[High Efficiency Removal of 1,2-Dichloroethane from Groundwater by Microscale Zero-valent Iron Combined with...

In order to explore the degradation mechanism of 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCA), which is one of the refractory saturated chlorinated hydrocarbons, the groundwater and aquifer soil from a chlorinated hydrocarbon contaminated site in Beijing were collected to carry out microcosm experiments under anaerobic conditions using zero-valent iron (ZVI) coupled with biological action. The removal rate of 1,2-DCA under different conditions was investigated by adding a composite agent consisting of micron zero-valent iron (mZVI), a biological carbon source, and a few nutrients. Changes of the groundwater physical and chemical parameters were monitored. The results showed that, when the dosage of the composite agent reached 3%, the concentration of 1,2-dichloroethane could be reduced to below the detection limit within 15 days. Neutral pH and the presence of SO₄^2- were more conducive to the dechlorination of 1,2-DCA. After 30 days, an obvious increase in the ethene concentration was detected (0.17-0.52 mg·L^-1) and no significant vinyl chloride, chloroethane, or ethane was observed in the microcosms, illustrating that the dihaloelimination was the main degradation pathway of 1,2-DCA in the system. In addition, the groundwater could maintain a low oxidation-reduction potential (-100 to -300 mV), dissolved oxygen (<0.5 mg·L^-1), and a suitable pH value (6.5-7.5) for a long time under the synergy of mZVI and a biological carbon source. This was beneficial to the activity of anaerobic microorganisms and to the dechlorination reaction.