Case Study:

Urban Mall Parking Lot Groundwater Remediation: ISCO Treatment for Copper Contamination

Confidential Municipality - Southern Alberta Risk Based In-Situ Chemical Oxidation

A risk-based in-situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) remediation is ongoing at an urban mall parking lot in Southern Alberta to address a large copper plume in 1,000 m³ of impacted groundwater, with a freshwater receptor located down-gradient. Due to infrastructure constraints, a 5-meter radius injection program using hydrogen peroxide was implemented to catalyze a sequestration reaction and precipitate dissolved copper, forming a permeable reactive barrier to prevent further migration. Over two months, 1 million liters of blended hydrogen peroxide and reagents were injected using TRIUM’s ChemOx® process, ensuring long-term effectiveness with a reactive barrier lasting approximately five years. The remediation has been effective at both the source zone and down-gradient areas, with ongoing injections near the water receptor, achieving results without disrupting shopping center operations.

Project Details:

Location:

Confidential Municipality - Southern Alberta

Site:

Urban Mall Parking Lot

Date:

2019
to
to
Present

Contaminant of Concern:

Copper

Impacted Media and Volume:

1,000 m3 of impacted groundwater

Project Tasks:

In-line dilution system, batch mixing, injection, field monitoring, subcontractor management

The Problem:

Historical operations in the area had impacted the soil and groundwater creating a large copper plume. Shopping centre infrastructure currently in place limited the remedial strategies available. Soil comprised of sandy gravel and the target treatment zone was fully saturated. Down-gradient of the source plume is a fresh water receptor.

The Approach:

Injection program based on 5 meter radius of influence using hydrogen peroxide to catalyze a sequestration reaction and precipitation of dissolved copper. Establish health and safety protocol and site logistics for handling oxidizer and reagents.

Injected approximately 1 million litres of blended hydrogen peroxide and reagents over a 2 month period. Blending is site-specific following TRIUM’s ChemOx® process and requirements for precipitation of copper. Injections were conducted to create a permeable reactive barrier down-gradient of the source zone and adjacent to a water body receptor.

The Results:

  • Effective application at the source zone and down-gradient area. Injections are on-going in down-gradient and water body receptor area
  • Very short timeframe of treatment but long lasting reactive barrier (approximately 5 years)
  • No operational shutdowns required at the shopping centre
Contact Trium Environmental

Speak with Our Experts

Contact Us

More Case Studies