Use of polymer mats in series for sequential reactive barrier remediation of ammonium-contaminated groundwater: field evaluation

Environ Sci Technol. 2004 Dec 15;38(24):6846-54. doi: 10.1021/es0497781.

Abstract

A pilot-scale field trial was undertaken to evaluate the potential of in situ polymer mats (installed in series) as permeable reactive barriers within a treatment wall remediation system to induce sequential bioremediation of ammonium-contaminated groundwater. The treatment wall consisted of 10 m wide impermeable wings on either side of a 0.75 m wide permeable reactive zone flow-through box. Two polymer mats were positioned in the flow-through box. The upgradient polymer mat within the flow-through box was used to deliver oxygen to induce bacterial nitrification of the ammonium to nitrite/nitrate as the groundwater moved past. The downgradient polymer mat delivered ethanol to induce bacterial denitrification of the nitrite/nitrate to produce nitrogen gas. The field trial was carried out at a near-shore location. Initially the flow-through box was left open; however, this resulted in substantial groundwater mixing, which inhibited sequential remediation. Once the flow-through box was in-filled with gravel, groundwater mixing was reduced, achieving a greater than 90% reduction in total N. Estimated first-order half-lives for nitrification and denitrification rates were 1.2 and 0.4 d, respectively. Field nitrification half-lives were approximately an order of magnitude greater than rates determined in large-scale columns using soil and groundwater from the site, while denitrification half-lives were similar. The results of this pilot-scale field trial indicate that sequential bioremediation of ammonium-contaminated groundwater at field scale is feasible using in situ polymer mats as permeable reactive barriers, although hydraulic conditions can be complex in such barrier systems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biodegradation, Environmental
  • Polymers*
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / isolation & purification*
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / metabolism*
  • Soil Microbiology
  • Soil Pollutants / isolation & purification*
  • Soil Pollutants / metabolism*
  • Water Movements
  • Water Pollutants / isolation & purification*
  • Water Pollutants / metabolism*

Substances

  • Polymers
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
  • Soil Pollutants
  • Water Pollutants