Towards Increased In Situ Treatment Efficacy

地下水是一种极其重要的、有条件可再生的自然资源，用于家庭、工业和农业消费，它与地表水系统维持着物理和化学平衡。有害有机化合物造成的污染，部分是由于它们在地下的毒性和持久性造成的，对生态系统和人类都构成迫在眉睫的健康威胁。在不久的将来，加拿大受污染场地的修复将需要大量资金。现有的就地处理技术是有限的，需要提高效果和效率的方法。我的研究计划的长期目标是了解和开发创新的污染场地修复技术，这些技术对棕地的重新开发和清理活跃的工业场地至关重要。这项研究计划的总体目标是探索提高原位治疗效果的新方法。具体地说，该提案概述了基础性和发现级研究，目的是：增加目前以油相形式存在的污染物在水相中的可用性；利用纳米颗粒开发一种新的处理方法，该方法将能够在地下水流量最小的地区降解污染物；以及确定与加强处理试剂和污染物混合的创新方法相关的工程控制措施。我和我的学生从研究活动中获得的以前的知识和经验将作为拟议研究的跳板。这一发现计划将包括精心设计的实验室和现场调查，以及由计算模拟支持的关键评估。这一创新研究的结果将推动当前的实践状态。这一拟议的研究计划将有助于基础研究，产生技术创新，并培养高素质的学生。学生将与顾问、供应商和其他涉及污染场地补救问题的利益相关者(物业所有者)进行直接互动。这种接触将使学生能够接触到他们研究的最终用户，因为他们获得了适当的技能，以实现他们在学术界或行业的职业抱负。通过促进原地方法的发展和提高对原地方法的理解，可以加速加拿大棕地的再开发和活跃的工业场地的清理，将给加拿大经济带来直接好处。

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.