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APPLICATION OF AN EMULSIFIED POLYCOLLOID SUBSTRATE BIOBARRIER TO REMEDIATE PETROLEUM-HYDROCARBON CONTAMINATED GROUNDWATER
Lee, T.-H., D.C.W. Tsang, W.H. Chen, F. Verpoort, Y.T. Sheu, and C.M. Kao.
Chemosphere 219:444-455(2019)

An emulsified polycolloid substrate (EPS) was developed and applied to form a biobarrier for the containment and enhanced bioremediation of a toluene-contaminated groundwater plume. EPS had a negative zeta potential (-35.7 mv), which promoted its even distribution after injection. Batch and column experiments conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of EPS on toluene containment and biodegradation resulted in a partition coefficient of 943. Groundwater containing toluene (18 mg/L) was pumped into the three-column system at a flow rate of 0 28 mL/min, while EPS was injected into the second column to form a biobarrier. A significant reduction of toluene concentration to 0.1 mg/L was observed immediately after EPS injection, indicating its effectiveness to contain the toluene plume and prevent migration farther downgradient. About 99% of toluene was removed after 296 pore volumes of operation via sorption, natural attenuation, and EPS-enhanced biodegradation. An increase in total organic carbon and bacteria was also observed after EPS supplement. Supplement of EPS resulted in a growth of petroleum-hydrocarbon degrading bacteria, which enhanced the toluene biodegradation.



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