HR: 1330h
AN: H32A-0507    [PDF]
TI: Efficacy of an Unsaturated Soil Flushing/Enhanced Bioremediation Technology
AU: * Smith, J E
EM: smithja@mcmaster.ca
AF: McMaster University, School of Geog. and Geology 1280 Main St. West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1 Canada
AU: Badley, J A
EM: badleyja@mcmail.cis.mcmaster.ca
AF: McMaster University, School of Geog. and Geology 1280 Main St. West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1 Canada
AU: Crowe, A S
EM: allan.crowe@ec.gc.ca
AF: National Water Research Inst., Environment Canada Canada Centre for Inland Waters, Burlington, ON L7R4A6 Canada
AB: Undesirably high concentrations of DDT and its daughter products DDE and DDD in some soils at Point Pelee National Park (PPNP) in Leamington, Ontario, Canada has resulted in restricted access to relatively large areas of the park. The contamination occurs primarily within the upper 20 cm thick Ah horizon, and has been linked to elevated levels within numerous local fauna. The common solution of "dig-and-dump" is not practical in this case since it would destroy the local protected ecosystem. Field trials conducted by McMaster University in partnership with Environment Canada, and Parks Canada have indicated that the application of solutions of cyclodextrin as a low-impact soil flushing/enhanced biodegradation remediation technology can remove a large proportion of DDT, DDE and DDD from the soil within a few months. Based upon previous studies at PPNP, the naturally occurring degradation processes would take decades to achieve the same mass loss. The cyclodextrin solutions exhibited a strong "tailing-effect" after approximately ten pore-volumes had passed through the Ah. There was an effect on soil hydraulic properties with decreased hydraulic conductivities and higher soil water retention, particularly where the higher concentration solutions were applied. The results indicate that soil flushing with cyclodextrin is highly effective to remediate pesticide contaminated soils. Additional work will quantify the relative amount of enhanced degradation versus mobilisation.
DE: 1831 Groundwater quality
DE: 1866 Soil moisture
DE: 1875 Unsaturated zone
DE: 1894 Instruments and techniques
SC: Hydrology [H]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting