EVALUATING ABOVE-GROUND PERMEABLE REACTIVE BARRIER MATERIALS: SORPTION EFFICIENCIES FOR ORTHOPHOSPHATE-P AND AMMONIA-N ONTO ZEOLITE AND LIMESTONE

摘要

Environmental scientists are familiar with the concept of subsurface permeable reactive barriers (PRBs). Traditional PRBs are designed as conduits for contaminated groundwater flow. As contaminated water passes through the reactive zone of the PRB, the contaminants are either immobilized or chemically transformed to a more desirable (e.g., less toxic, more readily biodegradable, etc.) state. The aboveground PRB system is a rather new idea which utilizes the principle of subsurface permeable reactive barrier. Surface flow is directed through a bed of reactive materials where contaminant is treated similarly to belowground PRBs. Although simple in concept, careful selection of reactive materials is very important for achieving maximum benefits.