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

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

CO2 Radiocarbon Analysis to Quantify Organic Contaminant Degradation, MNA, and Engineered Remediation Approaches

Project Information
Project ID: ER-2338
Principal Investigator: Dr. Thomas Boyd, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
SERDP Jan 2013

A Practical Approach for Remediation Performance Assessment and Optimization at DNAPL Sites for Early Identification and Correction of Problems Considering Uncertainty

Project Information
Project ID: ER-2310
Principal Investigator: Dr. Jack Parker, The University of Tennessee
SERDP Jan 2013

Forecasting Effective Site Characterization and Early Remediation Performance

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

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

Contaminant Flux Reduction Barriers for Managing Difficult-to-Treat Source Zones in Unconsolidated Media

Project Information
Project ID: ER-201328
Principal Investigator: Dr. Charles Newell, GSI Environmental Inc.
ESTCP Jan 2013

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

Advanced Environmental Molecular Diagnostics to Assess, Monitor, and Predict Microbial Activities at Complicated Chlorinated Solvent Sites

Project Information
Project ID: ER-2312
Principal Investigator: Dr. Frank Löffler, University of Tennessee
SERDP Jan 2013

Development of Field Methodology to Rapidly Detect Dehalococcoides and Dehalobacter Spp. Genes On-Site

Project Information
Project ID: ER-2309
Principal Investigator: Dr. Alison Cupples, Michigan State University
SERDP Jan 2013

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

Bioaugmentation for Aerobic Bioremediation of RDX-Contaminated Groundwater

Project Information
Project ID: ER-201207
Principal Investigator: Dr. Mandy Michalsen, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
ESTCP Mar 2012

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

Designing, Assessing, and Demonstrating Sustainable Bioaugmentation for Treatment of DNAPL Sources in Fractured Bedrock

Project Information
Project ID: ER-201210
Principal Investigator: Dr. Charles Schaefer, Shaw Environmental, Inc.
ESTCP Mar 2012

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

Cost-Effective and High-Resolution Subsurface Characterization Using Hydraulic Tomography

Project Information
Project ID: ER-201212
Principal Investigator: Dr. Chin Man Mok, AMEC Geomatrix, Inc.
ESTCP Mar 2012

Decision Support System for Matrix Diffusion Modeling

Project Information
Project ID: ER-201126
Principal Investigator: Dr. Charles Newell, GSI Environmental Inc.
ESTCP Mar 2011

Demonstration of a Fractured Rock Geophysical Toolbox for Characterization and Monitoring of DNAPL Biodegradation in Fractured Rock Aquifers

Project Information
Project ID: ER-201118
Principal Investigator: Dr. Lee Slater, Rutgers University-Newark
ESTCP Mar 2011

Development of an Expanded, High-Reliability Cost and Performance Database for In Situ Remediation Technologies

Project Information
Project ID: ER-201120
Principal Investigator: Mr. Travis McGuire, Groundwater Services, Inc.
ESTCP Mar 2011

In Situ Biogeochemical Transformation of Chlorinated Solvents

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

Development and Validation of a Quantitative Framework and Management Expectation Tool for the Selection of Bioremediation Approaches at Chlorinated Solvent Sites

Project Information
Project ID: ER-201129
Principal Investigator: Ms. Carmen Lebr�n, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Engineering Service Center
ESTCP Mar 2011

Basic Research Addressing Contaminants in Low Permeability Zones

Project Information
Project ID: ER-1740
Principal Investigator: Dr. Tom Sale, Colorado State University
SERDP Oct 2010

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

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

Determining Source Attenuation History to Support Closure by Natural Attenuation

Project Information
Project ID: ER-201032
Principal Investigator: Dr. Charles Newell, GSI Environmental Inc.
ESTCP Nov 2009

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

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

Cooperative Technology Demonstration: Polymer-Enhanced Subsurface Delivery and Distribution of Permanganate

Project Information
Project ID: ER-200912
Principal Investigator: Dr. Michelle Crimi, Clarkson University
ESTCP Apr 2009

Coupled Diffusion and Reaction Processes in Rock Matrices: Impact on Dilute Groundwater Plumes

Project Information
Project ID: ER-1685
Principal Investigator: Dr. Charles Schaefer, Shaw Environmental, Inc.
SERDP Jan 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

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

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

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

Demonstration and Validation of a Fractured Rock Passive Flux Meter

Project Information
Project ID: ER-200831
Principal Investigator: Dr. Kirk Hatfield, University of Florida
ESTCP Apr 2008

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

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

Computational and Experimental Investigation of Contaminant Plume Response to DNAPL Source Zone Architecture and Depletion in Porous and Fractured Media

Project Information
Project ID: ER-1610
Principal Investigator: Dr. Edward Sudicky, University of Waterloo
SERDP Jan 2008

A Comparison of Pump-and-Treat, Natural Attenuation, and Enhanced Biodegradation to Remediate Chlorinated Ethene-Contaminated Fractured Rock Aquifers

Project Information
Project ID: ER-1555
Principal Investigator: Dr. Allen Shapiro, U.S. Geological Survey
SERDP Jun 2007

Assessment of the Natural Attenuation of NAPL Source Zones and Post-Treatment NAPL Source Zone Residuals

Project Information
Project ID: ER-200705
Principal Investigator: Dr. Paul Johnson, Arizona State University
ESTCP Apr 2007

DNAPL Removal from Fractured Rock Using Thermal Conductive Heating

Project Information
Project ID: ER-200715
Principal Investigator: Ms. Carmen Lebr�n, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Engineering Service Center
ESTCP Apr 2007

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

Combining Low-Energy Electrical Resistance Heating with Biotic and Abiotic Reactions for Treatment of Chlorinated Solvent DNAPL Source Areas

Project Information
Project ID: ER-200719
Principal Investigator: Dr. Tamzen Macbeth, CDM
ESTCP Apr 2007

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