Field‐scale evaluation of a biobarrier for the treatment of a trichloroethene plume

In the 1960s, trichloroethene (TCE) was used at what is now designated as Installation Restoration Program Site 32 Cluster at Vandenberg Air Force Base to flush missile engines prior to launch and perhaps for other degreasing activities, resulting in releases of TCE to groundwater. The TCE plume extends approximately 1 kilometer from the previous launch facilities beyond the southwestern end of the site. To limit further migration of TCE and chlorinated degradation by‐products, an in situ, permeable, reactive bioremediation barrier (biobarrier) was designed as a cost‐effective treatment technology to address the TCE plume emanating from the source area. The biobarrier treatment would involve injecting carbon‐based substrate and microbes to achieve reductive dechlorination of volatile organic compounds, such as TCE. Under reducing conditions and in the presence of certain dechlorinating microorganisms, TCE degrades to nontoxic ethene in groundwater. To support the design of the full‐scale biobarrier, a pilot test was conducted to evaluate site conditions and collect pertinent design data. The pilot test results indicated possible substrate delivery difficulties and a smaller radius of influence than had been estimated, which would be used to determine the final biobarrier well spacing. Based on these results, the full‐scale biobarrier design was modified. In January 2010, the biobarrier was implemented at the toe of the source area by adding a fermentable substrate and a dechlorinating microbial culture to the subsurface via an injection well array that spanned the width of the TCE plume. After the injections, the groundwater pH in the injection wells continued to decrease to a level that could be detrimental to the population of Dehalococcoides in the SDC‐9^TM culture. In addition, 7 months postinjection, the injection wells could not be sampled due to fouling. Cleaning was required to restore their functions. Bioassay and polymerase chain reaction analyses were conducted, as well as titration tests, to assess the need for biobarrier amendments in response to the fouling issues and low pH. Additionally, slug tests were performed on three wells to evaluate possible localized differences in hydraulic conductivity within the biobarrier. Based on the test results, the biobarrier was amended with sodium carbonate and inoculated a second time with SDC‐9^TM. The aquifer pH was restored, and reductive dechlorination resumed in the treatment zone, evidenced by the reduction in TCE and the increase in degradation products, including ethene. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Successful full‐scale enhanced anaerobic dechlorination at a NAPL strength 1,1,1‐TCA source area

Bioremediation of 1,1,1‐trichloroethane (TCA) is more challenging than bioremediation of other chlorinated solvents, such as tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichloroethene (TCE). TCA transformation often occurs under methanogenic and sulfate‐reducing conditions and is mediated by Dehalobacter. The source area at the project site contains moderately permeable medium sand with a low hydraulic gradient and is approximately 0.5 acre. TCA contamination generally extended to 35 feet, with the highest concentrations at approximately 20 feet. The concentrations then decreased with depth; several wells contained 300 to 600 mg/L of TCA prior to bioremediation. The area of treatment also contained 2 to 30 mg/L of TCE from an upgradient source. Initial site groundwater conditions indicated minimal biotic dechlorination and the presence of up to 20 mg/L of nitrate and 90 mg/L of sulfate. Microcosm testing indicated that TCA dechlorination was inhibited by the site's relatively low pH (5 to 5.5) and high TCA concentration. After the pH was adjusted and TCA concentrations were reduced to less than 35 mg/L (by dilution with site water), dechlorination proceeded rapidly using whey (or slower with sodium lactate) as an electron donor. Throughout the remediation program, increased resistance to TCA inhibition (from 35 to 200 mg/L) was observed as the microbes adapted to the elevated TCA concentrations. The article presents the results of a full‐scale enhanced anaerobic dechlorination recirculation system and the successful efforts to eliminate TCA‐ and pH‐related inhibition. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

AEB反应器反硝化处理高浓度硝酸盐废水

采用缺氧膨胀床(AEB)反应器处理高浓度硝酸盐废水,研究了反应器的快速启动和挂膜特性,以及在反硝化连续流运行条件下对废水的处理效果。实验结果表明:采用自然挂膜方式,填料层从下至上生物膜厚度逐渐增加;AEB的快速启动8 d可完成,COD去除率由44.9%升至92.3%,NO_3~--N去除率由39.8%升至98.4%;稳定运行阶段(进水COD 4 628～5 548 mg/L、ρ(NO_3~--N) 1 339～1 505 mg/L),COD去除率稳定在95%左右,NO_3~--N去除率稳定在98%～99%,COD和NO_3~--N的容积负荷去除量最高可达27.8 kg/(m~3·d)和7.3 kg/(m~3·d)。     

Full‐scale in‐situ biobarrier demonstration for containment and treatment of MTBE

The Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center (NFESC), Arizona State University, and Equilon Enterprises LLC are partners in an innovative Environmental Security Technology Certification Program cleanup technology demonstration designed to contain dissolved MTBE groundwater plumes. This full‐scale demonstration is being performed to test the use of an oxygenated biobarrier at Naval Base Ventura County, in Port Hueneme, California. Surprisingly, few cost‐effective in‐situ remedies are known for the cleanup of MTBE‐impacted aquifers, and remediation by engineered in‐situ biodegradation was thought to be an unlikely candidate just a few years ago. This project demonstrates that MTBE‐impacted groundwater can be remediated in‐situ through engineered aerobic biodegradation under natural‐flow conditions. With respect to economics, the installation and operation costs associated with this innovative biobarrier system are at least 50 percent lower than those of a conventional pump and treat system. Furthermore, although it has been suggested that aerobic MTBE biodegradation will not occur in mixed MTBE‐BTEX dissolved plumes, this project demonstrates otherwise. The biobarrier system discussed in this article is the largest of its kind ever implemented, spanning a dissolved MTBE plume that is over 500 feet wide. This biobarrier system has achieved an in‐situ treatment efficiency of greater than 99.9 percent for dissolved MTBE and BTEX concentrations. Perhaps of greater importance is the fact that extensive performance data has been collected, which is being used to generate best‐practice design and cost information for this biobarrier technology. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Construction of a permeable reactive barrier in a residential neighborhood

In June 2001, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) installed a permeable reactive barrier (PRB) within a roadway in Needham, Massachusetts, to treat a plume of chlorinated solvents migrating toward two public water‐supply wells located in the adjacent town of Wellesley, Massachusetts. The solvents originated from an electronics manufacturer located approximately 2,300 feet upgradient of the roadway and 5,200 feet upgradient of the public supply wells. Chlorinated solvents, primarily trichloroethene (TCE), had migrated past the roadway to within 300 feet of the public supply wells. Two contaminant transport models prepared by the DEP's design contractor and the EPA indicated that the plume would reach the well field if no response actions were taken. To mitigate the future impact to the municipal well field, the DEP decided to install a PRB composed of zero‐valent granular iron across the path of the plume along Central Avenue in Needham. Though several dozen PRBs have been installed at sites worldwide and the technology is no longer considered innovative, the application of the technology in a roadway that receives 17,000 vehicles per day within a residential neighborhood is unique and presented difficulties not typically associated with PRB installations. The Needham PRB was also one of the first zero‐valent iron PRBs installed using the slurry trench method to treat chlorinated compounds. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

高氨氮化工废水MBBR—AMBBR—MBBR组合工艺处理

采用移动床生物膜反应器（MBBR）—厌氧移动床生物膜反应器（AMBBR）—MBBR组合工艺处理高氨氮化工废水。反应器采用几何构型优化、比表面积大的新型YD-25生物载体和DNF-203硝化细菌,实现了同步硝化和反硝化,强化了脱氮能力。采用投加菌种和排泥的方式,经27 d的驯化培养即完成了反应器的挂膜启动。试验结果表明：最佳操作条件为HRT 8 d、MBBR中DO 3 mg/L、进水pH 8.0;在进水COD 2 840~7 437 mg/L、ρ（氨氮）92~179 mg/L、TN 148~258 mg/L、pH 6~8的条件下,出水指标均值为COD 352 mg/L、ρ（氨氮）21.2 mg/L、TN 36 mg/L、pH 7.4,满足排放要求。     

Pilot Scale Demonstration of the Electrochemical Peroxidation Process at a Petroleum Spill Site

In a pilot test experiment involving approximately 200,000 gallons of groundwater, Electrochemical Peroxidation (ECP) was used to degrade aqueous phase volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) compounds and methyl tertbutyl ether (MTBE) from a petroleum spill. ECP involves a form of the Fenton's Reagent reaction, which uses electrochemically generated iron and dilute hydrogen peroxide (<30 mg/L) to break down organic molecules through oxidation to carbon dioxide and water. This article discusses a pilot scale demonstration of the ECP technology and its application to aqueous phase organic contaminants. The remedial approach used at the pilot test site involves three phases: (1) ex‐situ chemical oxidation, (2) in‐situ oxidation by reinjection of treated effluent near the plume origin, and (3) reestablishment of aerobic biodegradation as the residual hydrogen peroxide discharged to a series of upgradient wells degrades to oxygen. Analytical results of the pilot demonstration indicate that the ex‐situ chemical oxidation reduced total BTEX concentrations in groundwater from over 1,000 ppb to undetectable concentrations (<1 ppb). © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Bioprocess technology for coal washery effluent treatment by Lemna minor

Duckweed species are promising macrophytes that can be used in wastewater treatment due to their rapid growth, ease of harvest, low fiber feed potential, and high protein contents. Waste‐water contaminants that are likely to be generated during washing of coal are total suspended solids (TSS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), acidity or alkalinity (pH), and metallic contaminants. Bioprocesses were developed to evaluate the potential of duckweed (Lemna minor) to treat coal washery effluent (CWE) as well as to study the impact on the biochemical changes of the Lemna minor. CWE samples were diluted with distilled water (DW) in different ratios as follows: T1‐CWE:DW(20:80%), T2‐CWE:DW(40:60%), T3‐CWE:DW(60:40%), T4‐CWE:DW (80:20%), T5‐CWE (100%), and Control‐DW(100%). The electrical conductivity of the effluent treated with Lemna minor was 0.035 deciSiemens per meter (dS/m) in the control at Day 10 and substantially higher at treatment ratios of 100, 80, and 60 percent (1.754, 1.842, and 1.631 dS/m). The highest amount of TSS was observed at test ratio T5 (38,834 mg/L), followed by T4 (28,816 mg/L), T3 (26,970 mg/L), T2 (15,320 mg/L), T1 (4,524 mg/L), and control (424 mg/L). Total hardness was higher (820 mg/L) in T4 compared to the control (220 mg/L). Total hardness of the effluent decreased after 30 days of incubation in all the treatment aliquots. The CWE at 20 percent concentration increased the duckweed population and no adverse impacts on its growth were observed. At higher concentration (T5) total mortality of Lemna minor was observed. The chlorophyll production was determined to be inversely proportional to the effluent concentration. Based on this study, it is concluded that Lemna minor can be used for treating CWE after dilution with fresh water.     

Interior versus exterior configurations of passive wells with filter cartridges for cleaning contaminated groundwater

This study considered alternative configurations of passive wells equipped with filter cartridges for removing contaminated groundwater. The wells fully penetrated a simulated unconfined aquifer. Both homogeneous and heterogeneous hydraulic conductivity distributions were considered. An initial configuration comprised wells along the downgradient perimeter of a contaminant plume, spaced 0.5 m in the direction transverse to regional groundwater flow. Additional wells near the downgradient tip of the plume prevented off‐site contamination. Alternative configurations had the same number of wells, but some included wells along higher (interior) concentration contours to facilitate quicker removal of the contaminant plume. Results suggest that downgradient configurations generally outperform alternatives, although repositioning a few outer wells near the contaminant source may be effective in some cases. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

含磁粉生物反应器处理苯酚废水

采用含磁粉生物反应器对质量浓度为120～350 mg/L的苯酚模拟废水进行强化生物处理.实验结果表明:添加适量磁粉可使废水中DO提高约10%;与不含磁粉生物反应器比较,含磁粉生物反应器工艺使填料挂膜时间缩短1～2 d,填料上附着微生物量增多;质量浓度为350 mg/L的苯酚模拟废水在20 h内的苯酚去除率可达80%,降解时间缩短了10 h.初步分析了添加磁粉提高生物反应器处理废水效率的机理.实验证实了含磁粉生物反应器工艺的合理运用是强化处理含酚废水的有效途径.     

Best Available Treatment Technologies Applied to Groundwater Circulation Wells

Groundwater circulation wells (GCWs) are a quasi‐in‐situ method for remediating groundwater in areas where remediation techniques that limit the water available for municipal, domestic, industrial, or agricultural purposes are inappropriate. The inherently resource‐conservative nature of groundwater circulation wells is also philosophically appealing in today's culture, which is supportive of green technologies. Groundwater circulation wells involve the circulation of groundwater through a dual‐screen well, with treatment occurring between the screens. The wells are specifically designed so that one well screen draws in groundwater and the second returns the groundwater after it has been treated within the well. Historically, the treatment has been performed with specialized equipment proprietary to GCW vendors. Two full‐scale pilot systems at a formerly used Defense Superfund site in Nebraska used best available technologies for treatment components. A multiple‐tray, low‐profile air stripper typically used for pump‐and‐treat remediation systems was successfully adapted for the GCW pilot system located in a trichloroethylene (TCE) hot spot. An ultraviolet water disinfection system was successfully adapted for the GCW pilot system located in a hot spot contaminated with the explosive compound hexhydro‐1,3,5‐trinitro‐1,3,5‐triazine (RDX). The pilot systems showed that GCW technology is competitive with a previously considered pump‐and‐treat alternative for focused extraction, and the regulatory community was supportive of additional GCW applications. A remedial design for the site includes 12 more GCW systems to complete focused remediation requirements. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Application of Biobarriers for Groundwater Containment at Fractured Bedrock Sites

Biological barriers are a beneficial application of biofilms that aim at reducing the hydraulic conductivity (K) in geological formations. Several studies have shown the potential benefits of creating such barriers either by stimulating the indigenous microbial community (biostimulation) or injecting bacteria (bioaugmentation). For example, laboratory experiments show that groundwater microorganisms attached to a ceramic surface and generated a biofilm as thick as 1,100 μm. In a limestone fracture, this bacterial community clogged a single fracture up to 99.2 percent within 22 days. At the field scale, applications in porous aquifers led to a five‐fold decrease in K after 2.5 days of biostimulation, and a bioaugmentation with a starved, adapted bacterial culture decreased K by 99.4 percent. One promising development of the biobarrier concept is a field application at a fractured bedrock site. Using a multidisciplinary approach and focusing on a well‐characterized fracture system, a field trial was undertaken in Southern Ontario to measure the extent of bioclogging and the stability over time. This article focuses on the literature pertinent to the preparation of this field trial and presents the innovative approach selected to monitor the bioclogging in such a challenging environment.     

Seven‐year performance evaluation of a permeable reactive barrier

In June and July 2001, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) installed a permeable reactive barrier (PRB) to treat a groundwater plume of chlorinated solvents migrating from an electronics manufacturer in Needham, Massachusetts, toward the Town of Wellesley's Rosemary Valley wellfield. The primary contaminant of concern at the site is trichloroethene (TCE), which at the time had a maximum average concentration of approximately 300 micrograms per liter directly upgradient of the PRB. The PRB is composed of a mix of granular zero‐valent iron (ZVI) filings and sand with a pure‐iron thickness design along its length between 0.5 and 1.7 feet. The PRB was designed to intercept the entire overburden plume; a previous study had indicated that the contaminant flux in the bedrock was negligible. Groundwater samples have been collected from monitoring wells upgradient and downgradient of the PRB on a quarterly basis since installation of the PRB. Inorganic parameters, such as oxidation/reduction potential, dissolved oxygen, and pH, are also measured to determine stabilization during the sampling process. Review of the analytical data indicates that the PRB is significantly reducing TCE concentrations along its length. However, in two discrete locations, TCE concentrations show little decrease in the downgradient monitoring wells, particularly in the deep overburden. Data available for review include the organic and inorganic analytical data, slug test results from nearby bedrock and overburden wells, and upgradient and downgradient groundwater‐level information. These data aid in refining the conceptual site model for the PRB, evaluating its performance, and provide clues as to the reasons for the PRB's underperformance in certain locations. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Chemical augmentation for the remediation of a hydrocarbon‐contaminated site

Field trials with inorganic fertilizer (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) nutrients were simulated in the greenhouse to remediate hydrocarbon‐polluted soils from a spill site in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Samples of the polluted soils taken from two depths were displayed in a randomized complete block (RCB) design and treated with 10–100 g of (NH₄)₂SO₄, KH₂PO₄, and KCl. The agronomic addition of the chemical nutrients was found to enhance the concentrations of nitrate‐nitrogen, phosphate‐phosphorus, and potassium in the soils. Pretreated nitrate‐nitrogen content ranged from 432 to 590 mg/kg in the polluted samples (with a control at 522 mg/kg), while posttreatment concentrations were 3,285 ± 154 mg/kg and 3,254 ± 159 mg/kg for surface and subsurface soils, respectively. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

移动床生物膜反应器预处理含酚废水

采用两级移动床生物膜反应器（MBBR）预处理高挥发酚含量的石化厂汽提净化水,考察了HRT和DO对废水中挥发酚和COD去除效果的影响。实验结果表明：在两级MBBR总HRT为10 h、MBBR中部废水DO 为1~3 mg/L的条件下, 装置连续运行处理ρ（挥发酚）=110~201 mg/L、COD=644~1 827 mg/L、BOD₅/COD=0.15~0.69的废水,两级MBBR处理后出水平均ρ（挥发酚）为17.6 mg/L,挥发酚去除率达87.9%;平均COD为745 mg/L,COD去除率为32.7%;出水BOD₅/COD平均为0.68,表明经过两级MBBR处理后,废水的可生化性有所提高,有利于废水的后续生化处理。     

SMBBR-AF-SMBBR组合工艺处理高氨氮农药废水

采用特异性移动床生物膜反应器(SMBBR)和厌氧生物滤池(AF)组合工艺处理高氨氮农药废水。考察了HRT、pH和DO等工艺条件对SMBBR-AF-SMBBR组合工艺运行稳定期COD和氨氮去除率的影响。试验结果表明,在进水COD为2 408~7 440 mg/L、ρ(NH_4~+-N)为160.21~433.84 mg/L、TN为208.27~537.65 mg/L、HRT为8d、pH为8.0、DO为4 mg/L的条件下,处理后出水平均COD为342 mg/L,COD去除率达92.3%;ρ(NH_4~+-N)小于4.0mg/L,氨氮平均去除率为89.2%;TN小于50 mg/L,平均TN去除达83.0%。出水各指标均优于原A2O工艺出水。     

高效反渗透工艺处理电厂废水

采用“机械加速澄清—重力式过滤—离子交换—除碳—高效反渗透” 工艺处理某电厂废水,将反渗透产水作为冷却塔补水。运行结果表明：弱酸阳离子交换器出水碱度≤0.10 mmol/L、硬度≤0.02 mmol/L、浊度≤0.2 NTU,满足高效反渗透对进水水质的要求;高效反渗透产水浊度<0.1 NTU,COD_Mn≤0.08 mg/L,硬度≤1.12 mg/L,碱度≤8.40 mg/L,ρ（总铁）<10 μg/L,ρ（总硅）<0.5 mg/L,电导率<45 μS/cm,出水水质满足回用要求。针对该系统存在的自用水率高、过滤器污堵以及水量不平衡等问题提出了相应的建议。     

Impact of Cathode Conditions on Coupled Electrochemical Treatment of Nitrate Brine Concentrates

Simulated concentrated nitrate brine waste was treated in a two-stage electrolysis process, where reduction of nitrate in a cathodic chamber was coupled with oxidation of ammonium (produced in the previous stage) in an anodic chamber. The influence of operating conditions such as applied potential, electrolyte composition, and initial concentration on conversion of nitrate to ammonium in the cathodic chamber was investigated. The effects of chloride and current density on the two-stage treatment process were also examined. More negative potential at the cathode (?2.0 vs. ?1.7 and ?1.5 V) and higher current density (33 vs. 22 and 13.9 mA/cm²) favored ammonium as the product of nitrate reduction at a copper cathode and increased the overall amount of nitrate conversion. Faster reduction was seen when nitrate concentration was lower (0.01 vs. 0.02 N), but total mass conversion of nitrate in the same time period was higher for 0.02 N. The reduction of nitrate was not sensitive to sulfate or chloride concentration in the ranges studied (0–2 and 1–1.5 mg/L, respectively), but the oxidation of ammonium was noticeably higher when chloride was present. Only small amounts of ammonium and nitrate remained in the second-stage effluent after coupled treatment.     

TiO_2/GeO_2复合膜光催化氧化处理活性蓝染料废水

自制了一种新的TiO_2/GeO_2复合膜光催化氧化反应器,研究了该反应器对经臭氧氧化处理后的活性蓝染料废水的光催化氧化降解过程.在过氧化氢加入量为400 mg/L、光照120 min的条件下,COD去除率可达92.5%,处理后废水COD为39.4 mg/L,达到GB8978-1996<污水综合排放标准>.     

Chemical oxidation using stabilized hydrogen peroxide in high temperature,saline groundwater impacted with hydrocarbons and MTBE

In situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) of petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs) within groundwater is considered a proven approach to addressing PHC‐impacted groundwater in nonsaline environments. One of the most common oxidants used for oxidation of PHCs in groundwater is hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Due to its highly reactive nature, H₂O₂ is often stabilized to aid in increasing its reactivity lifespan. Limited research and application of ISCO has been completed in warm, saline groundwater environments. Furthermore, even fewer studies have been completed in these environments for ISCO using stabilized H₂O₂. In this research, stabilized H₂O₂ was examined to determine its effectiveness in the treatment of PHCs and the additive methyl tert‐butyl ether (MTBE). Three stabilizers (citrate, phytate, silica [SiO₂]) were tested to determine if the stabilizers could enhance and extend the treatment life of H₂O₂ within saline groundwater. To determine the effect of salinity on the three stabilizers, groundwater and aquifer samples were collected from two saline locations that had different salinity (total dissolved solids of about 7,000 mg/L and 18,000 mg/L). Specific target chemicals for treatment were water soluble, mobile components of gasoline including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes, (BTEX) and MTBE. Previous studies using unactivated persulfate indicated that the PHCs within the groundwater could be oxidized, however, only limited oxidation of the MTBE could be affected. The results of the laboratory tests indicated that greater than 95 percent of the target hydrocarbons were removed within 7 days of treatment. Microcosms with citrate‐stabilized H₂O₂ demonstrated a significantly faster and greater decline with most hydrocarbon concentrations reaching < 5 μg/L. The exceptions were ethylbenzene and m‐xylene, which were slightly decreased to about 30 and 20 μg/L, respectively. Initial mean concentrations of the BTEX compounds within the citrate‐stabilized microcosms were 10,554 μg/L, 9,318 μg/L, 6,859 μg/L, and 14,435 μg/L, respectively. The silicate‐stabilized H₂O₂ microcosms showed no significant benefit over the unstabilized control microcosms. The better performance of citrate‐stabilized microcosms was confirmed by increasing δ13C values of remaining hydrocarbons. MTBE declined from > 400 mg/L to < 100 mg/L in all microcosms, again with the best removal (> 90 percent) being measured in the citrate‐stabilized microcosms. Unfortunately, H₂O₂ oxidation in the microcosms also resulted in production of up to 40 mg/L TBA or approximately 10 percent of the MTBE oxidized.