In Situ Remediation of Passaic River Sediments Using Ultrasound and Ozone Nanobubbles

The Passaic River watershed drains approximately 2450 square kilometers of terrain. Heavy chemical use in the lower 12.875 kilometers of the Passaic River by industries such as heavy metal extraction from ore and production of pesticides and herbicides contributed towards the heavy contamination. USEPA proposed a $1.7 billion remediation plan that includes bank to bank dredging and capping. The current remediation plan is extremely expensive and comprises risks of resuspension of contaminants. The aim of the study is to use ultrasound and ozone nanobubbles to develop a remediation technology that will adhere to a variety of contaminants present in the river sediments. Laboratory experiments showed promising results indicating the possibility to use ozone nanobubbles and ultrasound to treat contaminated soil. The data obtained from the laboratory experiments will be used to develop a pilot scale study to identify the possibility of for possible field application.