Dechlorination of TCE from Groundwater by Nanostructured metals and by Chelate-Based Oxidative Reactions

Contamination of groundwater and soil with chlorinated organics is quite widespread in various parts of USA. Development of technologies to detoxify groundwater (at Superfund sites) must have long-term viability and low cost to make the applications successful. Through NIEHS/EP A funding we have developed both nanosized metal and chelated-modified hydroxyl radical reaction techniques for TCE and other organic dechlorination. The proposed DOE/State funded work will optimize the chemical dosage in lab scale and then conduct in-situ remediation of groundwater in a Kentucky site. The scope of the work will involve: (1) Lab work to synthesize larger quantities of nanostructured metals with uniform characteristics, (2) Lab work involving column studies and actual water to optimize the dosage and establish dechlorination efficiency, (3) Development of chemical injection (and nanopartic1es) protocols for actual site remediation, (4) TCE dechlorination studies at site(s) identified by the State,(5) Data correlation involving extent of dechlorination and groundwater flow characteristics.