Chemical oxidation and reactive barriers (PRB)

Chemical oxidation (ISCO) is an in situ remediation technology for cleaning soil and groundwater of oil products and other organic contaminants. Chemical oxidants are injected into the remediation zone through purpose-built wells or injection systems, where they react with the contaminants and break them down into less harmful compounds. The technology lowers contaminant concentrations by treating the contamination where it lies, with no need to excavate the contaminated soil.

Injecting persulfates, hydrogen peroxide and other suitable oxidants makes it possible to treat contaminated soil and groundwater zones in a targeted way. The choice of reagents, the dose and the injection method are adapted to the properties of the contaminants and the soil conditions.

A permeable reactive barrier (PRB) is an in situ remediation technology used to treat contaminated groundwater and limit the migration of contamination. A permeable zone containing specially selected reactive materials is built underground in the path of the groundwater flow. Carried by the natural groundwater flow, the contaminated water passes through the barrier, where the contaminants are chemically degraded, reduced or immobilised, depending on the material used and the type of contamination. PRB technology treats groundwater along its natural flow path.