Abiotic In Situ Technologies for Groundwater Remediation Conference August 31 - September 2, 1999

A ground water treatment process is described in whichcontaminants are adsorbed onto granulated activated car-bon (GAC) containing fixed iron oxide. Hydrogen peroxide(H2O2) is amended to the GAC suspension and reacts withthe iron, forming hydroxyl radicals (·OH). The radicals reactwith and oxidize sorbed and soluble contaminants regen-erating the carbon surface. Laboratory results are pre-sented in which 2-chlorophenol (2CP) was first adsorbedto GAC and subsequently oxidized via the Fenton-drivenmechanism. Transformation of 2CP was indicated by theformation of carboxylic acids and Cl release. 2CP treat-ment efficiency, defined as the molar ratio of Cl releasedto H2O2consumed, increased with increasing amounts ofiron oxide and 2CP on the GAC. The extent of 2CP oxida-tion increased withH2O2 concentration. Lower treatmentefficiency was evident at the highest H2O2concentrationutilized (2.1 M) and was attributed to increased ·OH scav-enging byH2O2. Aggressive oxidation procedures used insequential adsorption/oxidation cycles did not alter theGAC surface to a degree that significantly interfered withsubsequent 2CP adsorption reactions. Although processfeasibility has not yet been established beyond bench-scale, experimental results illustrate the potential utility ofthe adsorption/oxidation process in above-ground systemsor permeable reactive barriers for the treatment of con-taminated ground water. This paper has been published in the Journal of Environmental Engineering. The complete citation is: Huling, S.G., R.G. Arnold, R.A. Sierka, K.P.Jones and D. Fine. 2000. “Contaminant Adsorption and Oxidation via FentonReaction.” Journal of Environmental Engineering, 126(7), 595-600.