Creation of a Subsurface Permeable Reactive Barrier Using In Situ Redox Manipulation
An In Situ Redox Manipulation (ISRM) method for creating a permeable reactive barrier in the subsurface has been developed and a field-scale demonstration has been conducted at a chromate-contaminated site on the U. S. Department of Energy's Hanford site in southeastern Washington State. The ISRM treatment zone is created by reducing the ferric iron [Fe(III)] phases naturally present in the aquifer sediments to ferrous iron phases [mainly adsorbed Fe(II)] with a chemical reducing agent using an injection/withdrawal (i.e., push/pull) emplacement strategy. Sodium dithionite (Na2S2O4) is injected into the aquifer, provided a residence time sufficient to react the sediment, and any remaining unreacted reagent and reaction products are withdrawn from the aquifer. Standard groundwater wells are used, allowing treatment of contaminants too deep below the ground surface for conventional trench-and-fill technologies. Once in place, redox-sensitive contaminants migrating through this manipulated zone are destroyed (organic solvents) or immobilized (metals). In the spring of 1997, an ISRM treatability test was initiated at a chromate-contaminated site located within Hanford's 100-D Area. Analysis of groundwater samples collected from the reduced zone following emplacement of the barrier indicate that concentrations of hexavalent chromium in groundwater have decreased from a pre-emplacement concentration of approximately 1,000 ?g/L to below analytical detection limits (<8 ?g/L). Hexavalent chromium concentrations have also significantly decreased below baseline values in downgradient monitoring wells. Laboratory analysis of iron in the soil indicates the barrier should remain in place for approximately 23 years. If additional reductive capacity is needed, the barrier can be regenerated at a reduced cost using the original injection well network.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 902073
- Report Number(s):
- PNNL-SA-35122; 830403000; TRN: US200716%%618
- Resource Relation:
- Related Information: Handbook of Groundwater Remediation using Permeable Reactive Barriers: Applications to Radionuclides, Trace Metals, and Nutrients, 163-192
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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