Preferential flow path development and its influence on long-term PRB performance: column study

The operating life of an Fe0-based permeable reactive barrier (PRB) is limited due to chemical reactions of Fe0 in groundwater. The relative contributions from mineral precipitation, gas production, and microbial activity to the degradation of PRB performance have been uncertain. In this controlled field study, nitrate-rich, site groundwater was treated by Fe0 in large-volume, flow-through columns to monitor the changes in chemical and hydraulic parameters over time. Tracer tests showed a close relationship between hydraulic residence time and pH measurements. The ionic profiles suggest that mineral precipitation and accumulation is the primary mechanism for pore clogging around the inlet of the column. Accumulated N2 gas generated by biotic processes also affected the hydraulics although the effects were secondary to that of mineral precipitation. Quantitative estimates indicate a porosity reduction of up to 45.3% near the column inlet over 72 days of operation under accelerated flow conditions. According to this study, preferential flow through a PRB at a site with similar groundwater chemistry should be detected over 1 year of operation. During the early operation of a PRB, pH is a key indicator for monitoring the change in hydraulic residence time resulting from heterogeneity development. If the surrounding native material is more conductive than the clogged Fe-media, groundwater bypass may render the PRB ineffective for treating contaminated groundwater.