Cleanup Objectives: Biodegrade a volatile organic compound (VOC) hotspot 10-18 feet below ground surface in a remote location

Green Remediation Strategy:

Treated ground water in a 10,000 square-foot bioreactor:

• Used woody waste supplied by a local municipality
• Obtained cotton-gin trash from the local cotton industry
• Relies exclusively on power from a 200-watt photovoltaic array to recirculate ground water
• Employs a small submersible pump designed for solar applications and suitably sized for low rates of ground-water transfer

Results:

• Achieves increased concentrations of VOC break-down compounds
• Transfers 1,300 cubic meters of carbon-enriched leachate into the aquifer each year
• Maintains a ground-water flow rate of 928 gallons each day
• Avoided significant cost for connection to the electricity grid
• Incurred capital costs of only $2,300 for the pump/solar system
• Provides low-maintenance alternative for potentially extended time
• Provides opportunity of re-using alternative energy source with 20- to 30-year lifespan at other locations or sites

Property End Use: Continued military operations