Permeable Reactive Barriers

Paper Summary:

The paper notes that heavy metals pose devastating health risks to humans. The paper comments that methods for removing heavy metals from water has become the focus of the development of remediation technologies and that permeable reactive barriers (PRBs) are the latest technology to be investigated for a multitude of site applications. This technology appeals to the "green" side of groundwater remediation and represents the newest attempts at large scale, low-cost technology for heavy metals and a variety of other contaminants. PRB's are in situ methods for purifying ground water that has been contaminated with a variety of substances. The paper discusses the introduction of this system, its applications, advantages and disadvantages.

Outline:
Introduction
Case Studies
Advantages/Disadvantages
Issues That Could be Encountered with Full-Scale Implementation
Cost Analysis
Alternatives to Technology
Conclusion and Recommendations

From the Paper:

"Another key advantage is that it is highly customizable to the needs of the site. The configuration of the membrane can be modified to fit the hydrogeology of the site. The ability to customize PRBs makes it suitable for a number of sites where other technologies may be inappropriate. One of the key disadvantages of the technology is that it can take a long time before a reduction in contaminant will be noticed. This is particularly true where the natural water flow of the site is slow. There may be some species that are not cleaned by the system. The system must be maintained and repaired as needed. The technology is so new that no one knows how long the barrier will last before it has to be replaced."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bronstein, K. (2005). Permeable Reactive Barriers for Inorganic and Radionuclide Contamination. August 2005. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved March 5, 2008 from http://www.clu-in.org/download/studentpapers/bronsteinprbpaper.pdf
• Department of Defense (DoD) (2003). Permeable Reactive Barrier Longevity and Hydraulic Performance at Four DoD Sites. Retrieved March 5, 2008 from http://costperformance.org/profile.cfm?ID=347&CaseID=347
• USEPA (2002). Arsenic Treatment Technologies For Soil, Waste and Water. EPA - 542-R-02- 004. September 2002. Retrieved March 5, 2008 from http://www.epa.gov/tio/download/remed/542r02004/arsenic_report.pdf
• USEPA (2008). Permeable Reactive Barriers. Retrieved March 5, 2008 from http://www.epa.gov/ada/topics/prb.html

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