Operational Experience of the site adapted AR&B System Brunn a. G., Austria

Characteristic soil contaminations at the site were caused by deposits of residuals of tar, ash and slag. The contamination of the groundwater showed high contents of PAH’s, aromatic hydrocarbons, (BTEX) phenols, total petroleum hydrocarbons and traces of chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHC). After the remedial excavation in the unsaturated zone, a site adapted groundwater protection and remediation system was designed, which is based on the Permeable Reactive Barrier (PRB) Concept. The installed Adsorptive Reactor and Barrier (AR&B) System induced the deviation of the flow direction of contaminated groundwater towards four In-Situ large adsorptive reactors. The groundwater is purified while passing through the activated carbon. A hydraulic barrier is separating the area of contaminated groundwater in the South from the catchment area of a manmade pond in the North which acts as runoff of the purified water. Seven years of operational experience are showing an excellent purification effect of the implemented adsorbent material. The propagation of the plume is effectively prevented by the induced lowering of the groundwater level.