Abstract
The feasibility and performance of full-scale applications of ERD in clay tills were investigated in a research project including 2 sites in Denmark, which have been undergoing remediation since 2006. At both sites organic substrates and bioaugmentation cultures have been injected in TCE-contaminated clay till. An integrated investigative approach consisting of water and clay core sample analysis, including stable isotopes and specific degraders, as well as analysis for chlorinated solvents, degradation products, donor fermentation products and redox-sensitive parameters combined with modelling has been applied. The results showed that the chlorinated solvent TCE was converted into its daughter products (cDCE, VC and ethene) but complete conversion of contaminants to ethene (as expected) was not achieved
within a timeframe of 4 years. Large variation in the effect of ERD in the clay matrix between sites, boreholes and even between cores was observed. Four years post ERD initiation, the mass removal at the 2 sites varied between <5% and 50% within the treated zones. Low mass removal was associated with degradation being restricted to narrow bioactive zones (few cm) around high permeability features in some parts of the clay tills. The bioactive zones may expand in zones where both donor and chlorinated compounds are present. In some cores TCE was depleted (degraded to DCE) in zones up to 1.8 m thick – an extent which could not be explained by diffusive loss to narrow bioactive zones. Hence, biomass migration in the clay matrix appears to play an important role in terms of contaminant mass reduction.
within a timeframe of 4 years. Large variation in the effect of ERD in the clay matrix between sites, boreholes and even between cores was observed. Four years post ERD initiation, the mass removal at the 2 sites varied between <5% and 50% within the treated zones. Low mass removal was associated with degradation being restricted to narrow bioactive zones (few cm) around high permeability features in some parts of the clay tills. The bioactive zones may expand in zones where both donor and chlorinated compounds are present. In some cores TCE was depleted (degraded to DCE) in zones up to 1.8 m thick – an extent which could not be explained by diffusive loss to narrow bioactive zones. Hence, biomass migration in the clay matrix appears to play an important role in terms of contaminant mass reduction.
Original language | English |
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Publication date | 2012 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Publication status | Published - 2012 |
Event | International Conference on Advanced Environmental Science and Technology (AEST12) - Seoul, Korea, Republic of Duration: 26 Aug 2012 → 30 Aug 2012 |
Conference
Conference | International Conference on Advanced Environmental Science and Technology (AEST12) |
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Country/Territory | Korea, Republic of |
City | Seoul |
Period | 26/08/2012 → 30/08/2012 |