In situ remediation of mercury-impacted groundwater: laboratory and field evaluation

摘要

Conestoga-Rovers & Associates (CRA) was requested to develop an innovative technology for treatment of mercury in surface water to meet discharge permit requirements for a chemical manufacturing plant that utilizes mercury cells. CRA conducted a laboratory treatability study that involved screening several sulfur-rich, low-cost, naturally occurring materials for their affinity toward mercury fixation. The tested materials included peat moss, compost, human hair, and composted manure. The laboratory test was carried out using batch and column systems on representative groundwater samples containing mercury collected from a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) site. Composted manure was the most effective reagent among the tested materials, removing 99.8 percent of soluble mercury from groundwater to non-detect levels. This methods is now being pilot-tested in the form of a reactive barrier at the RCRA site.