In situ chemical oxidation of environments contaminated by hazardous materials

Chemical oxidation is the most common way to treat contaminated groundwater or wastewater containing recalcitrant or toxic compounds towards biological oxidation. A number of oxidising agents are commonly used to achieve the complete mineralization of contaminants or simply to transform them in one or more biodegradable products. A review of the in situ application of chemical oxidation for soil and groundwater remediation is provided, including Fenton oxidation, ozonation, permanganate oxidation. For each technology, operating conditions, and health and safety aspects are considered, together with economic evaluation.