Using slow-release permanganate candles to remove TCE from a low permeable aquifer at a former landfill

Mark D. Christenson; Ann Kambhu; Steve D. Comfort

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2012.06.009

Using slow-release permanganate candles to remove TCE from a low permeable aquifer at a former landfill

Mark D. Christenson, Ann Kambhu, Steve D. Comfort

School of Natural Resources

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

40 Scopus citations

Abstract

Past disposal of industrial solvents into unregulated landfills is a significant source of groundwater contamination. In 2009, we began investigating a former unregulated landfill with known trichloroethene (TCE) contamination. Our objective was to pinpoint the location of the plume and treat the TCE using in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO). We accomplished this by using electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) to survey the landfill and map the subsurface lithology. We then used the ERI survey maps to guide direct push groundwater sampling. A TCE plume (100-600μgL^-1) was identified in a low permeable silty-clay aquifer (K_h=0.5md^-1) that was within 6m of ground surface. To treat the TCE, we manufactured slow-release potassium permanganate candles (SRPCs) that were 91.4cm long and either 5.1cm or 7.6cm in dia. For comparison, we inserted equal masses of SRPCs (7.6-cm versus 5.1-cm dia) into the low permeable aquifer in staggered rows that intersected the TCE plume. The 5.1-cm dia candles were inserted using direct push rods while the 7.6-cm SRPCs were placed in 10 permanent wells. Pneumatic circulators that emitted small air bubbles were placed below the 7.6-cm SRPCs in the second year. Results 15months after installation showed significant TCE reductions in the 7.6-cm candle treatment zone (67-85%) and between 10% and 66% decrease in wells impacted by the direct push candles. These results support using slow-release permanganate candles as a means of treating chlorinated solvents in low permeable aquifers.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	680-687
Number of pages	8
Journal	Chemosphere
Volume	89
Issue number	6
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2012.06.009
State	Published - Oct 2012

Keywords

Chlorinated solvents
Permanganate
Slow-release oxidants
TCE

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Environmental Engineering
Environmental Chemistry
Chemistry(all)
Pollution
Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

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10.1016/j.chemosphere.2012.06.009

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@article{ed09fb0d7f3b4181bf6603c357cb2d5b,

title = "Using slow-release permanganate candles to remove TCE from a low permeable aquifer at a former landfill",

abstract = "Past disposal of industrial solvents into unregulated landfills is a significant source of groundwater contamination. In 2009, we began investigating a former unregulated landfill with known trichloroethene (TCE) contamination. Our objective was to pinpoint the location of the plume and treat the TCE using in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO). We accomplished this by using electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) to survey the landfill and map the subsurface lithology. We then used the ERI survey maps to guide direct push groundwater sampling. A TCE plume (100-600μgL-1) was identified in a low permeable silty-clay aquifer (Kh=0.5md-1) that was within 6m of ground surface. To treat the TCE, we manufactured slow-release potassium permanganate candles (SRPCs) that were 91.4cm long and either 5.1cm or 7.6cm in dia. For comparison, we inserted equal masses of SRPCs (7.6-cm versus 5.1-cm dia) into the low permeable aquifer in staggered rows that intersected the TCE plume. The 5.1-cm dia candles were inserted using direct push rods while the 7.6-cm SRPCs were placed in 10 permanent wells. Pneumatic circulators that emitted small air bubbles were placed below the 7.6-cm SRPCs in the second year. Results 15months after installation showed significant TCE reductions in the 7.6-cm candle treatment zone (67-85%) and between 10% and 66% decrease in wells impacted by the direct push candles. These results support using slow-release permanganate candles as a means of treating chlorinated solvents in low permeable aquifers.",

keywords = "Chlorinated solvents, Permanganate, Slow-release oxidants, TCE",

author = "Christenson, {Mark D.} and Ann Kambhu and Comfort, {Steve D.}",

note = "Funding Information: The authors greatly acknowledge the technical assistance of Matt Marxsen and the University of Nebraska Conservation and Survey Division for well installation and sampling. Appreciation is expressed to the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and the City of Cozad, NE for assisting with field site logistics. We also thank Dr. Todd Halihan and Aestus LLC, for their technical assistance with ERI measurements. Additionally, we thank Napatsawan Noiwong for her assistance with the GIS plume contouring. Funding was provided in part by EPA Region 7, Project ER-0635. Partial support was also provided the University of Nebraska School of Natural Resources and Water Science Laboratory. This paper is a contribution of Agricultural Research Division Projects NEB-38-071. ",

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AU - Christenson, Mark D.

AU - Kambhu, Ann

AU - Comfort, Steve D.

N1 - Funding Information: The authors greatly acknowledge the technical assistance of Matt Marxsen and the University of Nebraska Conservation and Survey Division for well installation and sampling. Appreciation is expressed to the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and the City of Cozad, NE for assisting with field site logistics. We also thank Dr. Todd Halihan and Aestus LLC, for their technical assistance with ERI measurements. Additionally, we thank Napatsawan Noiwong for her assistance with the GIS plume contouring. Funding was provided in part by EPA Region 7, Project ER-0635. Partial support was also provided the University of Nebraska School of Natural Resources and Water Science Laboratory. This paper is a contribution of Agricultural Research Division Projects NEB-38-071.

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N2 - Past disposal of industrial solvents into unregulated landfills is a significant source of groundwater contamination. In 2009, we began investigating a former unregulated landfill with known trichloroethene (TCE) contamination. Our objective was to pinpoint the location of the plume and treat the TCE using in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO). We accomplished this by using electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) to survey the landfill and map the subsurface lithology. We then used the ERI survey maps to guide direct push groundwater sampling. A TCE plume (100-600μgL-1) was identified in a low permeable silty-clay aquifer (Kh=0.5md-1) that was within 6m of ground surface. To treat the TCE, we manufactured slow-release potassium permanganate candles (SRPCs) that were 91.4cm long and either 5.1cm or 7.6cm in dia. For comparison, we inserted equal masses of SRPCs (7.6-cm versus 5.1-cm dia) into the low permeable aquifer in staggered rows that intersected the TCE plume. The 5.1-cm dia candles were inserted using direct push rods while the 7.6-cm SRPCs were placed in 10 permanent wells. Pneumatic circulators that emitted small air bubbles were placed below the 7.6-cm SRPCs in the second year. Results 15months after installation showed significant TCE reductions in the 7.6-cm candle treatment zone (67-85%) and between 10% and 66% decrease in wells impacted by the direct push candles. These results support using slow-release permanganate candles as a means of treating chlorinated solvents in low permeable aquifers.

AB - Past disposal of industrial solvents into unregulated landfills is a significant source of groundwater contamination. In 2009, we began investigating a former unregulated landfill with known trichloroethene (TCE) contamination. Our objective was to pinpoint the location of the plume and treat the TCE using in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO). We accomplished this by using electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) to survey the landfill and map the subsurface lithology. We then used the ERI survey maps to guide direct push groundwater sampling. A TCE plume (100-600μgL-1) was identified in a low permeable silty-clay aquifer (Kh=0.5md-1) that was within 6m of ground surface. To treat the TCE, we manufactured slow-release potassium permanganate candles (SRPCs) that were 91.4cm long and either 5.1cm or 7.6cm in dia. For comparison, we inserted equal masses of SRPCs (7.6-cm versus 5.1-cm dia) into the low permeable aquifer in staggered rows that intersected the TCE plume. The 5.1-cm dia candles were inserted using direct push rods while the 7.6-cm SRPCs were placed in 10 permanent wells. Pneumatic circulators that emitted small air bubbles were placed below the 7.6-cm SRPCs in the second year. Results 15months after installation showed significant TCE reductions in the 7.6-cm candle treatment zone (67-85%) and between 10% and 66% decrease in wells impacted by the direct push candles. These results support using slow-release permanganate candles as a means of treating chlorinated solvents in low permeable aquifers.

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KW - TCE

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ER -

Using slow-release permanganate candles to remove TCE from a low permeable aquifer at a former landfill

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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