Studies on the performance of reactive barriers: hydraulic design

Abstract

Underground contamination with hazardous wastes has been one of the largest environmental problems in many countries, with most sites presenting groundwater contamination. There are several technologies to control and remediate groundwater. One of the technologies      most used is the so called pump and treat, which consists on pumping the contaminated groundwater with subsequent treatment at the surface. However it has several limitations on long duration remediation works, especially when the aquifer is contaminated with NAPL 's (Non Aqueous Phase Liquids). Among the emerging technologies that are alternatives to pump and treat, one of the most promising is the in situ treatment of the contaminant in reactive barriers. This paper presents results of a parametric study aiming to evaluate some of the factors that affect the behaviour of reactive barriers, specially the inf1uence of the barrier configuration on the flow pattern of the aquifer (number, length and permeability of the reactors, direction of the hydraulic gradient, configuration and length of the impervious wall).