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In situ push-pull tests for the determination of TCE degradation and permanganate consumption rates

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Environmental Geology

Abstract

A simple, single-well push-pull test was conducted at a TCE-contaminated site to estimate the site-specific TCE degradation and permanganate (MnO −4 ) consumption rate. Known quantities of a conservative tracer (Br−) and permanganate were rapidly injected into a saturated aquifer then periodically sampled during extraction from the same well. Concentrations of Br−, TCE, and MnO −4 were measured; breakthrough curves (BTCs) for all species of solute were determined. Data analysis of BTCs for bromide and TCE showed that the first-order rate constant of TCE degradation by MnO − 4 is 1.67 ± 0.152 h−1. Further, the in situ MnO −4 demand rate by TCE and aquifer materials is estimated to be 0.54 ± 0.371 h−1. This study demonstrates that in situ push-pull tests are useful and economical tools for field investigations to determine contaminant reaction and oxidant consumption rates, which may then be used to optimize groundwater remediation designs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Kyunghee University, Yongin, 449-701, South Korea

    Seok-Oh Ko & Sang-Hyun Ji

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  1. Seok-Oh Ko
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  2. Sang-Hyun Ji
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Correspondence to Seok-Oh Ko.

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Ko, SO., Ji, SH. In situ push-pull tests for the determination of TCE degradation and permanganate consumption rates. Environ Geol 53, 359–364 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-0651-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-0651-8

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