Project 5: Remediation of Contaminated Groundwater by Solar-Powered Electrolysis

项目摘要 研究目标：我们的长期目标是开发新颖，可持续，太阳能和环保- 对受污染的地下水进行补救的无害技术，特别是在岩溶地区。我们将使用 太阳能电池板通过威尔斯井中的电极施加低直流电流，以控制地下水 电解化学我们的目标污染物是氯化溶剂，特别是三氯乙烯 (TCE)，但该过程也将被设计为处理污染物的混合物。两个具体的变换 机制进行了评估：电化学还原和化学氧化。之前我们展示了 化学还原地下水可以通过铁阳极开发，导致几乎完全 TCE水溶液的脱氯。我们还评价了地下水中三氯乙烯的化学氧化， 生成H2和O2。我们在这项竞争性续约研究中的目标是了解和改善 在可变流量下使用创新电极系统转化污染物混合物的方法 率，评估转化途径及其对地下水毒性的相关影响， 现场规模测试中的工艺性能。 研究方法：我们将进行实验室实验，在垂直柱设置由丙烯酸和 石灰石和电化学反应器中。我们将使用反应器来测试创新的三电极治疗 单位诱导还原或氧化条件和研究一种新的双电极系统的极性 反转以实现氧化条件。我们将测量降解和转化产物，以及 在间歇电化学装置中的过程期间的毒性演变。除了一个普通的 使用表型体外试验，一种创新的新开发的快速和机械毒理学为基础的 将采用时间基因或蛋白质表达谱分析技术。毒性水平的变化， 在电化学诱导降解过程中的机理曲线将揭示潜在的 致病因子及其与降解途径的联系。在这些实验室测试中， 来自波多黎各的样品将与目标污染物混合并用于检测。为了便于翻译， 在现场实施过程中，我们将进行小规模的现场测试并测量性能 使用单个井或多个威尔斯井。威尔斯井中的处理装置将连接到太阳能电池板/控制器 并将测试不同的操作模式。观察威尔斯将用于监测变化。 预期成果：我们将开发可持续修复受污染地下水的技术。 我们将设计具有创新电极系统的电化学反应器，用于污染物降解， 证明在治疗期间和治疗后毒性降低或消除。最后，我们将设计和测量 在喀斯特地区含水层的小规模实地研究中，该技术在威尔斯井中的性能。

PROJECT SUMMARY Study Objectives: Our long-term goal is to develop novel, sustainable, solar-powered and environmentally- friendly technologies for remediation of contaminated groundwater, especially in karst regions. We will use solar panels to apply low direct electric currents through electrodes in wells to manipulate groundwater chemistry by electrolysis. Our target contaminants are chlorinated solvents, specifically trichloroethylene (TCE), but the process will also be designed to treat a mixture of contaminants. Two specific transformation mechanisms are evaluated: electrochemical reduction and chemical oxidation. Previously we demonstrated that chemically reducing groundwater could be developed by iron anodes, leading to almost complete dechlorination of aqueous TCE. We also evaluated chemical oxidation of TCE in groundwater by electro- generated H2 and O2. Our objectives in this competitive renewal study are to understand and improve the process using innovative electrode systems for transformation of mixtures of contaminants under variable flow rates, assess the transformation pathways and their associated effects on groundwater toxicity, and measure the performance of the process in field-scale testing. Study Approach: We will conduct laboratory experiments in vertical column setups made of acrylic and limestone and in electrochemical reactors. We will use the reactors to test innovative three-electrode treatment units to induce reducing or oxidizing conditions and investigate a novel two electrode system with polarity reversal to achieve oxidizing conditions. We will measure degradation and transformation products, as well as toxicity evolution, during the course of the process in batch electrochemical setups. In addition to a commonly used phenotypic in vitro assay, an innovative newly-developed fast and mechanistic toxicogenomics-based temporal gene or protein expression profiling technique will be employed. The variations of toxicity levels and mechanistic profiles during the course of the electrochemically-induced degradation will disclose the potential causal agents and their links to the degradation pathways. For these laboratory tests, groundwater collected from Puerto Rico will be mixed with target contaminants and used for testing. To facilitate translation of the process into field implementation, we will conduct and measure the performance in a small field-scale test using a single well or multiple wells. Treatment units in the wells will be connected to solar panels/controllers and different operation modes will be tested. Observation wells will be used to monitor changes. Expected Results: We will develop a technology for sustainable remediation of contaminated groundwater. We will design electrochemical reactors with innovative electrode systems for contaminant degradation and prove the reduction or elimination of toxicity during and after the treatment. Finally, we will design and measure the performance of the technology in wells in a small-scale field study in aquifers in karst regions.