Reduced Metals Treatability Studies
Reduced metals are used to abiotically enhance remediation for a wide variety of contaminants in groundwater and soil/sediment. SiREM performs both microcosm and column studies for reduced metals applications using granular, nano-scale and micro-scale zero valent iron (ZVI), zero-valent magnesium, zinc and reduced iron minerals (e.g., siderite). Reduced metals microcosm studies are constructed using site groundwater and aquifer material to evaluate
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| SiREM technicians preparing sediment for reduced metals treatability study for mercury treatment |
- Design loading rates
- Effectiveness of specific reduced metals for remediation of particular contaminants
- Particle size comparison (granular versus micro or nano-scale)
- Use of bi-metallic particles (e.g., Mg-ZVI, Pd-ZVI)
- Comparison of emulsion formulations, sources or vendors
- Assessing biological/reduced metals interactions
ZVI Column Studies
ZVI continuous flow column studies are a critical step in the design process for permeable reactive barriers for groundwater remediation…
Permeable reactive barriers (PRBs) constructed with granular zero-valent iron (ZVI) are a proven remedial technology for treatment of chlorinated solvent groundwater plumes.
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| SiREM technician sampling ZVI column |
SiREM is the leading industry provider of granular ZVI column studies. These continuous flow column studies simulate the movement of groundwater through a PRB and typically last 1 to 2 months based on typical groundwater flow velocities. ZVI Column studies can be used to evaluate key PRB design parameters including:
- Degradation half- lives for contaminants and assessment of breakdown products to rule out incomplete degradation etc.
- PRB residence time required to achieve site-specific remedial goals.
- PRB design thickness, determined using the residence time and the expected groundwater flow velocity.
- Treatment longevity. Geochemical gradients, which are indicators of mineral precipitation and reactivity loss, are used to assess the site-specific potential for passivation and fouling of ZVI.
- Product selection. ZVI column studies can be performed with several candidate ZVI materials, ZVI-sand mixtures, or dispersed ZVI zones simulating emplacement by injection techniques.
