Integrated Electrochemical Degradation and Biodegradation for Treatment of Contaminated Groundwater

Colorado State University, Fort Collins CO

Investigators

Abstract

0086839 Reardon The objective of this research is to improve the efficacy of the in situ treatment of migrating plumes of contaminated ground water. The engineering technologies to be developed and synergistically combined are (1) electrochemical alteration of the local redox environment and (2) enhanced biodegradation. The envisioned implementation entails constructing a plume-intercept zone in which the augmented degradation of chlorinated pollutants (e.g. perchloroethene) occurs as ground water traverse the zone. The augmented destruction of contaminants is an anticipated outcome for two reasons. First, the reducing conditions generated at the cathodic surfaces inserted in the upstream side of the intercept zone will stimulate the development of bacterial populations that can dechlorinate the pollutants. Second, the oxidizing conditions generated in the down stream section of the zone in conjunction with the dechlorinated state of the pollutants will lead to accelerated mineralization. This grant is made pursuant to Solicitation NSF 00-49, New Technologies for the Environment. ***