title: Application of controlled nutrient release to permeable reactive barriers.
abstract: The application of controlled release nutrient (CRN) materials to permeable reactive barriers to promote biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in groundwater was investigated. The longevity of release, influence of flow velocity and petroleum hydrocarbon concentration on nutrient release was assessed using soluble and ion exchange CRN materials; namely Polyon™ and Zeopro™. Both CRN materials, assessed at 4 °C and 23 °C, demonstrated continuing release of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N-P-K) at 3500 bed volumes passing, with longer timeframes of N-P-K release at 4 °C. Zeopro™-activated carbon mixtures demonstrated depletion of N-P-K prior to 3500 bed volumes passing. Increased flow velocity was shown to lower nutrient concentrations in Polyon™ flow cells while nutrient release from Zeopro™ was largely unchanged. The presence of petroleum hydrocarbons, at 1.08 mmol/L and 3.25 mmol/L toluene, were not shown to alter nutrient release from Polyon™ and Zeopro™ across 14 days. These findings suggest that Polyon™ and Zeopro™ may be suitable CRN materials for application to PRBs in low nutrient environments.
authors.affiliation: Particulate Fluids Processing Centre, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia; Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Benjamin L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Freidman
authors.affiliation: Particulate Fluids Processing Centre, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia; Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia; The ARC Dairy Innovation Hub, The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Sally L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Gras
authors.affiliation: Australian Antarctic Division, Channel Highway, Kingston, Tasmania 7050, Australia.
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Snape
authors.affiliation: Particulate Fluids Processing Centre, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Geoff W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.affiliation: Particulate Fluids Processing Centre, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia. Electronic address: mumfordk@unimelb.edu.au.
authors.forename: Kathryn A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Mumford
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D060587:Groundwater / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000382:microbiology; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000378:metabolism*; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D010578:Petroleum / Q000378:metabolism*; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D011188:Potassium / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D014872:Water Movements; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D006838:Hydrocarbons; D010578:Petroleum; D010758:Phosphorus; D009584:Nitrogen; D011188:Potassium
keywords: Controlled release; Flow velocity; Groundwater; Petroleum hydrocarbon