Chemically oxidizing a wide range of targeted contaminants in soils, sludges, groundwater, process water, and wastewater and assisting in the eventual (over time) biological attenuation of the contaminants utilizing persulfates activated by trivalent metals, such as ferric iron. The use of trivalent metal activated persulfate results in a chemical oxidation process that yields degradation compounds which facilitate further attenuation via biological processes.

Microbial reactors are provided for ammonium oxidation. Briefly, a reactor comprises a medium including an ammonium component and a Feammox bacterium and/or enzyme(s) thereof capable of oxidizing ammonium with electron transfer to an anode in contact with the medium. As described further herein, use of the anode as an electron acceptor can mitigate or overcome the disadvantages associated Fe(III) acceptor. In some embodiments, for example, ammonium oxidation in the reactor can proceed in the absence of Fe(III) and/or other metal compounds operable to function as an electron acceptor in the medium. Moreover, the medium may further comprise one more contaminants in addition to the ammonium component.

Systems and methods for performing bioremediation using the Geobacillus sp. bacterial strain are provided which are capable of effectively degrading Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and efficiently degrading other ring-based organic contaminants. The exemplary bioremediation methods include steps for administering an effective, degrading amount of the bacteria to soil containing excess amounts of BaP and incubating the bacteria administered to the soil at a given temperature and for a duration that are suitable for promoting incubation and reducing and the concentration of BaP below a maximum concentration, as might be specified by a regulatory body.

A method for enhancing in situ bioremediation of a volume containing groundwater and a quantity of contaminant, the method comprising the steps of: quantifying the mass of the contaminant; and amending the volume by adding thereto a compound that provides a source of NO.sub.3.sup.−. The method is characterized in that the compound is added such that the mass of the NO.sub.3.sup.− source is provided at the ratio of about 1 mg NO.sub.3.sup.− per 0.21 mg contaminant. The contaminant can be BTEX or petroleum-related VOC.

A method and combination for increasing the rate of radioisotope decontamination in a layer of soil beneath the ground surface, as well as in low growing plants on the ground surface, in which an array of elongated tubular members with defined lengthwise passageways, acting as a passive system, are inserted into vertical holes drilled into the ground. The elongated tubular members are slotted along their lengths to capture positrons emitted into the soil and direct the flow of the captured positrons into the soil layer

Submersible isolation enclosure apparatus constructed of flexible, water resistant to water proof fabric or sheeting for enclosing and isolating selected areas of water bottom and water volume from surrounding water with access to the isolated bottom area exposed within a Base Member through one or more closed wall, tubular Access Member(s) connected to the Base Member and accessible from the water surface. Center-radial and perimeter portions of the Base Member fitted with attachment points and one or more tubular, closed wall Sleeve Members to allow for use of floatation, internal supporting rods or piping, and weights, to assist in the movement, positioning, shaping and securing of the apparatus to the selected water bottom area. Flexible fabric and weighting system allows the lower perimeter of the Base Member to conform to bottom structure.

A string of reactant chambers configured for inserting a reactant into each reactant chamber, in the string of reactant chambers, while maintaining the reactant chamber being filled in the string of reactant chambers is provided. The string of reactant chambers has a first reactant chamber, a second reactant chamber, and a system configured to maintain the reactant chamber being filled in the string of reactant chambers. The system has a first removable end cap on each reactant chamber and a coupler on each reactant chamber configured for the removal of the first removable end cap and maintaining the reactant chamber in the string of reactant chambers. A process for charging a reactant chamber is also presently disclosed.

Disclosed is a method for installing a groundwater monitoring well inside a permeable reactive barrier (PRB) trench including excavating a PRB trench, installing a trench side-wall support, positioning a monitoring well borehole, installing an outer installation casing for pre-burying the monitoring well, installing a monitoring well positioning bracket, installing a monitoring well casing, installing monitoring well filter packs and seal materials, filling the trench with PRB media and capping with a covering soil layer, removing the outer installation casing, removing the trench side-wall support, completing the monitoring well with a wellhead, and conducting well development. This method avoids the complex procedure of re-drilling a borehole within the PRB media following the completion of PRB construction and media filling, assures that monitoring well installation protocols are followed and high quality and stable operation is achieved, and serves for groundwater monitoring to support the implementation and efficacy evaluation of the PRB technology.

Compositions and methods for treating contaminated soil and/or ground water in situ. The compositions and methods comprise stabilized forms of colloidal activated carbon that are used to quickly sorb contaminants. Unlike traditional activated carbon in granular or powder form, the compounds and methods of the present invention are operative to transport particulate activated carbon through a matrix of soil and groundwater upon application by injection, gravity feed, or percolation into soil and groundwater, which in turn decontaminate groundwater in place without the cost or disruption associated with digging the contaminated soil and groundwater out of the ground for on-site purification or disposal at a hazardous waste landfill.

Embodiments of the invention provide for treating arsenic contaminants in an in situ environment. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a stabilized oxidizing agent can be prepared, for instance a stabilized liquid hydrogen peroxide agent, as can an aqueous chelated iron solution. Both the stabilized oxidizing agent and the aqueous chelated iron solution can be alternately introduced into the in situ environment contaminated with arsenic by way of alternate injection screens into the in situ environment so as to remediate the arsenic contamination of the in situ environment.