While it is difficult for biological systems to form on sandy soils, due to their poor adhesive qualities, augmentation with bacterial strains that produce large quantities of polysaccharides (such as are found in CF 7036, 7037 & 7038 and their liquid equivalents) is one key to successful remediation. With the right augmentation, sandy soil remediates faster, since less hydrocarbon is capable of adhering to a sand particle, on a mass to mass ratio.

If the pH is outside the optimal operating range (6.8 - 7.4), it may be necessary to chemically adjust it. CF 7036 can perform within a range of 6.0 - 8.5, but performs faster in the optimal range.) Be sure to avoid using calcium based buffers, as they will bind the phosphorus, inhibiting the remedial process.

When dealing with drilling mud, the saline content should be checked. If drying and mechanical separation have increased the salt content above 3%, additional water must be added to dilute the salt. When salt specialty microbes are needed, Alken Clear-Flo 5100 is the best choice, tolerating up to 7.5% salt. We also have salt tolerant hydrogen sulfide microbes that can be added to that formula, if necessary, to produce a customized treatment .

Alken Clear-Flo® 7036  is designed to provide exceptionally rapid recovery following bacterial kills; to maintain biological system stability; degrade high concentrations of difficult compounds such as hydrocarbons, phenols, starches, proteins, grease, oil, fats, detergents, hydrogen sulfide, papers and cellulose. Also contains 7 extra strains that specifically target the heavier hydrocarbons, such as PAH, in #4, #5, and #6 fuels. This formula contains certain strains of Pseudamonas, which produce extra-cellular biosurfactants to enhance interfacial exchanges, and other strains, which produce extracellular polysaccharides, allowing them to form biofilms on the soil matrix, in essence causing the formula to "stick" to the soil.  This consortium can oxidize compounds normally considered recalcitrant 40 to 75 times as effectively as wild strains. The average application rate is between 0.5 lbs. per cubic yard to 0.75 lbs. per cubic yard of treatment area.