Metals Immobilization

Hexavalent Chromium Remediation

Metals contamination of soil and groundwater can pose risks and hazards to humans and the environment. Some of the most prevalent sources of metals contamination in groundwater are leachate from landfills, mine tailings piles and abandoned mines; sewage sludge or liquid sewage; and spills and leaks. A range of industries also use metals in their processes or produce them as by-products or wastes.

Hexavalent chromium (hex-chrome) is a widely-used metal in industrial applications such as chrome plating, coatings, metal working, steel production, glass making, paint manufacturing, wood preservation, etc. Anywhere these industries are located, hex-chrome can contaminate air, soil and groundwater. One primary method of hexavalent chromium remediation is immobilization. This process refers to the process of transforming aqueous phase, highly mobile hex-chromium in groundwater into a solid, stable, non-toxic trivalent chromium which becomes part of the soil matrix. Under reducing conditions, hexavalent chromium is reduced to trivalent chromium, which precipitates as a chromium hydroxide solid that is stable under a wide range of conditions.

This immobilization process can be facilitated by the use of injectable remedial reagents such as 3-D Microemulsion® or Contaminant Reducing Solution (CRS®) to effectively remove hex-chrome from groundwater.

REGENESIS welcomes the opportunity to provide you and your team with the tools you need to successfully plan and execute your next hexavalent chromium remediation project.

If you currently have a project and need a remediation solution now, request a design.

Have questions or want to explore some ideas? Contact Us to get in touch with a local representative.

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FAQs about Metals Immobilization

Metals Immobilization effectively removes dangerous metals, such as Hexavalent chromium, from the air, soil, or groundwater. This immobilization process refers to the process of transforming aqueous phase, highly mobile hex-chromium in groundwater into a solid, stable, non-toxic trivalent chromium which becomes part of the soil matrix. Trivalent chromium precipitates as a chromium hydroxide solid that is stable under a wide range of conditions.

Heavy metals, such as Hexavalent chromium, can occur in the soil because they are widely used in many industrial applications. Evidence of heavy metals in the soil can be confirmed by soil testing and evaluation of the soil data by an environmental professional experienced in reviewing soil lab results. The use of microbial data is especially useful in monitoring soil polllution produced by heavy metals.

Treatment solution for removing heavy metals from the soil include excavation, immobilization, stabilization, or phytoremediation.