OPTIMIZATION OF FENTON-BASED TRICHLOROETHYLENE DECONTAMINATION BASED ON THE GEOCHEMICAL CONDITIONS OF THE PADUCAH GASEOUS DIFFUSION PLANT

Fenton-based oxidative dechlorination is an important and well-studied mechanism for the treatment of chlorinated organic contaminants. This study explores Fenton-based dechlorination of trichloroethylene (TCE) resulting from uranium enrichment activities at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PGDP), an EPA Superfund site in Paducah, Kentucky. An optimized reagent ratio of TCE: Chelating Agent: Iron : Hydrogen Peroxide has been developed based on the local geochemical conditions of the PGDP through extensive experimentation using site groundwater and groundrock. The degree of dependence of dechlorination on groundwater geochemistry is significant; this study demonstrates that Fenton optimization based on localized geochemical conditions can be an important component of targeted remediation efforts.