Rescuing Fe0 remediation research from its systemic flaws

The well-accepted assumption of metallic iron (Fe0) acting as electron donor for environmental remediation has created an unstable domain of knowledge for the past 23 years. This assumption is discouraging some outstanding and prospective scientists from correctly interpreting their experimental results. Such a situation is a recipe for long-term decline. The critical situation cannot be solved with simplistic approaches. It is now imperative to develop an understanding to defend the difficulties of this assumption and re-orient Fe0 mediated remediation research as a whole.Open-Access-Publikationsfonds 201

The Suitability of Pozzolan as Admixing Aggregate for Fe0-Based Filters

Continuous gravity-fed column experiments using the methylene blue (MB) discoloration method were performed to characterize the suitability of a pozzolan (PZ) specimen as alternative admixing aggregate for metallic iron filters (Fe0-filters). Investigated systems were: (i) pure sand, (ii) pure PZ, (iii) pure Fe0, (iv) Fe0/sand, (v) Fe0/PZ, and (vi) Fe0/sand/PZ. The volumetric proportion of Fe0 was 25%. The volumetric proportions of the Fe0/sand/PZ system was 25/45/30. The initial MB concentration was 2.0 mg L1, 6.0 g of Fe0 was used, and the experiments lasted for 46 days. The individual systems were fed with 3.9 to 8.4 L (7.80 to 16.69 mg of MB) and were characterized by the time-dependent changes of: (i) the pH value, (ii) the iron breakthrough, (iii) the MB breakthrough, and (iv) the hydraulic conductivity. Results showed that the Fe0/sand/PZ system was the most efficient. This ternary system was also the most permeable and therefore the most sustainable. The suitability of MB as a powerful operative indicator for the characterization of processes in the Fe0/H2O system was confirmed. The tested PZ is recommended as an alternative material for efficient but sustainable Fe0 filters.Open-Access-Publikationsfonds 201