Removal of TCE using zero valent iron (ZVI) with other contaminants

An alternative to pump and treat groundwater remediation is the use of reactive barriers. Zero valent iron (ZVI) is particularly useful as a reductant of chlorinated hydrocarbons because of its low cost and lack of toxicity ZVI can drive the dechlorination of chlorinated organic compounds and the reduction of chromium from the Cr(Ⅵ) to the Cr(III) state. The contaminants in subsurface environment usually exist as the mixed compounds. Therefore, the objective of this research is to study the effect of the other compounds on TCE removal by ZVI. The removal mechanism of TCE by ZVI is separated the dechlorination and sorption. TCE removal by ZVI slightly increased in presence of naphthalene as the non-reduced compound. TCE removal by ZVI remarkable decreased in presence of carbon tetrachloride, nitrate, and chromate as the reduced compounds. This research suggests that the effect of the coexisted compounds on the removal chlorinated compounds by reactive barrier technology should be considered for practical application.