Application of slow-release materials for in situ and passive remediation of contaminated groundwater

Abstract Groundwater is a valuable water resource on earth, and thus, groundwater contamination warrants much more attention. Currently, groundwater contamination is a widespread environmental problem, and high concentrations of various organic/inorganic contaminants have been detected in groundwater at many locations in developing and developed countries worldwide. From a practical and engineering point of view, contaminated groundwater remediation needs to be focused on the prevention of dissolved contaminants migration because it is usually time-consuming and costly for residual nonaqueous-phase liquid delineation and removal. Therefore, more economic approaches are desirable to provide for a long-term control of contaminated groundwater. One cost-effective and practical approach is the application of slow-release materials for a long-term plume containment and contaminant degradation/removal. Because SRM application for groundwater remediation is an in situ and passive technology, the remediation cost can be notably reduced with an acceptable remediation efficiency. Different innovative SRMs have been developed to remediate chlorinated solvents, petroleum hydrocarbons, and heavy-metal-contaminated sites. The developed SRM products can be applied to reduce the contaminant concentrations and environmental risks. From the sustainable development perspective, the SRM system is an environmental-friendly and green remediation technology with reduced carbon emissions during site cleanup.