Application of Emulsified Substrate Biobarrier to Remediate TCE-Contaminated Groundwater: Pilot-Scale Study

Abstract

Groundwater at many existing and former industrial areas and disposal sites is contaminated by halogenated organic compounds that were released into the environment. One cost-effective approach for the remediation of the chlorinated solvent contaminated aquifers is the installation of biobarriers within aquifers. The objective of this study was to assess the potential of using an in situ biobarrier system containing the emulsified substrate (ES) to bioremediate and contain the trichloroethylene (TCE) plume. The ES contained soybean oil, lactate, biodegradable surfactant, and nutrients, and thus it was able to provide carbon sources for the enhancement of the reductive dechlorination of TCE. A field-scale study was operated at a TCE-contaminated site, and 150 L of ES solution was pressure-injected into three remediation wells located in the upgradient area of the plume to form a biobarrier. Results show that the total organic carbon (TOC) went up from