PNNL

Abstract

An ongoing treatability test is evaluating in situ biostimulation at the 100-D Area of the Hanford Site in Richland, Washington. This test is part of a strategy to couple multiple technologies to accelerate cleanup of hexavalent-chromium contaminated groundwater discharging into the Columbia River. A permeable chemical reducing barrier was previously applied as the primary treatment to prevent the chromium plume from reaching the river at concentrations that exceed regulatory standards. In situ biostimulation is intended to provide supplemental treatment upgradient of this chemical treatment barrier by reducing the concentration of the primary oxidizing species in groundwater (i.e., nitrate and dissolved oxygen) and chromium, thereby increasing the longevity of the chemical barrier and helping to diminish the chromium plume.