Assessment of zerovalent iron/lapillus granular mixtures for the remediation of heavy metal-contaminated groundwater

This thesis focuses on the theme of contamination of groundwater in Europe, with particular reference to heavy metals contamination. The theme of PRB is deepened with the description of the main existing configurations, the main construction techniques and the design phases. The state of the art relating to the application of ZVI is summarized with particular reference to aspects inherent the long-term behaviour of ZVI. The experimentation was conducted with the purposes of: studying the efficacy of a multilayer configuration of Fe0/lapillus granular mixtures for PRB, with reference to the hydraulic conductivity and the long-term removal efficacy towards Cu, Ni, and Zn removal; analysing the hydraulic and reactive behaviour of a Fe0/lapillus mixture as the geochemical parameters of the contaminated solution vary; investigating the ability of lapillus to remove Cu, Ni and Zn; evaluating the removal efficacy and the hydraulic behaviour of a Fe0/lapillus granular mixture aged with non-contaminated water.