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Effects of Sorbent Microporosity on Multicomponent Fate and Transport in Contaminated Groundwater Aquifers
EPA Grant Number: R828772C005Subproject: this is subproject number 005 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R828772
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: HSRC (2001) - Western Region Hazardous Substance Research Center for Developing In-Situ Processes for VOC Remediation in Groundwater and Soils
Center Director: Semprini, Lewis
Title: Effects of Sorbent Microporosity on Multicomponent Fate and Transport in Contaminated Groundwater Aquifers
Investigators: Reinhard, Martin
Institution: Stanford University
EPA Project Officer: Lasat, Mitch
Project Period: September 1, 2001 through August 31, 2003
Project Amount: Refer to main center abstract for funding details.
RFA: Hazardous Substance Research Centers - HSRC (2001)
Research Category: Hazardous Waste/Remediation
Description:
Objective:The risk associated with contaminated groundwater aquifers is controlled largely by contaminant sequestration in micropores of the aquifer sediments. The objectives of this study are to: (1) evaluate techniques for characterizing microporosity of aquifer sediments and other natural sorbents; (2) determine how measurements of effective micropore volume and size depend on environmental variables and contaminant properties; (3) quantify the interactions between multiple contaminants during uptake in micropores; and (4) predict the time scale for multicomponent release from natural sorbents when micropore sorption is the dominant sequestration mechanism. Approach:
This work will be completed in two phases. The first phase will include characterization of the microporosity of natural sorbents, and determination of how the uptake of a single contaminant is affected by environmental conditions and contaminant properties. These will be accomplished by: (1) measuring the adsorption of a selected set of sorbates from the gas phase onto model solids and onto aquifer sediments; (2) measuring uptake and release selectivity for different combinations of sorbate, sorbent, and relative humidity; and (3) measuring sorption with some of the same sorbate-sorbent combinations under aqueous conditions. The sorbates used will include nitrogen, methane, ethane, ethylene, carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethylene, and perchloroethylene. The second phase of the project will include quantification of multicomponent effects on equilibrium sorption and on the kinetics of contaminant release. This will be accomplished by extending previously-used approaches to the broad range of sorbates listed above. Expected Results:
The results expected from this work include: (1) development of a technique for characterizing microporosity of aquifer sediments and other natural sorbents with respect to uptake and release of trace organic compounds; (2) a database that can be used to estimate the micropore volume and size distribution of aquifer material; (3) increased understanding of how the effective micropore volume depends on contaminant properties, sorbent properties, and environmental conditions; (4) evaluation of the utility of models that describe interaction between multiple contaminants during uptake; and (5) prediction of the time scale for release of multiple contaminants from aquifer sediments when micropore sorption is the dominant sequestration mechanism. Together, these represent a significant contribution in the following arenas: (1) risk assessment and risk-based corrective action (RBCA) at contaminated groundwater sites; (2) assessment of contaminant bioavailability at contaminated sites; and (3) design of novel and/or in situ remediation techniques. Supplemental Keywords:
Polanyi, Dubinin, Manes, potential theory. , Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Water, Scientific Discipline, Waste, RFA, Health Risk Assessment, Hazardous Waste, Fate & Transport, Contaminated Sediments, Groundwater remediation, Hazardous, Ecology and Ecosystems, remediation, treatment, fate and transport, control technologies, chemical transport, aquifer fate and treatment, kinetcs, emissions, groundwater, NAPL, contaminated aquifers, chemical kinetics, contaminated sediment, contaminant dynamics, chlorinated solvents, sorbent microporosity, contaminated soil, groundwater contamination, TCE, in situ treatment, advanced treatment technologies, contaminated groundwater, sediment treatment, environmental engineering, kinetics, VOCs, chlorinated VOCs, chemical contaminants, sediments, air emissions, in situ remediation
Progress and Final Reports:
2002 Progress Report
2003 Progress Report
Main Center Abstract and Reports:
R828772 HSRC (2001) - Western Region Hazardous Substance Research Center for Developing In-Situ Processes for VOC Remediation in Groundwater and Soils
Subprojects under this Center:
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R828772C001 Developing and Optimizing Biotransformation Kinetics for the Bio- remediation of Trichloroethylene at NAPL Source Zone Concentrations
R828772C002 Strategies for Cost-Effective In-situ Mixing of Contaminants
and Additives in Bioremediation
R828772C003 Aerobic Cometabolism of Chlorinated Aliphatic Hydrocarbon Compounds with Butane-Grown Microorganisms
R828772C004 Chemical, Physical, and Biological Processes at the Surface of Palladium Catalysts Under Groundwater Treatment Conditions
R828772C005 Effects of Sorbent Microporosity on Multicomponent Fate
and Transport in Contaminated Groundwater Aquifers
R828772C006 Development of the Push-Pull Test to Monitor Bioaugmentation
with Dehalogenating Cultures
R828772C007 Development and Evaluation of Field Sensors for Monitoring
Bioaugmentation with Anaerobic Dehalogenating Cultures for In-Situ Treatment of
TCE
R828772C008 Training and Technology Transfer
R828772C009 Technical Outreach Services for Communities (TOSC) and Technical Assistance to Brownfields Communities (TAB) Programs
R828772C010 Aerobic Cometabolism of Chlorinated Ethenes by Microorganisms that Grow on Organic Acids and Alcohols
R828772C011 Development and Evaluation of Field Sensors for Monitoring Anaerobic Dehalogenation after Bioaugmentation for In Situ Treatment of PCE and TCE
R828772C012 Continuous-Flow Column Studies of Reductive Dehalogenation with Two Different Enriched Cultures: Kinetics, Inhibition, and Monitoring of Microbial Activity
R828772C013 Novel Methods for Laboratory Measurement of Transverse Dispersion in Porous Media
R828772C014 The Role of Micropore Structure in Contaminant Sorption and Desorption