Application of encapsulation (pH-sensitive polymer and phosphate buffer macrocapsules): a novel approach to remediation of acidic ground water.

Macrocapsules, composed of a pH-sensitive polymer and phosphate buffer, offer a novel remediation alternative for acidic ground waters. To test their potential effectiveness, laboratory experiments were carried out followed by a field trial within a coal pile runoff (CPR) acidic contaminant plume. Results of traditional limestone and macrocapsule treatments were compared in both laboratory and field experiments. Macrocapsules were more effective than limestone as a passive treatment for raising pH in well water from 2.5 to 6 in both laboratory and field experiments. The limestone treatments had limited impact on pH, only increasing pH as high as 3.3, and armoring by iron was evident in the field trial. Aluminum, iron and sulfate concentrations remained relatively constant throughout the experiments, but phosphate increased (0.15-32 mg/L), indicating macrocapsule release. This research confirmed that macrocapsules may be an effective alternative to limestone to treat highly acidic ground water.

Assessing in situ mineralization of recalcitrant organic compounds in vadose zone sediments using delta13C and 14C measurements.

Few techniques exist to measure the biodegradation of recalcitrant organic compounds such as chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHC) in situ, yet predictions of biodegradation rates are needed for assessing monitored natural attenuation. Traditional techniques measuring O2, CO2, or chemical concentrations (in situ respiration, metabolite and soil air monitoring) may not be sufficiently sensitive to estimate biodegradation rates for these compounds. This study combined isotopic measurements (14C and delta13C of CO2 and delta13C of CHCs) in conjunction with traditional methods to assess in situ biodegradation of perchloroethylene (PCE) and its metabolites in PCE-contaminated vadose zone sediments. CHC, ethene, ethane, methane, O2, and CO2 concentrations were measured over 56 days using gas chromatography (GC). delta13C of PCE, trichloroethylene (TCE) and cis-1,2-dichloroethylene (DCE), delta13C and 14C of vadose zone CO2 and sediment organic matter, and delta13C, 14C, and deltaD of methane were measured using a GC-isotope ratio mass spectrometer or accelerator mass spectrometer. PCE metabolites accounted for 0.2% to 18% of CHC concentration suggesting limited reductive dechlorination. Metabolites TCE and DCE were significantly enriched in (13)C with respect to PCE indicating metabolite biodegradation. Average delta13C-CO2 in source area wells (-23.5 per thousand) was significantly lower compared to background wells (-18.4 per thousand) indicating CHC mineralization. Calculated CHC mineralization rates were 0.003 to 0.01 mg DCE/kg soil/day based on lower 14C values of CO2 in the contaminated wells (63% to 107% modern carbon (pMC)) relative to the control well (117 pMC). Approximately 74% of the methane was calculated to be derived from in situ CHC biodegradation based on the 14C measurement of methane (29 pMC). 14C-CO2 analyses was a sensitive measurement for quantifying in situ recalcitrant organic compound mineralization in vadose zone sediments for which limited methodological tools exist.

Isotopic and geochemical assessment of in situ biodegradation of chlorinated hydrocarbons.

Currently there is no in situ method to detect and quantify complete mineralization of chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHCs) to CO2. Combined isotopic measurements in conjunction with traditional chemical techniques were used to assess in situ biodegradation of trichloroethylene (TCE) and carbon tetrachloride (CT). Vadose zone CHC, ethene, ethane, methane, O2, and CO2 concentrations were analyzed using gas chromatography over 114 days at the Savannah River Site. delta13C of CHC and delta13C and 14C of vadose zone CO2, sediment organic matter, and groundwater dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC)were measured. Intermediate metabolites of TCE and CT accounted for < or = 10% of total CHCs. Delta13C of cis-1,2-dichloroethylene (DCE) was always heavier than TCE indicating substantial DCE biodegradation. 14C-CO2 values ranged from 84 to 128 percent modern carbon (pMC), suggesting that plant root-respired CO2 was dominant. 14C-CO2 values decreased over time (up to 12 pMC), and contaminated groundwater 14C-DIC (76 pMC) was substantially depleted relative to the control (121 pMC). 14C provided a direct measure of complete CHC mineralization in vadose zone and groundwater in situ and may improve remediation strategies.