Subsurface remediation using nanoscale zero valent iron (nZVI) is a promising in-situ
technology that can convert groundwater contaminants into non-toxic
compounds. Despite its promising characteristics, field scale implementation of
nZVI technology has faced major challenges due to poor subsurface mobility and
limited longevity, all leading to smaller nZVI travel distance. How far nZVI travels
in the subsurface is an important parameter as it influences the amount of
contaminants that could be reached and thereby remediated.
This thesis examined various factors (viscosity, groundwater velocity,
injection flux, soil heterogeneity, lag period) on nZVI travel distance through a
numerical model and by performing a statistical analysis which revealed that
viscosity has a statistically significant impact on nZVI travel distance while the
impact of groundwater velocity and injection flux are statistically insignificant. The
model also revealed that soil heterogeneity plays an important factor and that
longer nZVI injection periods are better for nZVI deployment in the field