About this project:

A pilot test was set up at a contaminated site to evaluate the feasibility of reductive dechlorination of 1,2-dichloropropane at high concentrations (>1,000 mg/L). Several injections of a carbon source are performed in combination with tracers (bromide and fluorescein) at a depth of 21 meters.

During the injection process, flow and pressure are continuously monitored. The distribution of the injection fluid is mapped through 18 surrounding monitoring wells. The tracer fluorescein was particularly useful to visually confirm the arrival of the injection solution in the monitoring wells.

A notable observation was that the flow direction, as demonstrated by the tracers, deviated about 30° from the expected groundwater gradient – an important fact when designing the full-scale remediation. Several analyses are being performed to demonstrate biodegradation:

This pilot test represents an essential step in validating an effective in situ remediation approach for this complex contamination.