This report describes the application of palladized iron (Pd/Fe) to the dechlorination of polychlorinted biphenyls (PCBs) at ambient temperature. Experiments supported by congener-specific analyses demonstrated that dechlorination occurs in a step-wise fashion with the meta-chlorines being more reactive than ortho-chlorines. Over the course of the laboratory experiments, complete conversion to biphenyl was observed. The process was also tested with PCBs dissolved in high (40-60%) concentrations of ethanol and isopropanol as a means of simulating solutions generated by commercial soil and solid waste extraction processes. The reaction rate was sensitive to the percentage of solvent but complete dechlorination was still indicated. Tests with soil extracts from a contaminated site demonstrated that there were no apparent interferences from asphalt and other miscellaneous debris. Short-duration tests with highly contaminated PCB solutions from a hazardous waste site demonstrated efficient dechlorination although there was a reduction in reaction rate with time.

Palladized iron (Pd/Fe) has been tested under field conditions for the dechlorination of trichloroethene (TCE) in groundwater. Contaminated water was pumped from aquifers in Ohio (similar to0.7- 1.5 mg/l TCE) and Missouri (2-9 mg/l TCE and 1,2-dichloroethene) and passed through columns of Pd/Fe. The experiments demonstrated that the dechlorination reaction occurs efficiently until the surface of the Pd/Fe becomes fouled. Regeneration of the surface with dilute (1M) hydrochloric acid is easily accomplished under laboratory conditions, but initially was unsuccessful in the field. Further experiments indicated, that reduced sulfur species, although not naturally present in the groundwater being treated, were permanently poisoning the palladium. Apparently, sulfur-reducing bacteria utilize the hydrogen produced by the Pd/Fe process and reduce the sulfate that is present. An anion exchange column was used to remove sulfate (similar to 20 mg/l) from groundwater at the Kansas City Plant in order to test this theory. Under these conditions, a column of Pd/Fe was repetitively regenerated for a 4-week period. A second column, not protected by sulfate removal, could not be regenerated. The results demonstrated that Pd/Fe could be used in a long-term field process if a material with more resistance to Fe and Pd losses is developed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

This project examined the hypothesis that selenium contamination is not the principal cause of the decline of endemic fish species in the Upper Colorado Basin. Activities employed to test this hypothesis included a reconnaissance of locations altered by recent road construction, a re-interpretation of available literature regarding selenium toxicity, and the interpretation of unpublished data obtained from the Upper Colorado Basin Fish Recovery Program. The project demonstrates that most of the evidence implicating selenium is circumstantial.

The dehalogenation of chlorinated solvents by zero-valence iron has recently become the subject of intensive research and development as a potentially cost-effective, passive treatment for contaminated groundwater through reactive barriers. Because of its successful application in the laboratory and other field sites, the X-625 Groundwater Treatment Facility (GTF) was constructed to evaluate reactive barrier technology for remediating trichloroethylene (TCE)-contaminated groundwater at the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PORTS). The X-625 GTF was built to fulfill the following technical objectives: (1) to test reactive barrier materials (e.g., iron filings) under realistic groundwater conditions for long term applications, (2) to obtain rates at which TCE degrades and to determine by-products for the reactive barrier materials tested, and (3) to clean up the TCE-contaminated water in the X-120 plume. The X-625 is providing important field-scale and long-term for the evaluation and design of reactive barriers at PORTS. The X-625 GTS is a unique facility not only because it is where site remediation is being performed, but it is also where research scientists and process engineers can test other promising reactive barrier materials. In addition, the data collected from X-625 GTF can be used to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of replacing the activated carbon units in the pump-and-treat facilities at PORTS.

The overall goal of this portion of the project was to package one or more unit processes, as modular components in vertical and/or horizontal recirculation wells, for treatment of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) [e.g., trichloroethene (TCE)] and radionuclides [e.g., technetium (Tc){sup 99}] in groundwater. The project was conceived, in part, because the coexistence of chlorinated hydrocarbons and radionuclides has been identified as the predominant combination of groundwater contamination in the US Department of Energy (DOE) complex. Thus, a major component of the project was the development of modules that provide simultaneous treatment of hydrocarbons and radionuclides. The project objectives included: (1) evaluation of horizontal wells for inducing groundwater recirculation, (2) development of below-ground treatment modules for simultaneous removal of VOCs and radionuclides, and (3) demonstration of a coupled system (treatment module with recirculation well) at a DOE field site where both VOCs and radionuclides are present in the groundwater. This report is limited to the innovative treatment aspects of the program. A report on pilot testing of the horizontal recirculation system was the first report of the series (Muck et al. 1996). A comprehensive report that focuses on the engineering, cost and hydrodynamic aspects of the project has also been prepared (Korte et al. 1997a).

An investigation of elevated concentration of nickel and chromium in certain ground water samples collected at William Air Force Base (AFB) indicated that type 304 stainless steel well materials are the source. Chloride in the ground water has apparently caused crevice corrosion of the stainless steel well screens installed during site characterization. An evaluation of site geochemistry suggested that chromium released from the well screen would precipitate, while nickel would remain dissolved. Thus, low-flow purging and sampling significantly reduces the chromium found in the ground water samples because such sampling minimizes the collection of artificially entrained particulates. In contrast to chromium, nickel concentrations did not decrease during low-flow purging and sampling, indicating that it is dissolved. Nickel and chromium concentrations are both low following high-volume purging when turbidity levels are stabilized below 10 nephelometric turbidity units prior to sampling. In the latter case, chromium concentration is low because particulate collection is minimized, and nickel concentration is low because of increased dilution. Based on these results, it is recommended that elevated levels of nickel and chromium in ground water samples collected from stainless steel monitoring wells be carefully evaluated, because well materials may be the source. In addition, although low-volume purging is increasingly becoming the sampling method of choice, high-volume purging may be a useful means of determining whether the well materials influence nickel and chromium concentrations.

An emerging approach to in situ treatment of organic contaminants is chemical degradation. The specific processes discussed in this chapter are in situ chemical oxidation using either hydrogen peroxide (H{sub 2}O{sub 2}) or potassium permanganate (KMnO{sub 4}) and in situ dechlorination of halogenated hydrocarbons using zero-valence base metals such as iron. These technologies are primarily chemical treatment processes, where the treatment goal is to manipulate the chemistry of the subsurface environment in such a manner that the contaminants of interest are destroyed and/or rendered non-toxic. Chemical properties that can be altered include pH, ionic strength, oxidation and reduction potential, and chemical equilibria. In situ contaminant destruction processes alter or destroy contaminants in place and are typically applied to compounds that can be either converted to innocuous species such as CO{sub 2} and water, or can be degraded to species that are non-toxic or amenable to other in situ processes (i.e., bioremediation). With in situ chemical oxidation, the delivery and distribution of chemical reagents are critical to process effectiveness. In contrast, published approaches for the use of zero valence base metals suggest passive approaches in which the metals are used in a permeable reaction wall installed in situ in the saturated zone. Both types of processes are receiving increasing attention and are being applied both in technology demonstration and as final solutions to subsurface contaminant problems. 43 refs., 9 figs., 1 tab.

The overall purpose of this project is to study in situ treatment of mixed contaminants in groundwater using horizontal recirculation wells coupled with in situ treatment modules. The mixed contaminants are volatile organic compounds, such as trichloroethene, and radionuclides, such as technetium. The project involves several research elements, including treatment-process evaluation, hydrodynamic flow and transport modeling, pilot testing at an uncontaminated site, and full-scale demonstration at a contaminated site. The pilot test is ongoing. Two horizontal wells were installed in October 1994 at an uncontaminated U. S. Department of Energy site to test the recirculation concept.

This document is a review of the existing technical literature regarding the physical and biological properties of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and their interaction with the environment. It is intended to be used when evaluating PCB-contaminated soil and the effects of specific environmental conditions on PCB degradation. PCBs are a class of chlorinated aromatic compounds with 209 possible structural arrangements. The composition of PCBs in the environment changes over time due to various physiochemical and biological properties and processes: vapor pressure, solubility, octanol-water partitioning, adsorption, and biodegradation. As the number of chlorine atoms increases, both vapor pressure and water solubility decrease, while adsorption and the octanol-water partitioning coefficient increase. Dechlorination of PCBs occurs primarily through aerobic and anaerobic microbial degradation. Aerobic bacteria preferentially dechlorinate less-chlorinated PCBs, while anaerobic bacteria preferentially dechlorinate more highly chlorinated PCBs. The less-chlorinated PCB congeners are less persistent in the environment due to volatilization, solubility, and aerobic biodegradation, while the more-chlorinated PCBs are more persistent in the environment due to adsorption. The composition of an original PCB mixture in the environment can be expected to change due to a combination of processes described above. Any attempt to determine the source of PCBs or Aroclors identified in an environment sample must be approached with caution to avoid inaccurate conclusions.

This document describes the screening and preliminary evaluation of candidate treatment for use in treating mixed contaminants volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and radionuclides in groundwater. Treating mixed contaminants presents unusual difficulties. Typically, VOCs are the most abundant contaminants, but the presence of radionuclides results in additional health concerns that must be addressed, usually by a treatment approach different from that used for VOCs. Furthermore, the presence of radionuclides may yield mixed solid wastes if the VOCs are treated by conventional means. These issues were specifically addressed in the evaluation of candidate treatment processes for testing in this program. Moreover, because no research or early development of a particular process would be performed, the technology review also focused on technologies that could be readily adapted and integrated for use with mixed contaminants. The objective is to couple emerging or available processes into treatment modules for use in situ. The three year project, to be completed in September 1996, includes a full-scale field demonstration. The findings reported in this document encompass all activities through the treatment process evaluations.

Soil column studies were used to evaluate petroleum hydrocarbon (PHC) remediation in soils from Kwajalein Atoll. Treatments included controls, and combinations of water, air, nutrients, and bioaugmentation with indigenous microbes (W, A, N, and M, respectively). Microbial colony forming units (CFU) decreased in the control columns and in treatments without air. Treatments including W + A + N and W + A + N + M exhibited increased CFU. One third of the PHC was removed by water and another third was removed by W + A + N and W + A + N + M treatments. Bioaugmentation with indigenous PHC degraders did not enhance bioremediation. Potential for bioremediation was demonstrated by air, water, and nutrient amendments.

Data validation, as prescribed in guidance documents provided by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), yields legal evidence that an analytical laboratory has performed analyses according to predetermined specifications. This validation process, because it involves only the checking of procedural documentation, provides minimal information concerning the technical validity of the data. Unfortunately, in the minds of many, the performance of such a data validation has become synonymous with technical validity. A better approach is to implement a routine program of referee analyses. That is, submit a predetermined number of samples from the project to a second laboratory. A routine program of this type provides a self-checking and self-correcting mechanism for determining whether data are technically valid.

Certain manufacturing facilities formerly used large quantities of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) fluids in heat transfer operations. At many of these locations, operations have also involved PCB-containing electrical equipment. Commonly, over many years of plant operations, spills and leaks have resulted in PCB soil contamination. Dioxins and furans have been associated with PCB contamination in both the technical and popular press. Consequently, the need for analyses for dioxins and furans must be evaluated at locations where soils are contaminated with PCBs. This report presents an evaluation of potential dioxin and furan soil contamination based on heat transfer operations and spills from electrical equipment. The following five scenarios were examined for dioxin and furan contamination: (1) impurities in heat transfer fluids, (2) formation during heat transfer operations, (3) pyrolysis of heat transfer fluids, (4) impurities in dielectric fluids, and (5) pyrolysis of dielectric fluids. The potential contamination with dioxins and furans was calculated and compared with a 20 ppb guideline that has been used by the Centers for Disease Control for dioxin in subsoil. The results demonstrated that dioxins are formed only under pyrolytic conditions and only from the trichlorobenzenes present in dielectric fluids. Furans are found as impurities in PCB fluids but, as with dioxins, are not formed in significant quantities except during pyrolysis. Fortunately, pyrolytic conditions involving PCB fluids and soil contamination are unlikely; therefore, analyses for dioxin and furan contamination in soils will rarely be needed.

This report describes an investigation concerning the presence of arsenic in concentrations exceeding 0.4 mg/L in the groundwater under the Department of Energy's Kansas City Plant (KCP). The study consisted of four distinct phases: a thorough review of the technical literature, a historical survey of arsenic use at the facility, a laboratory study of existing techniques for determining arsenic speciation, and a field program including water, soil, and sediment sampling. The historical survey and literature review demonstrated that plant activities had not released significant quantities of arsenic to the environment but that similar occurrences of arsenic in alluvial groundwater are widespread in the midwestern United States. Laboratory studies showed that a chromatographic separation technique was necessary to accurately determine arsenic speciation for the KCP groundwater samples. Field studies revealed that naturally occurring reducing conditions prevalent in the subsurface are responsible for dissolving arsenic previously sorbed by iron oxides. Indeed, the data demonstrated that the bulk arsenic concentration of site subsoils and sediments is {approximately}7 mg/kg, whereas the arsenic content of iron oxide subsamples is as high as 84 mg/kg. Literature showed that similar concentrations of arsenic in sediments occur naturally and are capable of producing the levels of arsenic found in groundwater monitoring wells at the KCP. The study concludes, therefore, that the arsenic present in the KCP groundwater is the result of natural phenomena. 44 refs., 8 figs., 14 tabs.

ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUEPREVArticleNEXTEvaluation of particulate trace species in southwest desert atmosphereJ. L. Moyers, L. E. Ranweiler, S. B. Hopf, and N. E. KorteCite this: Environ. Sci. Technol. 1977, 11, 8, 789–795Publication Date (Print):August 1, 1977Publication History Published online1 May 2002Published inissue 1 August 1977https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/es60131a002https://doi.org/10.1021/es60131a002research-articleACS PublicationsRequest reuse permissionsArticle Views75Altmetric-Citations58LEARN ABOUT THESE METRICSArticle Views are the COUNTER-compliant sum of full text article downloads since November 2008 (both PDF and HTML) across all institutions and individuals. These metrics are regularly updated to reflect usage leading up to the last few days.Citations are the number of other articles citing this article, calculated by Crossref and updated daily. Find more information about Crossref citation counts.The Altmetric Attention Score is a quantitative measure of the attention that a research article has received online. Clicking on the donut icon will load a page at altmetric.com with additional details about the score and the social media presence for the given article. Find more information on the Altmetric Attention Score and how the score is calculated. Share Add toView InAdd Full Text with ReferenceAdd Description ExportRISCitationCitation and abstractCitation and referencesMore Options Share onFacebookTwitterWechatLinked InRedditEmail Other access optionsGet e-Alertsclose Get e-Alerts