Performance evaluation of a permeable reactive barrier for remediation of dissolved chlorinated solvents in groundwater

A pilot-scale permeable reactive barrier (PRB) consisting of granular iron was installed in May 1995 at an industrial facility in New York to evaluate the use of this technology for remediation of chlorinated Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in groundwater. The performance of the barrier was monito red over a 2-year period. Groundwater velocity through the barrier was dete rmined using water level measurements, tracer tests, and in situ velocity m easurements. While uncertainty in the measured groundwater velocity hampere d interpretation of results, the VOC concentration data from wells in the P RE indicated that VOC degradation rates were similar to those anticipated f rom laboratory results. Groundwater and core analyses indicated that format ion of carbonate precipitates occurred in the upgradient section of the iro n zone, however, these precipitates did not appear to adversely affect syst em performance. There was no indication of microbial fouling of the system over the monitoring period. Based on the observed performance of the pilot, a full-scale iron PRE was installed at the site in December 1997. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.