In situ chemical oxidation test of organic solvents with potassium permanganate

A pilot test was conducted in an aquifer polluted (500 x 50 x 10 in) by organic chlorinated solvents (PCE, TCE, DCE) consisting of a concentrated injection of KMnO4 and long-term pumping from a borehole 11.8 m downstream. The reactant slug was 10 kg of commercially available KMnO4 injected over 3.2 h along with 680 l of water. The extraction rate was maintained constant for 10 days at a 410 m(3) day(-1). During the observation period, the concentration of PCE decreased from 900 to 200 ppb, while TCE and Cis- and trans-DCE decreased by more than one-order of magnitude. After the dilution of the oxidant plume, concentrations increased again to original values. The results of this pilot test are optimistic regarding the use of this method for full-scale application at this site.