EFFICACY OF SLOW-RELEASE PERMANGANATE GEL IN TREATING TRICHLOROETHYLENE: LARGE FLOW-TANK TEST

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a common organic pollutant in groundwater. Its high density and low solubility allow it to sink and accumulate above impermeable layers, forming long-term pollution reservoirs. Slow-release permanganate gel (SRP-G) has been investigated as a novel in-situ chemical oxidation technique to treat large and dilute dissolved plumes of TCE. The study evaluates the spreading, gelation, and release dynamics and remedial efficiencies of SRP-G using a flow tank (122 cm x 10 cm × 45 cm) filled with multi-layered glass bead matrices to replicate natural aquifer heterogeneity. Data analysis revealed a high correlation between electric conductance (EC) peaks and permanganate (MnO₄^-) concentrations, indicating that permeability variations significantly affected oxidant migration, and confirmed SRP-G could provide sustained availability of MnO₄^- for treatment of TCE in saturated heterogeneous media.