Chemical Oxidation Treatment for Semi Volatile Organic Compounds Contaminated Brownfield Site: A Case Study

Abstract

Brownfield, as a result of old and polluting industries being relocated away from urban areas, is an emerging problem since these contaminated lands pose and obstacle to urban and economic development. Semi Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs) are common contaminants found in brownfield sites that used to be manufacturing industries or agrochemical plants. Chemical oxidation has the potential to provide rapid, cost-effective treatment for brownfield contaminated with SVOCs. In this study, a pilot study of chemical oxidation was demonstrated for brownfield remediation in a specific site that used to be an agrochemical plant in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province. Preliminary site characterization suggested that the site was primarily contaminated by o-anisidine and its derivatives with trace amount of o-nitrochlorobenzene and other chemicals. The contaminants soil was pretreated and mixed with two selected oxidants at different soil-to-oxidant ratio. Soil samples were collected and analyzed before and after the treatments to compare the concentration changes of primary contaminants. The results showed that combinations of TA-1 oxidant and AOP-2 oxidant with several different ratios could provide 90% or more removal of targeted contaminants in two weeks, with an average cost of oxidants per ton of soil around 400 RMB. This is the first report for brownfield remediation case study in Zhejiang since “Clean Soil Action” was initiated by Zhejiang Provincial Government. The successful treatment for SVOCs contaminated brownfield in this study would promote chemical oxidation treatment to be employed in brownfield sites with similar situations in Zhejiang province in the future.