Objective: 

This project seeks to demonstrate that permanganate can effectively remediate RDX-contaminated groundwater via an in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) approach. To better define permanganate's area of influence and performance, electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) will be used to delineate permanganate plume development, movement, and temporal changes in concentration.

Technology Description: 

Electrical resistivity imaging uses a multielectrode array to introduce current into the ground and measure the potential field. An electrical resistivity image is then developed using an inversion algorithm producing two- or three-dimensional figures. Recent advances in ERI technology have made this process capable of semiquantitative analysis of groundwater constituents. This project will use ERI to delineate the injected permanganate plume into discrete concentration zones so that RDX destruction rates can be obtained.

Expected Benefits: 

Site assessment following groundwater remediation efforts typically involves discrete point sampling. Considerable time, effort, and money can be consumed by initially delineating a contaminated plume or assessing the performance of an ISCO treatment. By using ERI to produce an image of the oxidant injected, much more exact areas of influence can be obtained and used in determining subsequent injections. This in turn minimizes over applications and avoids untreated zones in the contaminated plume. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2008)

Principal Investigator:

Dr. Steve Comfort

University of Nebraska

256 Keim Hall

Lincoln, NE 68583-0915

Telephone:  (402) 472-1502

Fax:  (402) 472-7904

E-mail:  scomfort@unl.edu

DoD Liaison:

Dr. Andrea Leeson

SERDP and ESTCP Program Office

901 North Stuart Street, Suite 303

Arlington, VA 22203

Telephone:  (703) 696-2118

Fax:  (703) 696-2114

E-mail:  Andrea.Leeson@osd.mil