Solution

Problem 1 Question 1.1: The main degradation products are TCE, cis-DCE (for the biological pathway, low concentrations of the DCE isomers will be formed as well), VC, ethylene, ethane, carbon dioxide, chloride and water. A right answer should include at least 5 of the 8 compounds mentioned! Please note that carbon dioxide is only produced if ethane/ethane is degraded by oxidation.

Question 1.2: The reaction schemes for the consumption of ethanol are used. Example: Molecular weight of ethanol is 46 g/mol Molecular weight of oxygen is 32 g/mol 1 mol of ethanol reacts with 3 mol of oxygen 46 mg of ethanol reacts with 96 mg of oxygen The conversion factor will be 0.472 mg ethanol/mg oxygen. All factors are listed in Table 1.3
Table 1.3. Quantification of the needed amount of ethanol to reduce the electron acceptors listed in Table 1.1. The conversion factor is calculated from the stoichoimetri in Table 1.2. Depletion of electron acceptors 1.7 31 59 Conversion factor 0.48 mg ethanol/mg O2 0.31 mg ethanol/mg NO30.32 mg ethanol/mg SO4-Amount pr. l of groundwater 0.816 mg ethanol 9.61 mg ethanol 18.88 mg/ethanol 29..31 mg/ethanol

O2 NO3 SO42 Sum

There is 350 l of groundwater pr. m3of aquifer. The total mass of ethanol pr. m3 will be: 350 l * Sum = 350 * 29.31 mg ethanol/l = 10.257 mg = 10.3 g pr. m3

Question 1.3: The conversion factor for oxidised iron is 0.0697g ethanol/g Fe3+. The amount of oxidised Fe3+ is 0.8 g/kg. The total amount of oxidised iron equals:

0.8 g/kg * 1740 kg pr. m3 = 1392 g pr. m3 The total amount of ethanol for reduction of iron is: 1392 g Fe3+ pr. m3 * 0.07 g ethanol/g Fe3+ = 97.4 g ethanol pr. m3 Total mass of ethanol pr. m3 = 10.3 + 97.4 = 107.7 g The needed mass of ethanol for reducing iron is larger than the amount needed for reduction the dissolved electron acceptors. This makes it critical to incorporate solid iron in the evaluation of the need for substrate. However, it is uncertain how large a fraction of the extractable Fe3+ that will be available for microbial iron reduction.

Question 1.4: There is no difference in groundwater quality between inside and outside the plume. Chlorinated solvents are not consuming electron acceptors. The redox conditions are aerobic. There is a quite low content of oxygen, but no signs of nitrate-, manganese-, iron- or sulfate-reduction anywhere. All reduced species are only present in insignificant concentrations. Anaerobic dechlorination is not taking place under aerobic conditions so the absence of anaerobic dechlorination is expected.