In-situ chemical oxidation of 1,1-DCE in a low-conductivity zone using potassium permanganate

Abstract

Injection of potassium permanganate (KMn04) was conducted in an effort to remediate a Superfund Site contaminated with 1, 1-Dichloroethene (1, 1-DCE) at the Samsonite building area of the Tucson International Airport in Tucson, AZ. In-situ chemical oxidation such as this has been an effective method of source zone remediation for several other sites contaminated with chlorinated compounds due to its ability to destroy the compounds relatively quickly and effectively. Laboratory tests were done to determine the correct amount ofKMn04 to use based on the levels of 1,1-DCE present in the soil. Once this specific mass of KMn04 was established, it was injected into eight wells out of nine in a square grid over 21 days and allowed to break down 1, 1-DCE over time. A 3-dimensional profile of hydraulic conductivity values was generated using a regression equation that predicted them from sediment classifications. The program MODFLOW-2000 was employed, using the hydraulic conductivity values along with additional physical parameters from the site to simulate the KMn04 injection. This model can be used in conjunction with MT3DMS, a program designed to simulate solute transport, as a tool that can be used to predict the behavior and extent of KMn04 distribution over a given time period.