Innovative hybrid bioremediation and desalination for hydrocarbon- and salt- contaminated soils and groundwater

碳氢化合物资源仍然是不可或缺的能源，也是推动加拿大经济增长的核心因素之一。然而，碳氢化合物能源的密集开采对周围的土壤和地下水资源构成环境风险。许多油田现场同时受到碳氢化合物（有机）和共提取盐和/或金属（无机）的影响，加拿大现场（包括北方现场）的混合污染是一个紧迫的环境问题，其补救成本因多种挑战性条件而大幅增加。在与帝国石油和PINTER & Associates的合作中，Wonjae Chang博士（首席研究员）和他的研究团队将专注于混合生物修复和脱盐（HBD）技术，专门用于环境挑战条件下的混合有机和无机污染物。我们的目标是协同联合收割机生物和物理化学修复过程中去除碳氢化合物，Na+和Cl-（和其他环境重要的阴离子）从受影响的土壤，含盐渗滤液和地下水。HDB工艺的两个关键要素是（1）能够在脱盐过程中降解碳氢化合物的天然、耐盐、冷适应细菌，以及（2）可以容易地将盐阳离子和阴离子结合到其矿物框架中的天然和工程矿物。HBD工艺是一个创新概念，将广泛促进专门针对混合污染的补救技术的发展。这项研究处于加拿大可持续发展和环境创新的前沿。这将有利于公共安全和加拿大能源的环境可持续性。这项研究将有助于满足加拿大今天的需求，并将成为加拿大未来的一个高影响力的研究领域。

Hydrocarbon-based resources are still indispensable sources of energy and one of the core elements driving economic growth in Canada. However, the intensified extraction of hydrocarbon energy resources is posing environmental risks to surrounding soil and groundwater resources. Numerous oilfield sites are impacted simultaneously by hydrocarbons (organic) and co-extracted salts and/or metals (inorganic), and mixed contamination at Canadian sites, including northern sites, is a pressing environmental concern for which the costs of remediation are prohibitively increased by multiple challenging conditions. In collaboration with Imperial Oil and PINTER & Associates, Dr. Wonjae Chang (Principal Investigator) and his research team will focus on hybrid bioremediation and desalination (HBD) technologies specialized for mixed organic and inorganic contaminants in environmentally challenging conditions. We aim to synergistically combine biological and physicochemical remediation processes for the removal of hydrocarbons, Na+ and Cl- (and other environmentally significant anions) from impacted soils, saline leachate and groundwater. The two key elements of the HDB process are (1) native, halotolerant, cold-adapted bacteria capable of degrading hydrocarbons during desalination, and (2) natural and engineered minerals that can readily incorporate salt cations and anions into their mineral frameworks. The HBD process is an innovative concept that will broadly foster the development of remediation technologies specialized for mixed contamination. This research is on the frontline of Canada's innovation for sustainable development and the environment. It will be beneficial to public safety and the environmental sustainability of Canadian energy. This research will contribute to meeting Canada's needs today and will become a high-impact research field for Canada's future.