Project: Research and Development of Methods for Persistent Organic Polutants (POPs) Elimination

The project is aimed at selection of effective technique for decontamination of sites polluted POPs. Biodegradation and chemical reduction using zero valent iron and/or organic substrates will be tested. Chemical oxidation could be also used but amount of e.g. Fenton's reagent is much higher than a content of contaminant (max. 50:1) and during the process unstable oxidizing reactants are generated that cause cost ineffectiveness. Chemical reduction is a proper technology for chlorinated pesticides degradation but it is necessary to cope with the rising concentration of degradation intermediates (COly benzene and chlorobenzenes). Anaerobic biodegradation of HCH isomer was described at the end of 70's. The biodegradation rates of HCH isomers are not the same, d-HCH and ß-HCH are more persistent than a-HCH and ¿-HCH isomers. Generation of degradation intermediates was also observed. Therefore it is recommended to combine anaerobic degradation of HCH isomers with aerobic degradation of generated intermediate (COly benzene, chlorobenzenes or chlorophenols). Anaerobic biodegradation was described for DDT as well, degradation intermediates are DDD ad DDE that are more persistent than DDT._x000D_Above mentioned processes can be used for decontamination of polluted soil and groundwater in situ or ex situ. Anaerobic conditions are usually achieved by application of organic substrate (beat molasses, whey, etc.). Air sparging wells with air injection usually serve as a source of oxygen for aerobic biodegradation. _x000D__x000D_HCH (hexachlorocyclohexane) was produced industrially in large quantities for its insecticidal effect and used for removing human and animal parasites and for a protection of forests, agricultural crops and other vegetation in the Czech Republic, formerly in Czechoslovakia and Romania. The insecticidal effect has only gamma isomer of HCH (¿-HCH, Lindane). Lindane was separated from the mixture of HCH isomers using fractional distillation. Waste isomers were usually stored at places with often inefficient safety precautions. Lindane was usually used together with DDT, after restriction of DDT was further used for protection of seed grain. Lindane was restricted in 1989. HCH isomers are relatively stable compounds with higher solubility in water in comparison to other POPs (DDT, Aldrin, Heptachlor) therefore has also higher mobility in atmosphere and hydrosphere._x000D_DDT (1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis-(4'-chlorophenyl)ethane) was widely used in former Czechoslovakia and Romania approximately from1944. During its production DDD (1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane ) was generated as well. Further, DDT is transferred to DDE (1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethylene ) in the environment. DDT was restricted in 1974. DDT and its degradation intermediates are relatively stable non-polar compounds with low water solubility but on the other hand they accumulate in lipid parts of organisms and absorb on solid particles of soil._x000D_In Romania, there are several sites polluted with HCH isomers and/or DDT and degradation intermediates. The historical contamination was generated by the pesticide large production units - accidental spills or improper storage - in their neighbourhood and by abusive use in other areas._x000D__x000D_Project will be focused even on decontamination of sites polluted by both HCH isomers and DDT and its degradation intermediates._x000D__x000D_The project consortium will be formed by one SME subject and one RTD subject. This consortium composition guarantees fulfilling the project aim and its individual tasks.

Acronym	POPELIM (Reference Number: 5164)
Duration	01/02/2010 - 01/01/2013
Project Topic	The project is aimed at proposing and verifying an effective technology for treatment of sites contaminated by POPs (HCH isomers, DDT, DDD and DDE). These pesticides can occur together but their parallel treatment carries out with different efficiencies.
Project Results (after finalisation)	The remediation technology for hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and their intermediates elimination was developed and tested in a laboratory and a pilot scale. Four different technological approaches using zero-valent iron (ZVI) or organic substrate (beet molasses) as in situ or ex situ decontamination process were tested. The technology brochure describing the developed technology and presenting the project results was created. Aditionally, the results obtained within the project were patented (the Czech national patent no. CZ 303 568).
Network	Eurostars
Call	Eurostars Cut-Off 3

Project partner

Number	Name	Role	Country
3	DEKONTA, a.s.	Coordinator	Czech Republic
3	S.C DFR SYSTEMS SRL	Partner	Romania
3	The National Research & Development Institute for Industrial Ecology - ECOIND	Partner	Romania