CL:AIRE to lead UK Study into the use of Iron Nanoparticles in Soil & Groundwater Remediation

CL:AIRE is delighted to announce being successful in their bid for the Defra Research Contract: “A risk/benefit approach to the application of iron nanoparticles for the remediation of contaminated sites in the environment”.  CL:AIRE is supported in this research project by r3 Environmental Technology Ltd (UK), The University of Nottingham (UK), Deltares (Netherlands) and Geosyntec (USA).  The project team will be delivering a final report to Defra in early 2011 which will be independent, non-aligned, cross sectoral and will be made publicly available.

 The project will undertake desk based research to investigate the application of zerovalent iron nanoparticles for use in the remediation of contaminated land and groundwater.  The project will provide background information on the use of nano iron for remediation purposes, that will include consideration of its physico-chemical characteristics, the fate and behavior of nano-iron in the environment, how it can be applied, what situations it may be used in, and how it works in treating contaminants in soil and groundwater. 

The project will also describe the potential risks, benefits, limitations and restrictions associated with nano-iron use for remediation of contaminated sites in the environment. Real case studies where zerovalent iron nanoparticles have been used will be provided by drawing on examples provided by practitioners Worldwide.  

This project will provide:

• A comprehensive inventory of nano-iron risks and benefits for contaminated land and groundwater remediation, identifying where conclusions can be drawn, and where uncertainties remain, as a basis for policy making.
• A set of detailed case studies that illustrate the range of contamination problems currently addressed by nano iron, and classified as commercially available; demonstrated; in development and conceptual.
• A prioritised research agenda to address any uncertainties identified.

For more information: Niels Hartog, +31 88 335 77 22