Chemical Oxidation Treatment End-Points for Soil and Groundwater Remediation

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Contaminated lands (so-called brownfields) pose a threat to human and ecosystem health and are an impediment to urban intensification which harms local economies. In situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) has emerged as a technology with the potential for cost effective remediation of contaminated sites. Permanganate and peroxide are two aqueous oxidants which have been widely used and recently persulfate has gained popularity. The remediation community has significant experience with many aspects of ISCO; however, there remain significant areas for discovery and innovation. The overall objective of this research proposal is to determine remediation end-points for the ISCO treatment of subsurface systems where multicomponent non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) are present. While previous research has focused on the reactivity of dissolved phase organic compounds, the proposed research will address the degree to which multicomponent NAPLs can be degraded by chemical oxidants. Quantification of these end-points for various chemical oxidant systems and NAPL mixtures will provide key information on potential treatment effectiveness and the associated remedial system life cycle required to meet treatment goals. To satisfy this objective a variety of bench-scale and field experiments supported by appropriate data analyses and computational modelling will be executed. These experiments will be used to evaluate the rate and extent of degradation of gasoline range organics, diesel range organics and manufactured gas plant NAPLs by chemical oxidation. Novel methods will be used to improve treatment end-point for selected systems. The proposed effort will contribute essential research, generate technological innovation, and train highly qualified personnel. Direct benefits to the Canadian economy will occur by fostering the development and improved understanding of a technology that can accelerate the re-development of brownfield sites in Canada.