Observations of the Bioremediation of Oil Contaminated Soils – Application of EM and Resistivity Imaging Methods

The survey has been carried out in the area the former military underground fuel base situated in the firing ground Borne Sulinowo (NW Poland). The oil contaminations were revealed in 7 zones in the studied area. In 2003 and 2005 yeast strain Yarrowia lipolytica A-101 suspensions were introduced into shallow bore-holes to intensify the bioremediation process. In succeeding seasons the bioremediation was observed and monitored using EM and resistivity imaging measurements. The study showed the significant measurable change in soil electrical properties after several months since the yeast suspension had been introduced into hydrocarbons contaminated soil. The bioremediation can be efficiently observed and monitored with geoelectrical methods such as resistivity imaging or electromagnetic induction ones.