A novel permeable reactive biobarrier for ortho-nitrochlorobenzene pollution control in groundwater: Experimental evaluation and kinetic modelling

Cuicui Liu; Xiaohui Chen; Steven A Banwart; Wenchao Du; Ying Yin; Hongyan Guo

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126563

A novel permeable reactive biobarrier for ortho-nitrochlorobenzene pollution control in groundwater: Experimental evaluation and kinetic modelling

J Hazard Mater. 2021 Oct 15:420:126563. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126563. Epub 2021 Jul 3.

Authors

Cuicui Liu¹, Xiaohui Chen², Steven A Banwart³, Wenchao Du⁴, Ying Yin⁵, Hongyan Guo⁶

Affiliations

¹ State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; School of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
² School of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
³ School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK; Global Food and Environment Institute, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
⁴ School of the Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China.
⁵ State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.
⁶ State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; Joint International Research Centre for Critical Zone Science-University of Leeds and Nanjing University, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China. Electronic address: hyguo@nju.edu.cn.

PMID: 34271441
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126563

Abstract

Three novel permeable reactive barrier (PRB) materials composed of Cu/Fe with 0.24% and 0.43% (w/w) Cu loadings or Fe⁰ supported on wheat straw were prepared (termed materials E, F and G). These materials exhibited excellent pollutant removal efficiency and physical stability as well as the ongoing release of organic carbon and iron. Column experiments showed that materials E, F and G removed almost 100% of ortho-nitrochlorobenzene (o-NCB) from water. The rates of iron release from the E and F columns exceeded those from column G but this had no significant effect on o-NCB removal. The bacteria that degraded o-NCB in E and F were also different from those in G. The levels of these bacteria in the columns were higher than those in the initial materials, with the highest level in column E. The simultaneous reduction and microbial degradation of o-NCB was observed, with the latter being dominant. A kinetic model was established to simulate the dynamic interactions and accurately predicted the experimental results. Organic carbon from the wheat straw supported the majority of the biomass in each column, which was essential for the bioremediation process. The findings of this study suggest an economically viable approach to mitigating o-NCB pollution.

Keywords: Biodegradation; Kinetics; PHREEQC; Reduction; o-NCB.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Biodegradation, Environmental
Groundwater*
Iron
Kinetics
Organic Chemicals
Water Pollutants, Chemical*

Substances

Organic Chemicals
Water Pollutants, Chemical
Iron