Reactive transport model to evaluate the nitrate remediation effectiveness based on ethanol injection pulses

Published
2018-07-02
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14295/ras.v32i2.29111
Keywords: Nitrate. Groundwater Contamination. Remediation. Reactive Transport Model. Nitrato. Contaminação de Águas Subterrâneas. Remediação. Transporte Reativo.

    Authors

  • Elias Hideo Teramoto Centro de Estudos Ambientais, UNESP, Campus de Rio Claro/SP
  • Hung Kiang Chang

Abstract

Nitrate represents the most widespread contaminant in shallow aquifers, and offers risk to the human health through ingestion of contaminated groundwater. Thus, in situ aquifer treatment is highly recommended. Laboratory tests indicated the strong ethanol efficiency in nitrate reduction, but field test are scarce. Numerical simulations of reactive transport were carried out in order to evaluate the feasibility of remediation techniques based on denitrification induced by solution injection with high concentrations of ethanol in the Rio Claro Aquifer, located in the homonymous municipality. The results point out that the tested remediation, under the imposed technical conditions, it was efficient for nitrate removal and is capable of restoring the groundwater potability. However, for long term efficiency it is necessary to combine the proposed solution with source of contamination removal to prevent the input of new contamination inlet into the aquifer.

How to Cite
Teramoto, E. H., & Chang, H. K. (2018). Reactive transport model to evaluate the nitrate remediation effectiveness based on ethanol injection pulses. Águas Subterrâneas, 32(2), 248–255. https://doi.org/10.14295/ras.v32i2.29111