The bench-scale studies will test use of several zero valent iron (ZVI) products, including nano zero valent iron (nZVI), on the remediation of chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs) a common contaminant at groundwater remediation sites.
The company said nZVI products were selected for the study because they have a much greater surface area than conventional iron powders, which make them more effective in certain site remediation scenarios.
The new studies will use samples of these new products on groundwater and geologic materials collected from a former manufacturing site to evaluate the morphology or structure of the products as well as their mobility, persistence, and toxicity to aquatic organisms.
Aecom environmental practice project design engineer in Atlanta Dora Chiang said enhanced non-biological degradation, coupled with ongoing biodegradation of CVOCs, will likely result in a reduction in treatment time by remediating CVOCs to below their respective federal drinking water maximum contaminant levels.
"This new treatment technology may save significant life-cycle cleanup costs while ensuring protection of human health and the environment," Chiang said.
In other nanomaterial-related projects, Aecom’s Toxicology Laboratory, has investigated the aquatic toxicity of nZVI and other nanomaterials.
