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Location
Lexington, Kentucky
Start Date
6-5-2026 2:00 PM
End Date
6-5-2026 2:30 PM
Description
SynTerra will present a unique, low-cost, low-impact approach to metals remediation in shallow groundwater at a former industrial site located in the Atlantic Coastal Plain. The approach employs pH adjustment of groundwater using agricultural lime coupled with the use of daikon radish to augment lime contact time and to increase depth of soil augmentation. This method is designed to be a more sustainable, less resource-intensive, and less technically challenging remedial alternative with lower estimated overall costs. The primary corrective action—source removal—has been completed. However, the oxidation of residual sulfide-bearing minerals has resulted in persistent low-pH groundwater, which increases the solubility and mobility of metal constituents of interests (COIs). While long-term natural attenuation is expected, low-pH conditions could persist for decades; therefore, an evaluation of remedial options was completed to accelerate COI attenuation mechanisms. The selected remedy is the application of agricultural lime (CaCO3) to the shallow subsurface to increase pH and buffering capacity in groundwater and unsaturated soil, thereby decreasing COI mobility and concentrations. Application dosage rates and details were developed following a baseline evaluation and analysis of subsurface soil conditions. Although infiltrating rainwater will naturally carry the higher-pH water deeper into the water-bearing unit, SynTerra developed a simple, low-cost enhancement using daikon radish root channels (phyto-enhancement) to accelerate lime movement into the groundwater. This enhancement is expected to expedite the buffering capacity of the water-bearing unit and the time needed to decrease COI mobility. A robust monitoring well program is already established to track performance. The final assessment design, site characterization results, and lime application calculations will be presented, along with initial observations from the novel pilot study.
Document Type
Presentation
Archival?
Archival
Included in
Energy Systems Commons, Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment Commons, Environmental Monitoring Commons, Mining Engineering Commons, Oil, Gas, and Energy Commons, Structural Materials Commons, Sustainability Commons
A Cost-Effective, Low-Impact Remedial Approach for Metals: Utilizing Phyto-Enhancement to Accelerate pH Adjustment of Shallow Groundwater
Lexington, Kentucky
SynTerra will present a unique, low-cost, low-impact approach to metals remediation in shallow groundwater at a former industrial site located in the Atlantic Coastal Plain. The approach employs pH adjustment of groundwater using agricultural lime coupled with the use of daikon radish to augment lime contact time and to increase depth of soil augmentation. This method is designed to be a more sustainable, less resource-intensive, and less technically challenging remedial alternative with lower estimated overall costs. The primary corrective action—source removal—has been completed. However, the oxidation of residual sulfide-bearing minerals has resulted in persistent low-pH groundwater, which increases the solubility and mobility of metal constituents of interests (COIs). While long-term natural attenuation is expected, low-pH conditions could persist for decades; therefore, an evaluation of remedial options was completed to accelerate COI attenuation mechanisms. The selected remedy is the application of agricultural lime (CaCO3) to the shallow subsurface to increase pH and buffering capacity in groundwater and unsaturated soil, thereby decreasing COI mobility and concentrations. Application dosage rates and details were developed following a baseline evaluation and analysis of subsurface soil conditions. Although infiltrating rainwater will naturally carry the higher-pH water deeper into the water-bearing unit, SynTerra developed a simple, low-cost enhancement using daikon radish root channels (phyto-enhancement) to accelerate lime movement into the groundwater. This enhancement is expected to expedite the buffering capacity of the water-bearing unit and the time needed to decrease COI mobility. A robust monitoring well program is already established to track performance. The final assessment design, site characterization results, and lime application calculations will be presented, along with initial observations from the novel pilot study.
