Towards Increased In Situ Treatment Efficacy

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Groundwater is an immensely important and conditionally renewable natural resource used as a supply for domestic, industrial and agricultural consumption, and it sustains a physical and chemical balance with the surface water system. Contamination caused by hazardous organic compounds due, in part, to their toxicity and persistence in the subsurface, poses an imminent health risk to both ecosystems and humans. For the near future, remediation of contaminated sites in Canada will require a significant funding. Existing in situ treatment technologies are limited, and methods to increase both effectiveness and efficiency are required. The long-term objective of my research program is to understand and develop innovative contaminated site remediation technologies that are critical for the redevelopment of brownfields, and to cleanup active industrial sites. The overall objective of this research program is to investigate novel methods to increase in situ treatment efficacy. Specifically, this proposal outlines fundamental and discovery-level research to: increase the availability of contaminants in the water phase that are currently present as an oil phase (e.g., creosote and coal tar); develop a novel treatment method using nanoparticles that will be able to degrade contaminants in regions where groundwater flow is minimal; and determine the engineering controls associated with an innovative approach to enhance mixing of treatment reagents and contaminants. The previous knowledge and experience gained from research activities performed by me and my students will act as a springboard for the proposed research. This program of discovery will include carefully designed laboratory and field investigations, and critical evaluation supported by computational simulations. The findings from this innovative research effort will advance the current state-of-practice. This proposed research program will contribute essential research, generate technological innovation, and train highly qualified students. The students will have direct interaction with consultants, vendors and other stakeholders (property owners) involved in contaminated site remediation issues. This exposure will allow the students to engage with the end-users of their research as they gain the appropriate skills to achieve their career aspirations in either academia or industry. Direct benefits to the Canadian economy will occur by fostering the development and improved understanding of in situ methods that can accelerate the redevelopment of brownfields and cleanup of active industrial sites in Canada.