Methods for increasing hydrophobicity of native water-bearing zones or aquifers comprising the step of permanently embedding non-degradable, solid colloidal materials formed to have a particulate size of less than 10 microns. Exemplary materials include activated carbon, zeolites and hydrophobically treated clays. The particulate colloidal materials are coated with an agent to facilitate their distribution, including anionic polymers, chelating agents or combinations thereof. The materials are applied preferably by low pressure injection and are particularly effective at containing the migration of hydrocarbon contaminants, typically present as a plume, for at least several decades.

A subsurface soil purification method including: warming an activator liquid, for stimulating decomposer microorganisms that decompose a contaminant in subsurface soil, to a higher temperature than a groundwater temperature, and feeding the activator liquid into the subsurface soil by injecting the activator liquid into an in-ground injection well; warming an activator liquid, for stimulating decomposer microorganisms that decompose a contaminant in subsurface soil, the decomposer microorganisms being infused in the activator liquid, to a higher temperature than a groundwater temperature, and feeding the activator liquid into the subsurface soil by injecting the activator liquid into an in-ground injection well, or warming a purification liquid for decomposing a contaminant in subsurface soil, to a higher temperature than a groundwater temperature, and feeding the purification liquid into the subsurface soil by injecting the purification liquid into an in-ground injection well. The subsurface soil purification method also includes forcing air into the injection well, and feeding the air into the subsurface soil from a position in the injection well that is lower than a position in the injection well for feed-in of the activator liquid or the purification liquid.

The disclosed embodiments describe a novel approach to the utilization of the fine mineral matter derived from coal and/or coal refuse (a by-product of coal refining) to convert a non-biodegradable plastic into a biodegradable plastic. The fine mineral matter could also be based on volcanic basalt, glacial rock dust deposits, iron potassium silicate and other sea shore mined deposits. The conversion of the non-biodegradable plastic into biodegradable plastic in soil further increases nutrients availability in soil with the transition metals released as a result of biodegradation of the biodegradable plastic.

A method of remediation of soil and groundwater containing hydrocarbons and halogenated compounds. The method includes introducing a remediation composition into the soil that includes: (a) a first bioremediation material including a first blend of organisms capable of degrading the hydrocarbons; (b) a second bioremediation material including a second blend of organisms differing from the first blend of organisms that is chosen for degrading the halogenated compounds; (c) an organic compound such as a complex carbohydrate (e.g., food grade starch); and (d) a third blend of organisms degrading the organic compound. The degrading of the organic compound breaks the complex carbohydrate into smaller molecules that are utilized by the microorganisms of at least one of the first and second bioremediation materials during the degrading of the hydrocarbons and the halogenated compounds. The first bioremediation composition typically includes activated carbon capable of adsorbing the hydrocarbons and the halogenated compounds.

A method of treating or remediating contaminated material, such as water or soil, comprises contacting such material with asphaltenes. The asphaltenes are preferably produced as a by-product of petroleum refining and, in particular, a by-product of vacuum residua. An adsorbent material comprising such asphaltenes is also provided.

The invention provides a method and a system for treating and/or decontaminating porous materials and/or aquifer layers, including at least one housing, at least one heating module, one module for injecting pressurized liquid and one recovery module. The heating means is capable of being introduced in the porous material, and includes at least one heating tube having a heat-conducting outer wall. The heating tube can be connected to the heating module. At least one pressurized-liquid injection tube is included which can be connected to the pressurized-liquid injection module. The system includes at least one vapor-extraction means for extracting the contaminant vapor. The extraction means is capable of creating the vacuum in the porous material and can be connected to the recovery module, and at least one layer of sealing material that can be applied to the surface of the porous material to be treated.

A method of utilizing contaminated water for soil stabilization operations or for the preparation of aggregates for use in asphaltic mix designs. A method where soil is evaluated for a soil typed and characteristic and a classified mixture of contaminated water is selected based on the soil type and characteristics. A reagent is selected based on the soil type and characteristics and the selected water mixture. The reagent and water mixture are then mixed to form a modified calcium hydroxide that is then applied to the soil.

A method where an aggregated is desired to have better adherent qualities within the mix design for better performance is selected and the surface water reduced/removed through the use of a select reagent and contaminated water.

A method for treating contaminant within contaminated soil and groundwater, especially deep aquifers, through in situ oxidative remediation of the contaminant by sparging, wherein the method includes multiple injection wells, injecting an oxidizing multi gas comprised of high concentration ozone gas (10-20% ozone by wt., 75-85% oxygen) at pressures up to 500 psi (34.5 bar) to reach well depths in excess of 1100 feet (335 meters) and when necessary compressed ambient air at pressures up to 500 psi (34.5 bar).

An apparatus includes a controllable contaminant-extraction system configured to, at least in part, extract an extractable contaminant from a contaminant plume positioned in the soil via an extraction conduit extending in the contaminant plume. A control assembly is configured to control operation of the controllable contaminant-extraction system in such a way that the controllable contaminant-extraction system extracts the extractable contaminant via the extraction conduit by randomly changing, at least in part, a flow rate of the extractable contaminant that is extracted from the contaminant plume.

A composition for use in remediation of soil and groundwater containing hydrocarbons and halogenated compounds. The remediation composition includes: (a) a first bioremediation material including a first blend of organisms capable of degrading the hydrocarbons; (b) a second bioremediation material including a second blend of organisms differing from the first blend of organisms that is chosen for degrading the halogenated compounds; (c) an organic compound such as a complex carbohydrate (e.g., food grade starch); and (d) a third blend of organisms capable of degrading the organic compound. The degrading of the organic compound by the third blend of organisms breaks the complex carbohydrate into smaller molecules that are utilized by the microorganisms of at least one of the first and second bioremediation materials during the degrading of the hydrocarbons and the halogenated compounds. The first bioremediation composition typically includes activated carbon capable of adsorbing the hydrocarbons and the halogenated compounds.