Enhanced Chlorinated Solvent Degradation by Nanoparticles of Zero Valent Iron Emplaced in Granular Activated Carbon

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Chlorinated solvent compounds such as tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene are toxic and potentially carcinogenic and are encountered in sites contaminated by industrial activity. The industrial partner, Sanexen, is actively engaged in remediation and management of chlorinated solvent-contaminated groundwater of several sites in Canada and is seeking improved cost-effectiveness of their operations at those sites which involve removal of chlorinated solvents using activated carbon. Chlorinated compounds can be effectively removed by sorption into activated carbon during groundwater remediation. However, activated carbon has a fixed sorption capacity and requires replacement and regeneration of the spent activated carbon. If chlorinated compounds sorbed into the activated carbon can be simultaneously and rapidly degraded, the need for regeneration of activated carbon would be significantly reduced leading to substantial cost savings and efficiency in the remediation process for Sanexen. The research will investigate if embedding zero valent iron nanoparticles into the activated carbon can achieve this. The nano iron-activated carbon composites will be tested for its efficiency of degradation of chlorinated solvent compounds in soil and groundwater samples from Sanexen's sites. The research will directly enrich Sanexen's knowledge and expertise in remediation of contaminated sites, and if the research results are promising will to the development of cost effective methods for improvement of soil and water quality in Canadian sites where industrial activity in the past has led to environmental degradation.