Abstract
Groundwater contamination by chlorinated hydrocarbons is a worldwide problem that poses important challenges in remediation processes. In Italy, the Legislative Decree 152/06 defines the water quality limits to be obtained during the cleanup process. In situ bioremediation techniques are becoming increasingly important due to their affordability and, under the right conditions, because they can be more effective than conventional methodologies. In the initial feasibility study phase, the numerical modeling supports the reliability of each technique. Two different codes, BIOCHLOR and PHREEQC were discussed and compared assuming different field conditions. Isotopic Fractionation-Reactive Transport Models were then developed in one synthetic and one simple field case. From the results, the two codes were in agreement and also able to demonstrate the Monitored Natural Attenuation processes occurring at the dismissed site located in Italy. Finally, the PHREEQC model was used to forecast the remediation time frame by MNA, hypothesizing a complete source cleanup: a remediation time frame of about 10–11 years was achieved by means of natural attenuation processes.
Highlights
Chlorinated Hydrocarbons (CHCs) are globally distributed anthropogenic contaminants that affect the groundwaters at industrial sites
Bioremediation involves the use of microorganisms to degrade the contaminants into non-harmful compounds; it can be divided into two main categories: Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA), which is a passive methodology, and Enhanced Natural Attenuation (ENA), which involves active methodologies
PHREEQC was selected as the isotopic fractionation (IF)-RTM numerical code, as it was deemed suitable to represent the 1D conditions of the site and BIOCHLOR-ISO was selected as the analytical code since it is a well-established tool to evaluate the MNA processes
Summary
Chlorinated Hydrocarbons (CHCs) are globally distributed anthropogenic contaminants that affect the groundwaters at industrial sites. Dichloroethene (DCE) were widely used in dry cleaning and degreasing operations, but had a large variety of other uses [1,2,3]. The Italian Legislative Decree 152/06, which adopts the European Directive 2006/118/CE, introduces the water quality objectives that must be fulfilled as a result of remediation processes, which correspond to the Contamination. The in situ remediation methodologies for contaminated groundwaters are preferred because they avoid off-site handling of contaminated materials, resulting in less expensive operations [4]. Bioremediation involves the use of microorganisms to degrade the contaminants into non-harmful compounds; it can be divided into two main categories: Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA), which is a passive methodology, and Enhanced Natural Attenuation (ENA), which involves active methodologies
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