In situ water and soil remediation method and system

A method for remediating a contaminated site comprising the steps of:

• introducing a first compound into a site containing ground water and soil having a hydrocarbon contaminant therein;
• permitting the first compound to diffuse through the site;
• introducing a second compound into the site, the second compound comprising an oxidizing agent reactable with the first compound to release a free radical;
• during the first and the second compound introducing steps, causing turbulence in the ground water to facilitate dispersion of the first and the second compound throughout the site;
• permitting the first and the second compounds to react to release a free radical;
• introducing a pH-adjusting compound into the site for optimizing the reaction between the first and the second compounds;
• and
• permitting the free radical to act upon a site contaminant to form an environmentally neutral species.

A method for controlling a Fenton-type reaction at a contaminated site comprising the steps of:

• introducing a Fenton reagent into a below-ground contaminated site;
• enhancing a diffusion of the Fenton reagent throughout the site;
• introducing an oxidizing agent into the site;
• enhancing a diffusion of the oxidizing agent throughout the site;
• permitting a Fenton reaction to occur, releasing a free radical;
• introducing a pH-adjusting compound into the site for optimizing the reaction between the Fenton reagent and the oxidizing agent;
• and
• permitting the free radical to act upon a contaminant to form environmentally neutral species.

A method for delivering a Fenton-type reaction to a contaminated below-ground site comprising the steps of:

• creating a portal into a contaminated site beneath a water table thereof, the contaminated site essentially free from prior chemical treatment;
• introducing a Fenton reagent into the portal;
• permitting the Fenton reagent to diffuse through the site;
• introducing an oxidizing agent into the portal;
• permitting a Fenton reaction to occur, releasing a free radical for acting upon contaminant bonds to create environmentally neutral species therefrom;
• and
• introducing a pH-adjusting agent into the site to optimize the Fenton reaction.

A system for remediating a contaminated site comprising:

• means for sequentially introducing a first and a second composition into a site containing ground water and soil having a hydrocarbon contaminant therein, the site essentially chemically untreated, the first and the second compositions comprising Fenton-type reactants;
• means for adjusting a pH of the site to optimize a Fenton reaction between the first and the second compositions;
• and
• means for introducing turbulence in the ground water, for facilitating a dispersion of the first and the second composition throughout the site and for enhancing a mixing thereof.

A remediation site for reducing a below-ground contaminant level, the site comprising:

• ground water and soil having been essentially chemically unpretreated;
• a contaminant plume having a hydrocarbon contaminant therein present in the ground water and the soil;
• means for sequentially introducing a first and a second composition into the contaminant plume, the first and the second compositions comprising Fenton-type reactants;
• means for introducing a pH-adjusting compound into the ground water and the soil;
• and
• means for introducing turbulence in the ground water, for facilitating a dispersion of the first and the second composition throughout the contaminant plume and for enhancing a mixing thereof.