A Controlled Field Test of Surfactant‐Enhanced Aquifer Remediation

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Abstract
The presence of dense nonaqueous phase liquids is one of the principal problems associated with current ground‐water remediation efforts. Standard pump‐and‐treat methods are ineffective largely because of the low aqueous solubilities of DNAPL components. Surfactants can increase DNAPL solubility and hence have the potential for increasing the rate of DNAPL dissolution in pump‐and‐treat systems. To test the effectiveness of surfactants under field conditions, a controlled field test at Canadian Forces Base Borden was undertaken. Results indicate surfactant‐enhanced aquifer remediation can rapidly remove the majority of DNAPL using simple modifications of a pump‐and‐treat system. As in all pump‐and‐treat systems, the efficiency is a function of the hydraulic conductivity. The persistence of high DNAPL concentrations at specific elevations within the aquifer throughout the test indicates that little vertical movement of DNAPL occurred as a result of the introduction of the surfactant. Since the test was stopped when small amounts of DNAPL still remained, the limit of removal was not investigated.

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