ABSTRACT
Groundwater contamination by non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) has become a major environmental concern in the United States. The more dense non-aqueous phase liquids such as chlorocarbons often migrate to the bottom of aquifers, due to their being more dense than water, and there become a long term source of contamination for the water of the aquifer. One method for removal of NAPLs from aquifers is the pump and treat method. This method involves pumping the aquifer with water to slowly dissolve the organics and treating the water at the surface to remove the contaminants. In a recent publication, Johnson and Pankow have shown that the rate at which a pool of chlorinated hydrocarbons dissolves depends on vertical dispersivity, the groundwater velocity, the solubility, and the length of the pool. This chapter describes the experimental methods for toxic spill remediation of chlorinated hydrocarbons via microemulsion formation.
