GWERD Research on Permeable Reactive Barriers (PRB)

A Permeable Reactive Barrier (PRB) is a zone of reactive material that extends below the water table to intercept and treat contaminated ground water. GWERD researchers investigate the geochemical, hydrogeological, and microbiological factors that govern the performance and functioning of PRBs. Understanding these factors is necessary in order to predict the longevity of PRB systems, conduct economic analysis, and to optimize the implementation of this ground-water cleanup technology for a wide variety of hazardous compounds.

Recent Highlights

• Publication: Capstone Report on the Application, Monitoring, and Performance of Permeable Reactive Barriers for Ground-Water Remediation
  This document provides detailed performance monitoring data on full-scale Permeable Reactive Barriers (PRBs) installed to treatcontaminated ground water at two different sites. It contains information needed by site managers and others who are faced with the need to remediate ground water contaminated by chlorinated solvents, Chromium, arsenic, nitrates, and other organic and inorganic compounds and are considering the use of this cost-effective technology.

• Field Project: Dissolved Ferrous Iron Reactive Barrier for Hexavalent Chromium at the Macalloy Superfund Site (contact: ludwig.ralph@epa.gov)

• Field Project: Pilot Zero-valent Iron PRB for Arsenic at the East Helena Superfund Site (contact: wilkin.rick@epa.gov)

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