Biodegradabilities of some chain oils in groundwater as determined by the respirometric BOD OxiTop method.

The respirometric BOD OxiTop method was used to monitor the biodegradation of different chain oils (mineral, rapeseed and tall oils) over 28 days in groundwater, as well as in standard conditions described by OECD 301 F. The aim of the study was to gather more information about the biodegradability of forestry oils in groundwater, as well as about the suitability of the automatic OxiTop method for biodegradation measurements. The BOD OxiTop method proved to be a precise and reliable technique for determining the biodegradations of different oils. Some comparative studies were also made using a traditional IR method in order to clarify the total oil concentrations. The results show that if biodegradation only is to be monitored, the OxiTop method is preferable. This is due to the influence of other reactions aside from biodegradation on total hydrocarbon concentrations when using the IR method.