainage, and the treatment of spent metal plating solutions.
