Biodegradation of Naturally Occurring Substances in Produced Water - Revision of data for the DREAM model

Abstract

A literature review was conducted to obtain more reliable primary (biotransformation) and ultimate (biomineralization) biodegradation rates for compounds in produced water for the DREAM model, than the current biodegradation data. During the literature review, it became apparent that many compounds lacked quality ultimate biodegradation rates, which is preferred in the model. Therefore, ultimate biodegradation rates for these compounds were estimated based on their primary biodegradation rates and a FACTOR. These data and calculations are described in the report below. Calculated ultimate biodegradation rates are compared to rates found in the literature. This report also includes two separate Excel spreadsheets that summarize the prima ry and ultimate biodegradation data obtained during the literature review and their corresponding experimental details. A Q10 approach was applied to calculated ultimate biodegradation rates to display rates at three relevant temperatures (5, 13, and 20°(). The ultimate biodegradation rates included in this report will substantially improve the DREAM model, but the majority of these rates are extrapolated estimates. Additional biodegradation tests are recommended to correlate these calculations with laboratory experiments.