PRODUCTS OF CHROMATE REDUCTION ON PROPOSED SUBSURFACE REMEDIATION MATERIAL

Recent studies have shown promising results for subsurface remediation of dissolved chromate using permeable-reactive redox walls. Chromate reduction in the presence of iron filings and quartz grains was studie d to determine the fate of reduced chromium in proposed wall material. Using a flow-through column apparatus, iron filings mixed with quartz grains were reacted with solutions that contained about 20 mg/L disso lved Cr(VI). Reacted iron filings developed coatings comprised of goet hite with chromium concentrated in the outermost edges. Surface analys is showed all detectable chromium occurred as Cr(III) species. In addi tion, in regions of increased chromium concentration, goethite acquire d chemical and structural characteristics similar to Fe2O3 and Cr2O3. Results of the study show that complete reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) occurred and that Cr(III) was incorporated into sparingly soluble sol id species.