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Remediation of Trichloroethylene-Contaminated Groundwater by Sulfide-Modified Nanoscale Zero-Valent Iron Supported on Biochar: Investigation of Critical Factors

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Abstract

This study investigated the feasibility and mechanism of sulfide-modified nanoscale zero-valent iron supported on biochar (S-nZVI@BC) for the removal of TCE in the scenario of groundwater remediation. The effects of some critical factors, including pyrolysis temperature of biochar, mass ratio of S-nZVI to BC, initial pH, typical groundwater compositions, co-contaminants, and particle aging time, on the TCE removal were examined. The results revealed that the different pyrolysis temperatures could change physicochemical properties of BC, which influenced the TCE adsorption and degradation by S-nZVI@BC. The mass ratio of S-nZVI to BC could determine the extent of adsorption and degradation of TCE. The total removal of TCE was not significantly influenced by the initial pH (3.0–9.0), but the degradation of TCE was enhanced at higher pH. Notably, the typical anions (SO42−, HCO3−, and HPO42−), humic acid, and co-contaminants (Cr(VI) and NO3−) in groundwater all slightly influenced the total removal of TCE, but markedly inhibited its degradation. Additionally, after exposure to air over different times (5 days, 10 days, 20 days, and 30 days), the reactivity of S-nZVI@BC composites was apparently decreased due to surface passivation. Nevertheless, the aged S-nZVI@BC composites still maintained relative high removal and degradation of TCE when the reaction time prolonged. Overall, the results showed that the S-nZVI@BC, combining the high adsorption capacity of BC and the high reductive capacity of S-nZVI, had a much better performance than the single S-nZVI or BC, suggesting that S-nZVI@BC is one promising material for the remediation of TCE-contaminated groundwater.

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Funding

This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51879100).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, Hunan, China

    Jie Chen, Haoran Dong, Ran Tian, Rui Li & Qianqian Xie

  2. Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, 410082, Hunan, China

    Jie Chen, Haoran Dong, Ran Tian, Rui Li & Qianqian Xie

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  1. Jie Chen
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Correspondence to Haoran Dong.

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Chen, J., Dong, H., Tian, R. et al. Remediation of Trichloroethylene-Contaminated Groundwater by Sulfide-Modified Nanoscale Zero-Valent Iron Supported on Biochar: Investigation of Critical Factors. Water Air Soil Pollut 231, 432 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-020-04797-3

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