SITE INFORMATION AND CORRESPONDENCE

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1 INFORMATION SHEETGIDER NO. R5-2008-0149 . 5 IN-SITU GROUNDWATER REMEDIATION AT SITES WITH VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS, NITROGEN COMPOUNDS, PERCHLORATE, PESTICIDES, SEMI-VOLATILE COMPOUNDS AND/OR PETROLEUM HYDROCARBONS oxidation reactions are dependent on many variables, such as, pH, temperature, concentration of the reactants, catalysts, reaction by-products, and impurities (oxidant scavengers, organic matter, etc.) that all must be taken into consideration. The oxidant needs to be delivered in such a manner that the oxidant comes into the contact with the pollutant to be oxidized. The delivery goal is to ensure that the oxidant is dispersed evenly throughout the groundwater needing to be remediated. The solubility and rate of reaction of the oxidant need to be considered when developing the method of delivery of the oxidant. Treatment Zone The treatment zone is the area where the oxidation/reduction processes take place. During oxidation, several changes in water quality parameters can occur. The oxidation process can cause trivalent chromium present in formation materials and dissolved in the aquifer to be converted to hexavalent chromium, a much more toxic form of chromium. In addition, chlorides will be liberated if the pollutants being oxidized are chlorinated compounds. Increases in salts can occur if the oxidant being used has a salt component such as sodium or potassium. Reduction processes have similar concerns with chlorides and salts. Reducing conditions will remove dissolved oxygen from the water, and can liberate excess concentrations of dissolved iron and manganese from formation materials, and generate methane, causing secondary water quality problems. These waste discharge requirements recognize that water quality objectives for some parameters may be exceeded within the treatment zone. However, water quality objectives are not allowed to be exceeded outside of the treatment zone. Monitor wells are established downgradient of the treatment zone for use as compliance wells. The monitor wells are used to measure compliance with water quality objectives and groundwater limitations. The size of the treatment zone should be made as small as feasible, but in most cases will be driven by the plume configuration and design of the treatment system. The treatment zone could include a transition zone where ambient groundwater mixes with the treatment zone, reestablishing ambient oxidative conditions. In contact with the oxygen of ambient groundwater, the elevated concentrations of ferrous iron and dissolved manganese are oxidized, removing them from solution. Methane concentrations return to ambient concentrations much more slowly, and travel further than other reduced species. Therefore, the formation of methane should be avoided to the extent practicable by minimizing the degree of reducing conditions generated by the project. It is not appropriate