Performance evaluation of a permeable reactive barrier for remediation of dissolved chlorinated solvents in groundwater

A pilot-scale permeable reactive barrier (PRB) consisting of granular iron was installed in May 1995 at an industrial facility in New York to evaluate the use of this technology for remediation of chlorinated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in groundwater. The performance of the barrier was monitored over a 2-year period. Groundwater velocity through the barrier was determined using water level measurements, tracer tests, and in situ velocity measurements. While uncertainty in the measured groundwater velocity hampered interpretation of results, the VOC concentration data from wells in the PRB indicated that VOC degradation rates were similar to those anticipated from laboratory results. Groundwater and core analyses indicated that formation of carbonate precipitates occurred in the upgradient section of the iron zone, however, these precipitates did not appear to adversely affect system performance. There was no indication of microbial fouling of the system over the monitoring period. Based on the observed performance of the pilot, a full-scale iron PRB was installed at the site in December 1997.