Persistent Contamination

Some groundwater contamination remains difficult to remove, residing as DNAPLs or in difficult-to-treat areas such as fractured geologic media and low permeable zones.  SERDP and ESTCP efforts seek to better understand what causes persistent contamination and which methods are most effective in remediating and monitoring such sites.

Completed Projects List
Project Title Completed

Fundamental Study of the Delivery of Nanoiron to DNAPL Source Zones in Naturally Heterogeneous Field Systems

Project Information
Project ID: ER-1485
Principal Investigator: Dr. Gregory Lowry, Carnegie Mellon University
SERDP Sep 2012

Development of a Protocol and a Screening Tool for Selection of DNAPL Source Area Remediation

Project Information
Project ID: ER-200424
Principal Investigator: Ms. Carmen Lebr�n, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Engineering Service Center
ESTCP Jan 2012

In Situ Thermal Remediation of DNAPL Source Zones

Project Information
Project ID: ER-1458
Principal Investigator: Dr. Rick Johnson, Oregon Health and Science University
SERDP Dec 2011

Improved Field Evaluation of NAPL Dissolution and Source Longevity

Project Information
Project ID: ER-200833
Principal Investigator: Dr. Michael Kavanaugh, GeoSyntec Consultants
ESTCP Nov 2011

Diagnostic Tools for Performance Evaluation of Innovative In-Situ Remediation Technologies at Chlorinated Solvent-Contaminated Sites

Project Information
Project ID: ER-200318
Principal Investigator: Dr. Michael Kavanaugh, GeoSyntec Consultants
ESTCP Jul 2011

Fusion of Tomography Tests for DNAPL Source Zone Characterization: Technology Development and Validation

Project Information
Project ID: ER-1365
Principal Investigator: Dr. Walter Illman, University of Waterloo
SERDP Jul 2011

DNAPL Dissolution in Bedrock Fractures and Fracture Networks

Project Information
Project ID: ER-1554
Principal Investigator: Dr. Charles Schaefer, Shaw Environmental, Inc.
SERDP Jun 2011

Practical Cost-Optimization of Characterization and Remediation Decisions at DNAPL Sites with Consideration of Prediction Uncertainty

Project Information
Project ID: ER-1611
Principal Investigator: Dr. Jack Parker, The University of Tennessee
SERDP May 2011

Assessing Alternative Endpoints for Groundwater Remediation at Contaminated Sites

Project Information
Project ID: ER-200832
Principal Investigator: Dr. Rula Deeb, Malcolm Pirnie, Inc.
ESTCP May 2011

In Situ Chemical Oxidation for Groundwater Remediation - Technology Practices Manual

Project Information
Project ID: ER-200623
Principal Investigator: Dr. Robert Siegrist, Colorado School of Mines
ESTCP Apr 2011

Contaminant Mass Transfer During Boiling in Fractured Geologic Media

Project Information
Project ID: ER-1553
Principal Investigator: Dr Ron Falta, Clemson University
SERDP Apr 2011

Development and Optimization of Targeted Nanoscale Iron Delivery Methods for Treatment of NAPL Source Zones

Project Information
Project ID: ER-1487
Principal Investigator: Dr. Linda Abriola, Tufts University
SERDP Apr 2011

Protocol for Selecting Remedies for Chlorinated Solvent Releases

Project Information
Project ID: ER-200530
Principal Investigator: Dr. Tom Sale, Colorado State University
ESTCP Mar 2011

Enhanced Reactant-Contaminant Contact Through the Use of Persulfate In Situ Chemical Oxidation (ISCO)

Project Information
Project ID: ER-1489
Principal Investigator: Dr. Richard Watts, Washington State University
SERDP Feb 2011

Multi-Scale Experiments to Evaluate Mobility Control Methods for Enhancing the Sweep Efficiency of Injected Subsurface Remediation Amendments

Project Information
Project ID: ER-1486
Principal Investigator: Dr. John McCray, Colorado School of Mines
SERDP Oct 2010

Critical Evaluation of State-of-the-Art In Situ Thermal Treatment Technologies for DNAPL Source Zone Treatment

Project Information
Project ID: ER-200314
Principal Investigator: Dr. Paul Johnson, Arizona State University
ESTCP Oct 2010

Decision and Management Tools for DNAPL Sites: Optimization of Chlorinated Solvent Source and Plume Remediation Considering Uncertainty

Project Information
Project ID: ER-200704
Principal Investigator: Dr. Ronald Falta, Clemson University
ESTCP Oct 2010

Emulsified Zero-Valent Nanoscale Iron Treatment of Chlorinated Solvent DNAPL Source Areas

Project Information
Project ID: ER-200431
Principal Investigator: Mr. Thomas Krug, Geosyntec Consultants
ESTCP Sep 2010

Improved Monitoring Methods for Performance Assessment During Remediation of DNAPL Source Zones

Project Information
Project ID: ER-1490
Principal Investigator: Dr. Robert Siegrist, Colorado School of Mines
SERDP Aug 2010

Remediation of DNAPL through Sequential In Situ Chemical Oxidation and Bioaugmentation

Project Information
Project ID: ER-200116
Principal Investigator: Dr David Major, GeoSyntec
ESTCP Jun 2010

Improved Understanding of In Situ Chemical Oxidation (ISCO)

Project Information
Project ID: ER-1289
Principal Investigator: Dr. David W. Major, GeoSyntec Consultants
SERDP Jan 2010

Impacts of DNAPL Source Zone Treatment: Experimental and Modeling Assessment of Benefits of Partial Source Removal

Project Information
Project ID: ER-1295
Principal Investigator: Dr. Lynn Wood, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
SERDP Dec 2009

Large-Scale Physical Models of Thermal Remediation of DNAPL Source Zones in Aquifers

Project Information
Project ID: ER-1423
Principal Investigator: Dr. Ralph Baker, TerraTherm, Inc.
SERDP Sep 2009

Reductions in DNAPL Longevity Through Biological Flux Enhancement

Project Information
Project ID: ER-200438
Principal Investigator: Dr. C. Herb Ward, Rice University
ESTCP Sep 2009

Optimal Search Strategy for the Definition of a DNAPL Source

Project Information
Project ID: ER-1347
Principal Investigator: Dr. George Pinder, University of Vermont
SERDP Aug 2009

Investigation of Chemical Reactivity, Mass Recovery and Biological Activity During Thermal Treatment of DNAPL Source Zones

Project Information
Project ID: ER-1419
Principal Investigator: Dr. Kurt Pennell, Georgia Institute of Technology
SERDP Apr 2009

Treatment of Chlorinated Hydrocarbon Contaminated Groundwater with Injectable Nanoscale Bimetallic Particles

Project Information
Project ID: ER-200017
Principal Investigator: Mr. David Liles, ARCADIS
ESTCP Feb 2009

In Situ Bioremediation of Chlorinated Solvents Source Areas with Enhanced Mass Transfer

Project Information
Project ID: ER-200218
Principal Investigator: Dr. Kent Sorenson, Camp Dresser & McKee Inc.
ESTCP Sep 2008

Prediction of Groundwater Quality Improvement Down-Gradient of In Situ Permeable Treatment Barriers and Fully Remediated Source Zones

Project Information
Project ID: ER-200320
Principal Investigator: Dr. Paul Johnson, Arizona State University
ESTCP Sep 2008

Development of Assessment Tools for Evaluation of the Benefits of DNAPL Source Zone Treatment

Project Information
Project ID: ER-1293
Principal Investigator: Dr. Linda Abriola, Tufts University
SERDP Sep 2008

Biodegradation of Dense Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids (DNAPL) Through Bioaugmentation of Source Areas

Project Information
Project ID: ER-200008
Principal Investigator: Ms. Carmen Lebr�n, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Engineering Service Center
ESTCP Aug 2008

Control of Manganese Dioxide Particles Resulting from In Situ Chemical Oxidation Using Permanganate

Project Information
Project ID: ER-1484
Principal Investigator: Dr. Michelle Crimi, Clarkson University
SERDP Feb 2008

Innovative Electrochemical Injection and Mixing Strategies for Stimulation of In Situ Bioremediation

Project Information
Project ID: ER-1204
Principal Investigator: Dr. Steven Larson, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)
SERDP Jul 2007

Mass Transfer from Entrapped DNAPL Sources Undergoing Remediation: Characterization Methods and Prediction Tools

Project Information
Project ID: ER-1294
Principal Investigator: Dr. Tissa Illangasekare, Colorado School of Mines
SERDP May 2007

Reaction and Transport Processes Controlling In Situ Chemical Oxidation of DNAPLs

Project Information
Project ID: ER-1290
Principal Investigator: Dr. Robert Siegrist, Colorado School of Mines
SERDP Nov 2006

Development of a Mass Flux Toolkit to Quickly Evaluate Groundwater Impacts, Attenuation, and Remediation Alternatives

Project Information
Project ID: ER-200430
Principal Investigator: Dr. Charles Newell, GSI Environmental Inc.
ESTCP Jul 2006

Improved Understanding of Fenton-Like Reactions for In Situ Remediation of Contaminated Groundwater Including Treatment of Sorbed Contaminants and Destruction of DNAPLs

Project Information
Project ID: ER-1288
Principal Investigator: Dr. Richard Watts, Washington State University
SERDP Apr 2006

Foam Delivery of Hydrogen for Enhanced Aquifer Contacting and Anaerobic Bioremediation of Chlorinated Solvents

Project Information
Project ID: ER-1203
Principal Investigator: Dr. George Hirasaki, Rice University
SERDP Nov 2005

Decision Support System to Evaluate Effectiveness and Cost of Source Zone Treatment

Project Information
Project ID: ER-1292
Principal Investigator: Dr. Charles Newell, GSI Environmental Inc.
SERDP Oct 2005

Enhancement of Source Area Reductive Dechlorination by the In Situ Formation of Catalytically Active Iron Sulfide Precipitate

Project Information
Project ID: ER-200226
Principal Investigator: Ms. Laura Yeh, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Engineering Service Center
ESTCP Jul 2005

CleanOX® In Situ Chemical Oxidation of Groundwater

Project Information
Project ID: ER-200016
Principal Investigator: Mr. Thomas Numbers P.E., MECX, LLC
ESTCP Apr 2005

Dynamic Underground Stripping with Hydrous Pyrolysis Oxidation (DUS/HPO) – In Situ Destruction of DNAPLs and Dissolved Contaminants in Groundwater

Project Information
Project ID: ER-200014
Principal Investigator: Ms. Laura Yeh, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Engineering Service Center
ESTCP Apr 2005

Cyclodextrin-Enhanced In Situ Removal of Organic Contaminants from Groundwater at DoD Sites

Project Information
Project ID: ER-200113
Principal Investigator: Dr. Thomas Boving, University of Rhode Island
ESTCP May 2004

Negative Ion Sensors for Real-Time Downhole DNAPLs Detection

Project Information
Project ID: ER-1089
Principal Investigator: Dr Gregory Gillispie, Dakota Technologies Inc
SERDP Mar 2002

Surfactant Enhanced DNAPL Removal

Project Information
Project ID: ER-199714
Principal Investigator: Ms. Laura Yeh, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Engineering Service Center
ESTCP Aug 2001

Electromagnetic Surveys for 3-D Imaging of Subsurface Contaminants

Project Information
Project ID: ER-199718
Principal Investigator: Ms. Rebecca Biggers, Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center
ESTCP May 2000

Federal Integrated Biotreatment Research Consortium (FIBRC): Flask to Field Initiative

Project Information
Project ID: ER-720
Principal Investigator: Dr. Jeff Talley, University of Notre Dame
SERDP Oct 1999

Integrated Geophysical Detection of DNAPL Source Zones

Project Information
Project ID: ER-1090
Principal Investigator: Dr. Robert Grimm, Southwest Research Institute
SERDP Oct 1999

Non-Intrusive Characterization of Dense Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids Using Short-Lived Radiotracers in Partitioning Interwell Tracer Tests

Project Information
Project ID: ER-1128
Principal Investigator: Dr. Phillip Gauglitz, Pacific Northwest National Lab
SERDP Oct 1999

High Resolution Seismic Reflection to Characterize and Plan Remediation at Hazardous Waste Sites

Project Information
Project ID: ER-199601
Principal Investigator: Ms. Rebecca Biggers, Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center
ESTCP Oct 1999

Joint U.S./Germany In-Situ Bioremediation Demonstration

Project Information
Project ID: ER-99
SERDP Oct 1997

Aquifer Restoration by Enhanced Source Removal

Project Information
Project ID: ER-368
Principal Investigator: Dr. Lynn Wood, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
SERDP Mar 1997

Aerobic Bioremediation of a Contaminated Aquifer

Project Information
Project ID: ER-95
SERDP Jan 1997

Fuel Hydrocarbon Remediation

Project Information
Project ID: ER-20
SERDP Oct 1995