The present disclosure provides a method of preparing a carbonaceous material capable of fixing arsenic and an application thereof. Through biomass pretreatment, biomass pyrolysis and arsenite fixation, a biochar activated by potassium carbonate and an arsenic-containing wastewater containing sulfur-containing substances are mixed and deoxidized, and an anaerobic culture is carried out, to fix arsenic by the biochar activated by potassium carbonate. The present disclosure solves the problems that arsenic is released from the soil and groundwater under anaerobic conditions, the ability of conventional passivating agents to fix arsenic under anaerobic conditions is weakened, and the conventional carbonaceous materials not only cannot fix arsenic, but also accelerate the release of anaerobic arsenic.

Methods, systems, and compounds for degrading chlorinated compounds in water. A facile aqueous-based surface treatment of zero-valent iron is provided to increase the reactivity of a zero-valent iron material for degrading chlorinated compounds in the water without the use of a noble metal catalyst. Such a facile aqueous-based surface treatment can be implemented as a surface sulfidation pre-treatment of iron to increase its reactivity towards chlorinated contaminants in water. The disclosed facile aqueous-based surface treatment increases reactivity utilizing sulfur compounds for use in the degradation of the chlorinated compounds in the water.

The present invention is directed to a method of oxidizing an organic compound present in soil, groundwater, process water or wastewater comprising contacting such organic compound with a persulfate and an organic acid selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, formic acid, oxalic acid, lactic acid and citric acid, wherein the molar ratio of such organic acid to persulfate is between 1:100 and 3:1.

The present invention is directed to a method of oxidizing an organic compound present in soil, groundwater, process water or wastewater comprising contacting such organic compound with a persulfate and an organic acid selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, formic acid, oxalic acid, lactic acid and citric acid, wherein the molar ratio of such organic acid to persulfate is between 1:100 and 3:1.

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.

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 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.

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.