A chemical oxidation of hydrocarbon contaminated site is attempted
by using potassium permanganate (KMnO4) through injection into five hand
dug wells within a pilot test area one hectare. The aim is to improve the quality
of groundwater by degrading the soluble organic materials for further treatment
and polishing, while incorporating bioremediation. The Background characterisations
of groundwater and contaminant studied have been previously carried
out (Adekunte 2008; Balogun 2009). 50 g/litre of potassium permanganate
(KMnO4) was used as oxidant for the remediation of the Total Petroleum
Hydrocarbons (TPH) in the pilot test area, the delivery of oxidant was done by
gravity feed to the monitoring wells up to a height of 600 mm (2 ft) above water
levels. Oxidation study was carried out by observing the TPH for and other
parameters during the process of In-situ Chemical Oxidation (ISCO) remediation
for 30 weeks. A reduction in Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) ranging
from 92.28% to 99.86% was observed within the period. The maximum TPH
value of 512 ppm was observed at well W53, while the minimum observed TPH
at the end of thirty weeks was 0.7 ppm at the same well
