Abstract: Systems and methods of the present invention include a method for the treatment of drilling wastes and coal combustion residues, comprising combining at least a first drilling waste with coal combustion residues to form a paste, combining at least a second drilling waste with coal combustion residues to form a compactable fill, and placing the paste and the compactable fill in a landfill. Other embodiments include a method of treating drilling wastes and coal combustion residues, comprising combining at least one drilling waste with a coal combustion residue to form a paste. Further embodiments include containing the paste within at least one geotextile container. Still further embodiments include placing the geotextile container in a landfill.

Abstract: A process for insitu treatment of at least one contaminant in groundwater, the process comprises the steps of: installing a permeable reactive barrier in the flow path of the at least one contaminant, wherein the installation of the permeable reactive barrier comprises the steps of: boring a first borehole with a portion longitudinally extending; filling the longitudinally extending portion with a reactive material comprising a solid reactant configured to react with the at least one contaminant in the groundwater to produce at least one product having less hazardous characteristics than the at least one contaminant; boring a second longitudinally extending portion and filling the second longitudinally extending portion with the reactive material.

Abstract: Reactive gabion cage or grid structures, and their methods of manufacture, for controlling contaminants in soil, sediment or water that allow the passage of essentially non-contaminated water therethrough. The articles and methods described herein utilize gabions cages or grids, which are box shaped cages or grids (see FIG. 2) made of either steel wire mesh or plastic. In one embodiment, reactive geotextile mats are disposed on a top major surface of a gabion cage or grid. In other embodiments, the cages or grids surround a geocomposite containing reactive material. The gabion cage or grid structures can be constructed in-situ (at the site of deployment) or remotely (on land or barge) and set in place. They are typically placed side-by-side and, in a preferred embodiment, are configured to cover a target sediment area, underwater. The gabion cages or grids may be filled with clean sediment, silt, sand and/or concrete block or rock to hold the reactive geocomposite in place and for armoring.

Abstract: A process for insitu treatment of at least one contaminant in a groundwater plume, the process comprises the steps of: installing a permeable reactive barrier in the flow path of the groundwater plume, wherein the installation of the permeable reactive barrier comprises the steps of: boring a first borehole with a portion longitudinally extending substantially parallel with an upper surface of the groundwater plume; filling the longitudinally extending portion of the first borehole with a reactive material comprising a solid reactant configured to react with the at least one contaminant in the groundwater plume to produce at least one product having less hazardous characteristics than the at least one contaminant; boring a second borehole with a portion proximate, substantially adjacent or overlapping the longitudinally extending portion of the first borehole; and filling the portion of the second borehole proximate, substantially adjacent or overlapping the longitudinally extending portion of the first boreh

Abstract: The present invention is related to a process for reducing solid waste volume and landfill mass. More particularly, the process of the present invention is directed to reducing organic waste with or without production and collection of a useful product. The process of the present invention involves supplying at least one oxidizing agent in the presence of an aqueous medium into organic materials. The oxidizing agent oxidizes and breaks down a portion of these materials. After addition of the oxidizing agent, at least one species of microorganism may be supplied into the channel and the microorganism consumes the oxidized organic material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a barrier cap material including a blend of: a plurality of aggregate particles, and a plurality of manufactured composite particles including a hydratable sealant material. In a particular embodiment, the segregation of a blend of aggregate particles and composite particles, when dropped through a water column can be controlled by varying blends of aggregate and composite particles. In another embodiment, the permeability of the barrier cap material, when hydrated on a surface, can be controlled from 1×10?3 cm/sec to 1×10?8 cm/sec by varying blends of aggregate and composite particles.

Abstract: A system is installed in the subsurface to control the hydraulic gradient between the area within a containment system and the area outside the containment system, and provides an easy-to-maintain treatment system. Preferably, the treatment system includes a sufficiently sized conduit between the inside-area and the outside-area that is accessible via a manhole. This conduit can be filled with remedial material or other treatment equipment, the manhole-sized access providing a relatively easy means of providing, maintaining, and replacing this material and equipment. Because the conduit is appropriately sized, hydraulic pressures on either side of the open conduit can be expected to be substantially equal, thereby reducing the potential of leakage of contaminants caused by hydrostatic pressure. Gates and screens are provided on either side of the conduit, to facilitate flow control, with manhole accessways to facilitate maintenance of these gates and screens.

Abstract: Compositions in accordance with the principles of the present invention comprise a compressed mixture of fibrous organic materials and multi-valent metals used to remove organic chemical contaminants. The compositions are made into a pre-shaped, compressed form used to form a permeable reactive barrier for decontamination of soils, sediments, sludges, and waters containing environmental pollutants. The compressed mixture, comprising the fibrous organic particles and one or more multivalent metallic particles, is formed into reactive pellets, granules, and other pre-shaped structures for use in constructing a reactive barrier, typically for use in a contaminated environment or in an industrial process. By way of example, the pre-shaped structure may be used to construct a reactive barrier to remove halogenated organic chemical contaminants, nitroaromatic organic contaminants, or certain inorganic contaminants from various terrestrial and aquatic based ecosystems.

Abstract: Systems, components, and methods relating to subterranean containment barriers. Laterally adjacent tubular casings having male interlock structures and multiple female interlock structures defining recesses for receiving a male interlock structure are used to create subterranean barriers for containing and treating buried waste and its effluents. The multiple female interlock structures enable the barriers to be varied around subsurface objects and to form barrier sidewalls. The barrier may be used for treating and monitoring a zone of interest.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water treatment apparatus and method for reducing toxicity in zinc containing acid stormwater runoff, the apparatus comprising a first filter layer of high calcium material a last filter layer comprising a drainpipe arrangement embedded within an aggregate; and at least one intermediate filter layer comprising a wood mulch material positioned between the first filter layer and said last filter layer.

Abstract: Systems, components, and methods relating to subterranean containment barriers. Laterally adjacent tubular casings having male interlock structures and multiple female interlock structures defining recesses for receiving a male interlock structure are used to create subterranean barriers for containing and treating buried waste and its effluents. The multiple female interlock structures enable the barriers to be varied around subsurface objects and to form barrier sidewalls. The barrier may be used for treating and monitoring a zone of interest.

Abstract: A system for the onsite storage, treatment and disposal of contaminated soils and sediments includes a trench that is excavated at the site. The trench is formed with a bottom surface that includes a sump reservoir and a sloped portion oriented to feed liquids into the sump reservoir. An impervious liner is positioned in the trench to prevent leakage into the surroundings. A sump system that includes the sump reservoir, drain tubes and geotextile netting is disposed in the trench to transfer fluids between the sump reservoir and the contaminated material. A geotextile filter sheet is positioned over the sump system allowing fluid transfer between the sump system and the contaminated material while preventing solids from entering the sump system. An access pipe allows fluids to be introduced into and withdrawn from the sump reservoir to accomplish various treatment methods including de-watering, vapor extraction, bioremediation, surfactant washing and solvent extraction.

Abstract: Freeze wells may be used to isolate an area for soil remediation. Freeze wells may form a frozen barrier around a treatment area. The frozen barrier may inhibit fluid from entering into the treatment area. The frozen barrier may also inhibit migration of contamination out of the treatment area. The frozen barrier may be used to surround all of the perimeter of the treatment area. A frozen barrier may also be formed above or below a treatment area. Freeze wells may be activated in advance of soil remediation so that a frozen barrier is formed when soil remediation is begun. The soil remediation may be accomplished by any type of soil remediation system, including a thermal soil remediation system. Heaters of a thermal soil remediation system may be may be placed close to the frozen barrier without the barrier being broken through during remediation.

Abstract: A waste collection site having a fluid distribution structure, and the structure and related method, the structure including a geocomposite for placement on and between levels of collected waste and at least one pipe extending up from the geocomposite and adapted to receive the fluid from horizontally extending feeder headers. The permeable material includes a spacing layer between top and bottom layers, and a discharge manifold at the bottom of the pipe discharges the fluid between the top and bottom layers. The bottom layer has a flow rate FB of fluid therethrough and the top layer has a flow rate FT, where FB<FT, and the spacing layer maintains a space between the top and layers to permit flow of fluid therein to distribute the fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a water treatment system (10) including: (a) a water permeable wall portion (12) defining a water treatment portion (18) of a waterway to be treated; and (b) a treating portion (20) retained in a desired position relative to the permeable wall portion (12) by retaining means (26) wherein water to be treated permeates through said wall portion (12), said retaining means (26) and said treating portion (20) for removing pollutants contained therein prior to discharge of water from the system (10).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for remedying soil containing a region polluted with a pollutant which comprises a step of injecting into the soil a liquid containing a microorganism having an activity to decompose the pollutant or a liquid containing the microorganism and an activation agent for the microorganism decomposing the pollutant, wherein the step comprises isolating the region from surrounding soil with a barrier made of a material that does not allow the pollutant, the microorganism, the activation agent or water to pass through, and replacing void water in the isolated region with said liquid.

Abstract: A phosphate mineral based reactive barrier system. Phosphate minerals are known to be sinks for heavy metal contaminants. The reactive barrier prevents the release of contaminants from waste materials, sediments or dredged materials via reaction with the contaminants at the interface between the barrier and the waste material, sediments or dredged material. The barrier is comprised of a phosphate mineral material where the form of the phosphate mineral is variable but primarily insoluble. This barrier is placed below, around, and/or on top of the contaminated materials such that the contaminated materials are completely enveloped, capped, or contained by a grout curtain. The barrier can be in a (i) slurry form, (ii) blended matrix form with other inorganic agents, or (iii) composite form with a geotextile or geofabric. These methods of construction can be used singly or jointly. In some cases, pH control may be used to optimize the chemical reactions within the barrier system.