Biogeochemical Processes that Control Natural Attenuation of Trichloroethylene in Low Permeability Zones

Abstract

The overall goal of this research was to quantify the biotic and abiotic attenuation mechanisms that impact the fate and transport of trichloroethylene (TCE) within and at the boundaries of low permeability zones (LPZs) comprised of clays and silts, and to incorporate these processes into a computationally efficient model that can be used to directly address key questions regarding natural attenuation time scales and cleanup at TCE-impacted sites. Batch studies were performed to evaluate the biogeochemical conditions that promote abiotic TCE reaction under anaerobic and aerobic conditions in natural soils. Results from these studies indicate that abiotic TCE reduction and oxidation are both important natural attenuation pathways for TCE in low permeability clays, and that more reducing conditions favor formation of a suite of Fe(II) minerals that contribute to these reaction pathways.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 31, 2020
Accession Number
AD1154412

Entities

People

  • Albert J. Valocchi
  • Charles E Schaefer
  • Charles J Werth
  • Robert Sanford
  • Timothy J Strathmann

Organizations

  • University of Texas at Austin

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Alkanes
  • Alkenes
  • Chemical Kinetics
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Ecology
  • Environment
  • Environmental Protection
  • Environmental Restoration And Remediation
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Liquid Chromatography
  • Mineralogy
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Organic Compounds
  • Phyllosilicates

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Groundwater Contamination Remediation.