Methods and apparatus are disclosed for remediating sulfur-containing
pollutants with a hydrocarbon that is used to stimulate the growth of
hydrocarbon-utilizing bacteria. The hydrocarbon is preferably an alkane
such as butane. The sulfur-containing pollutant may comprise sulfate,
sulfite, sulfide, disulfides, mercaptans, alkanesulfonates, dialkyl
sulfides, thiosulfate, thiofurans, thiocyanates, isothiocyanates,
thioureas, thiols, thiophenols, thioethers, thiophene, tetrathionate,
dithionite, dialkyl disulfides, sulfones, sulfoxides, sulfolanes,
sulfonic acid, dimethylsulfoniopropionate, sulfonic esters, hydrogen
sulfide, sulfate esters, sulfur dioxide and any other sour gases,
elemental sulfur and any other sulfur-containing material considered to
be a contaminant or pollutant.