Preventive Measures and

Remedial Techniques For

Groundwater Contamination
By: Dr. Mohamed Ismail S.A Program Manager
Co-Authors: Mr. Najam Ul Hassan AQ/MET Section Head (A)
Dr. Maqbool Ahmad Water & Waste Section Head

RGME – Royal Commission Environmental Project

Contents
Introduction
Importance of Groundwater
Sources of Groundwater Contamination
Prevention from Groundwater Pollution
Participation of Industries and Community
Groundwater Remediation
Conventional and Innovative Remediation Techniques
Typical Groundwater Contaminants
Practical Remediation Technologies
Royal Commission Environmental Regulations for
Groundwater Prevention
Conclusion
Introduction
Groundwater is water present below the ground surface that saturates the
pore space in the subsurface.
At least 50% of the world population depends on groundwater as a source of
drinking water.
Other uses of groundwater includes Irrigation of crops, Industrial uses etc.
Groundwater is a part of natural water cycle therefore, it can spread
throughout the cycle and if contaminated, can cause damage to other entities
( Sea life, lakes, human health etc)
Groundwater can be polluted / contaminated as a result of HUMAN activity
and Natural conditions.
Contaminations found in the groundwater cover a broad range of physical,
chemical (Organic & Inorganic), bacteriological and radioactive parameters.
 Sources of Groundwater Pollution

Leaking Fuel and Chemical Tanks

Improper use of contaminated

water

Industrial Chemical spills

Industrial Emissions

Extensive use of Pesticides, Badly Managed Landfill

Herbicides and fertilizers
Drainage of house hold chemicals
 Prevention of Groundwater Contamination

Once Groundwater gets contaminated, it may be difficult and expensive to clean

it up, therefore,

“The best way to deal with groundwater

contamination is not to contaminate it in
the first place ”
 Prevention of Groundwater Contamination

Participation of Industries:
•Minimize use of Toxic / Hazardous Raw Materials

•Maintain Integrity of the Storage Tanks, Pipelines, surface impoundments

•Adopt Good Engineering Practices for selecting proper material for tanks and
pipes.

•Implement monitoring programs: Leak Detection and repair program, spill

detection, spill control, emergency response plan etc.

•Manage Properly: Waste materials, their transport and disposal.

•Install Monitoring Wells

•Monitor Periodically: Groundwater quality

 Prevention of Groundwater Contamination
Participation of Community:
•Minimize use of house hold chemicals containing Hazardous substances.
•Avoid draining chemicals, motor oil, insecticides in community areas.

•Reduce pesticide application

•Use proper procedures for handling chemicals (Paints, Pesticides, Insecticides,

polishing materials, cleaning chemicals and detergents).

•Immediately clean any spills and report any leakages to concerned department.
 Groundwater Remediation
Groundwater remediation is the process that is used to remove pollution from groundwater.
Pollutants and contaminants can be removed from groundwater by applying various
techniques thereby making the groundwater safe for use.
Groundwater remediation techniques are mainly divided into two technologies: Ex-Situ
Technology and In-Situ Technology

Ex-Situ Technology involves treatment of groundwater by de-watering

the polluted aquifer (pumping out), then treating the water on surface by
Physical, chemical or biological technology and finally re-injecting the treated
water to the aquifer.

In-Situ Technology involves treatment of groundwater within the

aquifer (in the sub-surface) by using thermal, chemical and biological
treatment technology.
 Remediation Techniques
Ex-Situ Technology:
Extraction of groundwater from aquifer , treat above ground. and return the treated water to
the aquifer. Extraction is done by pumping groundwater from the well or trench and treat
them with a variety of techniques such as :
Stream stripping
Involves treatment by introducing steam which extract the contaminants from the pumped
out groundwater. The extracted steam (along with contaminants can be recovered from the
condensate or treated further by incineration.
Oxygen Sparging
Involves introduction of oxidizing/reducing agents ( O3, H2O2, Hypochlorite) to
chemically convert the toxic contaminants to less toxic compounds.
Bioremediation
Involves treatment of pumped up groundwater by air (biodegradation) with careful control
of moisture, heat nutrients, oxygen and pH.
Carbon Adsorption
Involves passing the contaminated pumped up groundwater through activated carbon
column in which contaminants gets adsorbed.
Remediation Techniques
Ex-Situ Technology
 Remediation Techniques
In-Situ Remediation Technology:
Involves treatment of groundwater (in-place) without extracting the water from aquifer. There are several
treatment techniques used for in-situ groundwater treatment such as:
Air Sparging:
Involves the injection of contaminant-free air into the subsurface saturated zone, enabling a phase transfer of
hydrocarbons from a dissolved state to a vapor phase.
Bioremediation:
Involves injection of oxygen to enhance the biodegradation. This treatment also combines injection of degrading
bacteria and nutrients into aquifer to stimulate biodegradation.
In-well air stripping:
Involves injection of air in double screened well, lifting the water up the well and force it out in upper screen.
VOCs in the contaminated water are transferred from dissolved phase to vapor phase in air bubbles and drawn
off and treated.
Chemical Oxidation:
Involves Reduction-Oxidation reactions that chemically converts hazardous contaminants to less toxic
compounds. Cyanide oxidation and de-chlorination are the typical examples of chemical oxidation.
Thermal Treatment:
Involves increase in temperature of the source zone to increase the mobility of the pollutants. The mobility
facilitate removal of pollutants and can also results in In-Situ destruction of contaminants.
Phythoremediation
It involves the use of macroscopic plants to destroy, remove, immobilize and treat contaminants. This
process does not use microorganisms.
 Remediation Techniques
In-Situ Bioremediation
 Selection of Remedial Technology
The selection of the remedial technology depends upon several
parameters such as:
Contaminant Profile:
Types of compounds ( DNAPL, LNAPL, Ammonia, Virus, Bacteria)
Quantity and Solubility ( Solubility in Water)
Toxicity and volatility ( VOCs , SVOCs, Metals, etc)
Biodegradability

Aquifer Profile:
Soil Type (permeability, homogeneity, chemistry, confined or open, etc)
Groundwater Flow direction
Water Table location
Recharge location ( seasonal Rainfall)

Feasibility Profile:
Cost of technology
Time of completion
 Groundwater Contaminants
Several man made chemicals are referred to as Groundwater contaminants
because of their extensive use, accidental spills and leaks, mismanagement and
illegal dumping. Some of the popular contaminants are the following:

DNAPL (Dense Non Aqueous Phase Liquids )

LNAPL (Light Non Aqueous Phase Liquids)

Inorganic Chemicals ( Ammonia, Cyanide, Fluoride)

Metals

Bacteria and Viruses

 Groundwater Contaminants
DNAPL :
Dense Non Aqueous Phase Liquids are organic compounds heavier than water
and having less absolute solubility. These compounds include chlorinated
solvents (EDC) and halogenated aromatics (TCB)
DNAPLs migrate very fast through the soil formation and reach water table
because of their high density and low viscosity. They sink steeply to the bottom
of the aquifer till they reach the impermeable bed rock.
Treatment of DNAPL
The following types of technologies are increasingly being used to treat DNAPLs:

 In situ thermal treatment

 In situ chemical oxidation
 Surfactant/co-solvent flushing
 In situ bioremediation
Ground water extraction (P&T or recirculation)
 Excavation
Containment (Engineered caps and slurry walls).
DNAPL Dense Non Aqueous Phase Liquid Migration Pattern
 Groundwater Contaminants
LNAPL
Light Non Aqueous Phase Liquids are organic compounds lighter than water and
having low solubility. These liquids include Gasoline, fuel oil and other
petroleum products.
LNAPL Remediation:
Remediation may require the use of more than one technology.
It is likely that several remediation techniques, used in series and/or parallel
applications, will be required for maximum contaminant removal.
This collaborative effort may be referred to as a treatment train approach. A
conceptual example of a treatment train which might be effective at an LNAPL
site includes:
Pump and Treat for mobile LNAPL removal followed by vapor extraction for
removal of residual LNAPL .

Additional technologies such as bioremediation might be used to further

reduce contaminant concentrations.
LNAPL Light Non Aqueous Phase Liquid Migration Pattern
 Typical Groundwater Contaminants And Their Treatment Options

Contaminant Main Source Treatment Technology

Degreasing of Metal and Electronic parts, •Pump and Treat
Trichloroethylene Extract for oil and waxes, fumigant, carries in •Activated Carbon
paints and adhesives •Thermal and Biological
(TCE)

MTBE can be released to groundwater by •Air Sparging

leaking underground storage tanks and •In-Situ oxidation ( H2O2 and Fe)
piping, atmospheric deposition, spills during •Bioremediation/Bioaugmentation
MTBE transportation, and leaks at refineries •Pump and Treat.

From EDC and VCM Plants, storage tanks, •In-situ Bioremediation.

EDC (DNAPL) pipelines etc.

Gasoline and other petroleum fuels tanks, •In-situ Bioremediation

Gasoline (LNAPL) petrol stations, storage tanks and pipelines. •Vapor extraction

Ammonia Storage Tanks, Landfill leaks, •Pump and Treat

Waste stockpile, etc. •Combination of Air Stripping,
Ammonia Nitrification, Ion Exchange.
 Treatment of EDC (Ethylene Dichloride) & Chloroform

Groundwater contaminated by Ethylene Dichloride and Chloroform can be treated

through in-situ bio remediation by using certain types of Enzymes under proper
conversion parameters.
This In-Situ process is applicable to both fresh and brackish waters.
50 to 80 percent biodegradation can be achieved by injecting Enzymes in the
aquifer within 5 to 10weeks.
Applicability:
EDC (1.3 g/cc), Chloroform (1.5 g/cc) , Chlorobenzene, Vinyl Chloride, VOCs.
Limitations:
Permeability of the ground
Aquifer Matrix
Practical Execution
This In-Situ Bio remediation is practically implemented by two industrial facilities
in Jubail to reduce EDC and other chlorinated compounds from the groundwater.
 Treatment of MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether )

MTBE is broadly used as Gasoline additive and

is one of the popular contaminant of the
groundwater.
The solubility in water is as high as 4.3%
comparing to Solubility of benzene and toluene
0.18% and 0.05% respectively.
MTBE is very mobile and can spread to very
large subsurface area very quickly.

Groundwater contaminated with MTBE can be treated by :

In-Situ Oxidation
Bioremediation (Enhanced by Oxygen and Nutrients injection)
Pump and Treat by Air Stripping & Activated Carbon Adsorption
Combination of Catalytic Chemical Oxidation with UV Presence.
 Treatment of Ammonia
Ammonia is one of the major pollutants which contaminates groundwater. Ammonia
contamination could lead to Sea Water Pollution. Being Toxic to Aquatic Organism,
Remediation of Ammonia is very important.

US Department of Energy has successfully conducted pilot studies on the Innovative
Remedial Techniques on an Aquifer near Moab, Utah, USA. Which shows that
technologies are available for treating groundwater contaminated with high levels of
Ammonia to a safe level of 3 mg/L

These technologies includes:

Pump and Treat by Ammonia Stripping

Pump and Treat by Air Stripping and further Nitrification

Pump and Treat by Ion Exchange

Limitation: Needs pH Adjustments,

 RCER-2010 Royal Commission Environmental Regulation
on Groundwater Prevention
Royal Commission has always been concerned about Public Health and Environment
including Surface and Subsurface groundwater.

At Royal Commission Environmental Control Department(RC-EPCD), we believe in

Prevention from groundwater contamination as the very first rule of remediation.
Therefore, Royal Commission Environmental Regulation (RCER) has made it obligatory for
all industries to stringently follow RCER Groundwater Regulation such as:
At least 3 Groundwater Monitoring Wells in each industrial facility.

Periodical Monitoring Groundwater Quality.

Periodical Reports to RC.
Mandatory use of Impervious Liner (1.5 mm thick HDPE liners) for :
Tank foundations, Secondary Containments(Dikes) and Storm Water Pond
Storage Tank Regulations:
Spill Control Devices , Leak Detection and Overfill System
Containments and Double Walls, Material of Construction
 RCER-2010 Royal Commission Environmental Regulation
on Groundwater Prevention

Implementation of Leak Detection and Repair System to

ensure the integrity of the pipelines and components.
Separate Location for Landfills:
Inert Waste Non Hazardous Waste
Hazardous Industrial Wastes Sanitary Wastes.
Landfill Design
Double Liners Groundwater Monitoring wells Near Landfill
Leachate Collection System
Monitoring Groundwater Quality from 60 Monitoring Wells outside industrial
facilities in Jubail Industrial City.
Reviewing Groundwater Quality Reports submitted by Individual
Industries from over 500 Wells in the Jubail Industrial City.

Checking Quality of Groundwater used for Re-mineralization of

drinking water which is supplied in Royal Commission Area.
 Conclusion
1. Prevention from groundwater contamination is the
best Remedial Option.
2. Mostly, groundwater contaminants are of industrial origin.
3. Royal Commission is closely monitoring the quality of
Groundwater through out the Jubail Industrial City and also have
implemented strict regulation for the prevention of groundwater
pollution.
4. Environmental Awareness Programs Including groundwater
prevention should be Implemented for Community.
5. Innovative Technologies are available for the groundwater
remediation, for several common contaminants including EDC and
Other Chlorinated Compounds, MTBE and Ammonia.
Prevention Pays - Remedy Costs
and
The Prevention is in Our Hands

THANK YOU