Treat ammonia contaminated groundwater
Treat ammonia contaminated groundwater
(OP)
I am trying to come up with ideas for treating (ideally in-situ) a large urea spill. The groundwater has a concentration of 5000mg/L to 15,000mg/L ammonia. One consideration is using vinegar to oxidize the ammonia. Do any of you have experience with this type of treatment? If so, was it successful? Were there air issues?
What about breakpoint chlorination? I assume that would require pump & treat.
Thanks,
What about breakpoint chlorination? I assume that would require pump & treat.
Thanks,





RE: Treat ammonia contaminated groundwater
What is the depth to the groundwater?
What factors on the surface impact, such as under a building, or in a field?
RE: Treat ammonia contaminated groundwater
Ammonia can also be stripped from water. However, ammonia is considered in some areas to be an air toxic.
Breakpoint chlorination will also work, but it is probably not feasible with the high concentrations of ammonaia that you have. Chlorination will probably not work insitu either.
RE: Treat ammonia contaminated groundwater
I'd stay away from the vinegar as an organic substrate source because biologically-mediated nitrifcation will oxidize the urea nitrogen to nitrites and nitrates, which will acidify the system. You area, after all, generating nitrous and nitric acid.
Nitrifying bacteria are highly sensitive stresses in their environmental (e.g., rapid changes in pH, etc.), so monitor the system like a hawk.