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Drastic Reduction of Contamination with In-Situ Remediation, Netherlands
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THE CHALLENGE Between 1975 and 1999, aerosol cans were cleaned with the solvent tetrachloroethene (PCE) at a chemical site in Veenendaal. This practice resulted in soil and groundwater impacts over a 300 m2 area, to a depth of 16 meters below land surface. The maximum reported concentration on the site was 120 parts per million (ppm). Site remediation was necessary, but the remedial action could not interfere with plant operations.
THE APPROACH: After a careful evaluation of the multiple remedial scenarios, source zone (hot spot) removal using in-situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) was determined to be the first step. Strong reactive oxidants were injected into the contaminated soil to degrade contaminants to harmless end products. The remedial goal was to reduce contaminant mass by 90% and reach a preset allowable maximum concentration of 5 ppm in groundwater.
THE RESULT: The source zone was remediated successfully. The source area contamination was reduced drastically to within the treatment goals. The effect of the source zone remediation on the plume area will be monitored in the coming years.
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