Under U.S. Air Force and Navy funding, CDM developed and field-tested a natural attenuation test kit that includes two analytical technologies to monitor critical natural attenuation factors-dissolved hydrogen (DH) and bioavailable ferric iron (Fe III). Powered by a 12-VDC outlet, and using an innovative semiconductor chemical sensor and built-in catalysts and adsorbents, the self-contained DH analyzer is the first field-portable technology that automatically quantifies groundwater DH-an important indicator of the specific anaerobic microbial process responsible for contaminant plume biodegradation. The Fe III bioassay is the first standardized, systematic method to quantify bioavailable Fe III, iron essential for iron-reducing bacteria to degrade organic contaminants.
Data from both technologies help validate natural attenuation's cleanup effectiveness, potentially saving millions of dollars over active remediation efforts.
This project won the 2001 Grand Award in Research and Development from the American Academy of Environmental Engineers.
CLIENT: U.S. Air Force/ U.S. Navy
LOCATION: Bellevue, Washington