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WP 10 Pilot Site Applications and Field Demonstrations

WP10 Objectives

  • Testing of emerging NP applications on pilot field sites.
  • Optimisation of NPs and tools (WPs 2-7) via feedback from pilot sites and field demonstrations.
  • Determination of degradation products at field conditions.
  • Application of appropriate injection technologies for varying hydrogeology
  • Alleviating the current lack of validated field scale performance data for end-users and regulators.

NanoRem (Nanotechnology for contaminated land Remediation) is a research consortium (EU, FP7) dedicated to develop in-situ groundwater remediation technologies based on the injection of nanoparticles in the subsurface. For a successful transfer to the end user, nanoremediation technology performance and applicability has to be shown at realistic scales (pilot sites, field applications), including considerations of cost and wider impacts.

Successful field demonstrations allow for the test of different injection methods for difficult geological conditions. Selected NPs developed in NanoRem are being tested on several sites in different hydrogeological, hydrochemical and climatic environments and also against different contaminant distributions and target contaminants. Efficient performance requires a suitable injection technology, confirmation that NPs can be transported to the required treatment zone and that their longevity guarantees an economical application (but not a hazardous long term persistence in the environment).

A total of seven field injections are being conducted in six countries in the NanoRem project (Table 1):


Table 1: NanoRem sites in different European countries and Israel with corresponding site primary investigators, contaminants and particles (to be) used

Site

Country

Site Primary Investigator (SPI)

Target Cont.

NP-Type
(Producer)

Reaction Principle

Aquifer

Zurzach

CH

Solvay

CHC

nZVI, milled
(UVR-FIA)

Reduction/
Sorption

Layered alluvial

Spolchemie 1

CZ

Aquatest

CHC

nZVI, stabilized
(NANOIRON)

Reduction

alluvial

Spolchemie 2

CZ

Aquatest

BTEX

Iron-Oxide
(HMGU / UDE)

Oxidation/ microb. Enhancement

alluvial

Barreiro

PO

GeoPlano

HM

nZVI, tbd
(NANOIRON)

Immobilisation

alluvial

Besor-Secher

IS

Negev, BGU

CHC

Carbo-Iron®
(SciDre)

Reduction

fractured

Balassagyarmat

H

Golder

CHC

Carbo-Iron®
(SciDre)

Reduction

coarse alpine

Bizkaia

ES

Tecnalia

HM

nZVI, tbd
(NANOIRON)

Reduction/
Immobilisation

alluvial



In the Bad Zurzach (CH) site (Fig. 1) CHC were detected in residual concentration in an alluvial aquifer with a fairly high groundwater flow velocity. Milled nZVI particles (UVR-FIA) were injected to chemically reduce the contaminants (Fig. 2).

figure 1 - Zurzach


Figure 1: Zurzach site with contamination and pilot test location


Figure 2: Zurzach site, details of NP injection

 

The Spolchemie Site (CZ, Fig. 3) shows a CHC plume and some residual saturation (Fig. 4). Groundwater velocities in the alluvial aquifer are moderate. Nanofer 25s (NANOIRON) has been injected to chemically reduce the contamination. In the southeastern part of the Spolchemie site a toluene contamination has been located and delineated. The toluene plume migrating towards the Elbe river is to be intercepted by ironoxide NP (Goethite, HMGU) to enhance microbial degradation and thus to stop the plume (Fig. 5). 


Figure 3: Spolchemie site (Usti nad Labem, CZ)


Figure 4: DNAPL (PCE) contamination and pilot location for nZVI injection at the Spolchemie Site


Figure 5: LNAPL (toluene) contamination and pilot location for injection of iron oxidize NP at the Spolchemie Site

 

Barreiro (PO) is an abandoned industrial complex close to the sea (Fig. 6) with a high content of various heavy metals in both the saturated and unsaturated zone. An additional challenge of this site is the low pH of the groundwater. Different particles are tested to immobilize the heavy metals on small plots on that site.


Figure 6: Barreiro site in Portugal


A second heavy metal site is located in Bizkaia (ES, Fig. 7). The site is located on an alluvial aquifer next to a river and, in contrast to the Portuguese site, does not show a pH reduction.



Figure 7: Pilot site in Nitrastur, Spain

 

In Balassagyarmat (HU) next to a company (Fig. 8) formerly manufacturing electronic equipment (now closed) CHC in plume and some residual saturation has been detected. These contaminations are to be treated using an injection of Carbo-Iron (UFZ, SciDre).


Figure 8: Pilot site in Balassagyarmat, Hungary

 

The Besor-Secher site in Israel (Fig. 9) is distinguished by a much more arid climate and a fractured aquifer. While the site offers a range of contaminants from an industrial complex nearby, at this time the main focus on the site is on transport and targeted deposition of various NP in this complicated hydrogeological system.


Figure 9: Besor-Secher site, Israel

In summary: particles tested include different kinds of nZVI, Carbo-Iron® and iron-oxide (Goethite) NP. Each of these particles targets specific contaminants (organic, inorganic, chlorinated hydrocarbons etc.), in other words they enhance specific remediation processes (chemical reduction or oxidation, microbial dechlorination or oxidation etc.) Moreover, each NP suspension has specific requirements with respect to hydro-geological (coarse or fine grained porous material, fractures) and hydro-geochemical (pH, salinity, redox conditions etc.) site conditions.

As of (May 2015), particles have been injected at three sites (Zurzach, Usti nad Labem (DNAPL), Besor-Secher). Four more (Usti nad Labem (LNAPL), Balassagyarmat, Barreiro, Nitrastur) will follow by the end of September 2015.

Taking Nanotechnological Remediation Processes from Lab Scale to End User Applications for the Restoration of a Clean Environment.
This project has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement No. 309517
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