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.

Active Projects List
Project Title Start Date

Validation of Stable Isotope Ratio Analysis to Document the Biodegradation and Natural Attenuation of RDX

Project Information
Project ID: ER-201208
Principal Investigator: Dr. Paul Hatzinger, CB&I Federal Services
ESTCP Mar 2012

The Importance of Sorption in Low-Permeability Zones on Chlorinated Solvent Plume Longevity in Sedimentary Aquifers

Project Information
Project ID: ER-1738
Principal Investigator: Dr. Richelle Allen-King, University at Buffalo
SERDP Nov 2009

The Behavior of Compound Specific Isotopes during the Storage of Chlorinated Solvents in Low-Permeability Zones through Diffusion and Sorption

Project Information
Project ID: ER-1739
Principal Investigator: Dr. Orfan Shouakar-Stash, University of Waterloo
SERDP Aug 2009

Semi-Passive Oxidation-Based Approaches for Control of Large, Dilute Groundwater Plumes of Chlorinated Ethylenes

Project Information
Project ID: ER-1684
Principal Investigator: Dr. Franklin Schwartz, The Ohio State University
SERDP Jan 2009

Rapid Assessment of Remedial Effectiveness and Rebound in Fractured Bedrock

Project Information
Project ID: ER-201330
Principal Investigator: Dr. Charles Schaefer, Shaw Environmental, Inc.
ESTCP Jan 2013

Quantifying the Presence and Activity of Aerobic, Vinyl Chloride-Degrading Microorganisms in Dilute Groundwater Plumes by Using Real-Time PCR

Project Information
Project ID: ER-1683
Principal Investigator: Dr. Timothy Mattes, The University of Iowa
SERDP Jan 2009

Predicting DNAPL Source Zone and Plume Response Using Site-Measured Characteristics

Project Information
Project ID: ER-1613
Principal Investigator: Dr. Michael Annable, University of Florida
SERDP May 2008

Practical Assessment and Optimization of Redox-Based Groundwater Remediation Technologies

Project Information
Project ID: ER-2308
Principal Investigator: Dr. Paul Tratnyek, Oregon Health & Science University
SERDP Jan 2013

Metric Identification and Protocol Development for Characterizing DNAPL Source Zone Architecture and Associated Plume Response

Project Information
Project ID: ER-1612
Principal Investigator: Dr. Linda Abriola, Tufts University
SERDP Jan 2008

Incorporating Aerobic Processes into Remedies for Large Chlorinated Solvent Plumes

Project Information
Project ID: ER-201026
Principal Investigator: Dr. Brian Looney, Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL)
ESTCP Nov 2009

In Situ Biogeochemical Transformation of Chlorinated Solvents

Project Information
Project ID: ER-201124
Principal Investigator: Dr. Patrick Evans, CDM Smith
ESTCP Mar 2011

Improving Effectiveness of Bioremediation at DNAPL Source Zone Sites Applying Partitioning Electron Donors

Project Information
Project ID: ER-200716
Principal Investigator: Ms. Carmen Lebr�n, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Engineering Service Center
ESTCP Apr 2007

Impact of DNAPL Source-Zone Architecture on Contaminant Mass Flux and Plume Evolution in Heterogeneous Porous Media

Project Information
Project ID: ER-1614
Principal Investigator: Dr. Mark Brusseau, University of Arizona
SERDP Mar 2008

Impact of Clay-DNAPL Interactions on Transport and Storage of Chlorinated Solvents in Low Permeability Zones

Project Information
Project ID: ER-1737
Principal Investigator: Dr. Avery Demond, University of Michigan
SERDP Nov 2009

Frequently Asked Questions about Monitored Natural Attenuation in the 21st Century

Project Information
Project ID: ER-201211
Principal Investigator: Dr. Charles Newell, GSI Environmental Inc.
ESTCP Mar 2012

Forecasting Effective Site Characterization and Early Remediation Performance

Project Information
Project ID: ER-2313
Principal Investigator: Dr. Michael Kavanaugh, Geosyntec Consultants
SERDP Jan 2013

Field Demonstration, Optimization, and Rigorous Validation of Peroxygen-Based ISCO for the Remediation of Contaminated Groundwater

Project Information
Project ID: ER-200632
Principal Investigator: Dr. Richard Watts, Washington State University
ESTCP Apr 2006

Enhanced Amendment Delivery to Low Permeability Zones for Chlorinated Solvent Source Area Bioremediation

Project Information
Project ID: ER-200913
Principal Investigator: Dr. Charles Newell, GSI Environmental Inc.
ESTCP Jan 2009

Electrokinetic-Enhanced (EK-Enhanced) Amendment Delivery for Remediation of Low Permeability and Heterogeneous Materials

Project Information
Project ID: ER-201325
Principal Investigator: Mr. Evan Cox, GeoSyntec Consultants
ESTCP Jan 2013

Development of an Integrated Field Test/Modeling Protocol for Efficient In Situ Bioremediation Design and Performance Uncertainty Assessment

Project Information
Project ID: ER-2311
Principal Investigator: Dr. Linda Abriola, Tufts University
SERDP Jan 2013