Zero Valent Iron for Soil and Water Remediation.
The debate over nano-scale versus micro-scale zero valent iron (ZVI) has attracted the attention of leading scientists in the environmental remediation industry. As originators of ZVI permeable reactive barrier (PRB) technology, EnviroMetal Technologies and Adventus Americas join the debate, enjoying the benefit of over 20 years of global experience in field-scale ZVI applications. The news release addresses some key points made by the European Nanotechnology Gateway organisation, via their recent report entitled “Nano zero valent iron - THE solution for water and soil remediation?"
Waterloo, Canada; Oberhausen, Germany (Vocus) August 17, 2010
The Adventus Group, a multinational remediation technology enterprise, provides a review of the Observatory NANO Focus Report 2010 on the issues surrounding nano-scale ZVI (nZVI) for treatment of contaminated water and soil.
Colleagues at our Canadian affiliate; EnviroMetal Technologies Inc (ETI) reviewed this report, available at their website European website (http://www. observatory-nano. eu/project/). It presents useful information on nanoscale zero valent iron (nZVI) use in the EU. As many industry watchers will know, ETI is the originator of ZVI permeable reactive barrier (PRB) technology. The numerous challenges surrounding this technology described in the report’s conclusions reinforce our opinion that while high reactivity nanoscale metals represent an intriguing development in contaminant remediation, significant questions concerning their technical performance and cost, as well as related health and safety issues, need to be answered before these particles can be considered for widespread use as a commercial remedial option.
Specific comments are summarized in a concise report available at nZVI versus ZVI (http://www. adventusgroup. com/pdfs/competitive/nZVI_rebuttal_article_AUG2010.pdf). In addition to the references therein, interested readers are directed to the following sources of information concerning nZVI technology:
US EPA Nanotechnology for Site Remediation Fact Sheet (http://www. epa. gov/tio/download/remed/542-f-08-009.pdf) A detailed review of a California Groundwater Resource Association meeting held in the fall of 2009 on nanotechnology in the environment (http://www. grac. org/spring10.pdf) The environmental sciences and engineering center (http://cgr. ese. ogi. edu/cgi-bin/) at the Oregon Graduate Institute maintains a searchable database containing several articles pertaining to nZVI.
On a related note, the US Interstate Technology Regulatory Council (ITRC, in preparation) will be publishing an updated PRB guidance document in the Fall of 2010, which will include a thorough discussion of PRBs for VOCs and inorganics. We will present a review of this document in an upcoming Adventus newsletter. For more information concerning this article or related information on ZVI, please contact John Vogan on john. vogan(at)adventusgroup(dot)com.
About Adventus Group – Environmental Biotechnologies for the 21st Century.
Adventus Group provides a growing portfolio of leading environmental remediation technologies, including patented offerings from Adventus Americas Inc. and EnviroMetal Technologies Inc. Our business model supports site owners, environmental engineers, consultants, regulators, and the academic community by providing unbiased design, and selection of the most cost-effective remediation strategies. Our proprietary portfolio includes:
In Situ Chemical Reduction (ISCR™) technologies:
DARAMEND® for soils, sludges and sediments; EHC® portfolio of injectable amendments for groundwater; EHC-A® liquid formulation for wells and other networks; EHC-M® for immobilization of soluble metal impacts; A-SOX™ canister delivery system; ZVI PRBs and related groundwater treatment innovations; ZVI-Clay for in situ source zone treatment; EHC-O® oxygen releasing compound for in situ hydrocarbon treatment;
O-SOX™ canister delivery system; ISGS™ in situ geochemical stabilization of DNAPL;
AquaBlok® for in situ sub-aqueous capping and treatment of sediments;
AquaBlok+™ for capping and treatment of impacted sediments;
HoleBlok+™ down-well, low-permeability sealant;
MGCW™ microbiologically enhanced Groundwater Circulation Wells;
Modeling Services for optimization of remedial designs and strategies.
The Adventus scientific team is a recognized practice leader, with over 500 Abstracts published within the industry. Through July 2010, we have successfully treated over 9,000,000 metric tons of soil impacted by hazardous wastes — and millions of gallons of groundwater — on 5 continents around the globe. For more information visit us online at Adventus or ETI.
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