2004 - 2008 Remediation of explosives and solvents at the Nebraska Ordnance Plant Superfund site at Mead, Nebraska (funded by Environmental Protection Agency).

The military productions during World War II and the Korean War lead to groundwater contamination. One of the explosives, RDX is poorly treatable by pump-and-treat technologies. Current annual costs of cleaning contaminated aquifer are about $800,000/year with an estimated treatment time of 125 years. Instead, we attempt to oxidize RDX in-situ. Our group led by Steve Comfort, SNR injected 60 m³ of oxidant NaMnO₄ spiked with a bromide tracer through recirculatory flow system. This study utilizes single-borehole techniques for aquifer characterization, multi-level slug tests in particular. Currently, we are analyzing plume movement using monitoring well network and direct push data and investigate effects of RDX oxidation.

Publications:

Halihan, T., J. Albano, S.D. Comfort, V.A. Zlotnik, 2011, Electrical resisitivity imaging of a permanganate injection during in Situ treatment of RDX-contaminated ground water, Ground Water Monitoring & Remediation, published online: 16 AUG 2011, DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-6592.2011.01361.x

Albano, J., Comfort, S. D., Zlotnik, V., Halihan, T., Burbach, M., Chokejaroenrat, C., Onanong, S. and Clayton, W., 2010, In Situ Chemical Oxidation of RDX-Contaminated Groundwater with Permanganate at the Nebraska Ordnance Plant. Ground Water Monitoring & Remediation, 30: 96-106. doi: 10.1111/j.1745-6592.2010.01295.x

Bomb Manufacturing	Bomb Storage
Extraction-Injection-System Design	Aquifer Characterization with Geoprobe
Aquifer Characterization – Multi-level Slug Test	Permanganate for Injection
Day before Injection : S. Comfort, W. Clayton, V. Zlotnik, and J. Albano at the site	Recirculation Control System
Surface Components of Recirculation Assembly with Safety Fence and Electrical Resistivity Lines	Monitoring Plume Advancement