Soil and Sediment Remediation

Innovative soil remediation techniques

Center for Natural Resources

CNR explores innovative soil remediation techniques to restore sites affected by industrial discharges and hazardous chemical releases.

Bioremediation of Hydrocarbons

Sand column microcosms and seawater bottle (Bioremediation of hydrocarbons).

Biodegradation of crude oil in hypersaline seawater.

Publications:

  • Ji, W., Abou-Khalil, C., Parameswarappa Jayalakshmamma, M., Boufadel, M., & Lee, K. (2023). Post-formation of oil particle aggregates: Breakup and biodegradation. Environmental Science & Technology, 57(6), 2341–2350. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.2c05866
  • Abou-Khalil, C., Prince, R. C., Greer, C. W., Lee, K., & Boufadel, M. C. (2022). Bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons in the upper parts of sandy beaches. Environmental Science & Technology, 56(12), 8124–8131. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.2c01338
  • Abou Khalil, C., Prince, V. L., Prince, R. C., Greer, C. W., Lee, K., Zhang, B., & Boufadel, M. C. (2021). Occurrence and biodegradation of hydrocarbons at high salinities. Science of the Total Environment, 762, 143165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143165
  • Boufadel, M. C., Reeser, P., Suidan, M. T., Wrenn, B. A., Cheng, J., Du, X., ... & Venosa, A. D. (1999). Optimal nitrate concentration for the biodegradation of n-heptadecane in a variably-saturated sand column. Environmental Technology, 20(2), 191–199. https://doi.org/10.1080/09593332008616808

Nonaqueous Phase Liquid (NAPL) Removal:

• Boufadel, M. C., Ji, W., Jayalakshmamma, M. P., Abou Khalil, C., Abrams, S., Zhao, L., & Wang, A. (2021). Nonaqueous phase liquid removal by postconventional techniques. Journal of Environmental Engineering, 147(3), 03120011.

Electrokinetic Remediation:

Studies focus on the mobilization and removal of persistent contaminants, such as PFAS and heavy metals, via electrokinetic and hydraulic flushing, supported by field-scale simulations and lab validation.

Electrokinetic Remediation.

Publications:

  • Jayalakshmamma, M. P., Ji, W., Abou Khalil, C., Marhaba, T. F., Abrams, S., Lee, K., ... & Boufadel, M. (2021). Removal of hydrocarbons from heterogenous soil using electrokinetics and surfactants. Environmental Challenges, 4, 100071. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envc.2021.100071
  • Wartell, B. A., Boufadel, M. C., Rodriguez-Freire, L., Axe, L., Abrams, S., & Ciblak, A. (2021). Studies in Electrokinetic Migration Rates of Dyes in Sand and Clay. Journal of Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste, 25(2), 04020071. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)HZ.2153-5515.0000576
  • Ji, W., Jayalakshmamma, M. P., Abou Khalil, C., Zhao, L., & Boufadel, M. (2020). Removal of hydrocarbon from soils possessing macro-heterogeneities using electrokinetics and surfactants. Chemical Engineering Journal Advances, 4, 100030. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceja.2020.100030

PFAS Contaminated Soil Remediation:

We examine PFAS mobilization in soils using electrokinetic and hydraulic flushing, focusing on how factors such as organic matter and clay content influence transport and removal. Our work supports the development of site-specific remediation strategies for persistent contaminants in complex soil systems.

EK to mobilize PFAS from soils.

 

Publications:

  • Dhulia, A., Abou-Khalil, C., Kewalramani, J., Sarkar, D., & Boufadel, M. C. (2024). Mobilization of per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in soils with different organic matter contents. Chemosphere, 361, 142503. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142503
  • Abou-Khalil, C., Kewalramani, J., Zhang, Z., Sarkar, D., Abrams, S., & Boufadel, M. C. (2023). Effect of clay content on the mobilization efficiency of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from soils by electrokinetics and hydraulic flushing. Environmental Pollution, 322, 121160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121160
  • Abou-Khalil, C., Sarkar, D., Braykaa, P., & Boufadel, M. C. (2022). Mobilization of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in soils: a review. Current Pollution Reports, 8(4), 422-444. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40726-022-00241-8

For other CNR Areas of Interest, Check out here.