Dechlorination of chlorinated hydrocarbons by soluble iron citrate

摘要

A method for significantly improving the dechlorination of chlorinated hydrocarbon compounds is disclosed. The method involves admixing preformed ferrous citrate with chlorinated hydrocarbon contaminated aqueous compositions both in situ and ex situ. The use of ferrous citrate decreases the oxidation potential of the Fe.sup.+2 /Fe. sup.+3 redox couple to cause oxidation by the chlorinated hydrocarbon with its concomitant reduction, thereby generating chloride ion.