title: Field assessment of nanoscale bimetallic particles for groundwater treatment.
abstract: A field demonstration was performed in which nanoscale bimetallic (Fe/Pd) particles were gravity-fed into groundwater contaminated bytrichloroethene and other chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons at a manufacturing site. With diameters on the order of 100-200 nm, the nanoparticles are uniquely suited to rapidly degrade redox-amenable contaminants and for optimal subsurface delivery and dispersion. Approximately 1.7 kg of the nanoparticles was fed into the test area over a 2-day period, resulting in minimal clogging of the injection well. The test area was located within a well-characterized region of the contaminant plume and included an injection well and three piezometer couplets spaced 1.5 m apart. Despite the low nanoparticle dosage, trichloroethene reduction efficiencies of up to 96% were observed over a 4-week monitoring period with the highest values observed at the injection well and adjacent piezometers. Data from the field assessment were consistent with the results of pre-injection laboratory studies, which showed rapid dechlorination of target chlorinated compounds accompanied by a sharp decrease of standard oxidation potential and an increase in pH.
authors.affiliation: Civil and Environmental Engineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, USA.
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Elliott
authors.forename: W X
authors.initials: WX
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D001711:Biotransformation; D004867:Equipment Design; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000737:chemistry*; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000378:metabolism*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007474:Ion Exchange; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D010316:Particle Size; D014241:Trichloroethylene / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D008670:Metals; D014241:Trichloroethylene