An innovative full-scale implementation of a permeable reactive barrier, consisting of a double-row of cylinders filled with zerovalent iron shavings, for chromate remediation was monitored over four years. Solid samples were analyzed to elucidate (i) the relevant corrosion mechanisms and products, (ii) the pathways of chromate reduction and immobilization, and (iii) the long-term performance o...

A permeable reactive barrier, consisting of a mixture of compost and calcite gravel, was built in Aznalcóllar (SW Spain) to treat acidic groundwater containing zinc, aluminium and copper. Monitoring results show that practically no dissolved sulphate is reduced as water flows through the barrier, which has a residence time of about 1 to 2 days. Despite this lack of bacterial activity significan...

Experience has shown that one of the most common reasons permeable reactive barriers (PRBs) fail to meet performance criteria is inadequate understanding of the groundwater flow system. For example, contaminated water may flow around the ends of the barrier or funnelling slurry walls, under the barrier walls, or through the slurry walls. An analysis of the groundwater flow regime resulting from...

Permeable reactive barriers are a technology that is one decade old, with most full-scale applications based on abiotic mechanisms. Though there is extensive literature on engineered bioreactors, natural biodegradation potential, and in situ remediation, it is only recently that engineered passive bioreactive barrier technology is being considered at the commercial scale to manage contaminated ...

Biobarriers, as permeable reactive barriers (PRBs), are a common technology that mainly uses bacteria to remediate groundwater in polluted aquifers. In this study, we propose to use Trametes versicolor, a white-rot fungus, as the reactive element because of its capacity to degrade a wide variety of highly recalcitrant and xenobiotic compounds. A laboratory-scale artificial aquifer was construct...

Previous studies have demonstrated that perturbations in barrier function stimulate epidermal lipid synthesis and that this increase can be prevented by occlusive membranes. These observations suggest that epidermal lipid synthesis might be related to barrier function and raised the question whether transcutaneous water flux might regulate epidermal lipogenesis. In the present study we first ab...