Inventors:
Ronald Britto - Collierville TN, US
Madhukant Patel - Cordova TN, US
Mikael L. Spangberg - West Hartford CT, US
Richard W. Arnseth - Knoxville TN, US
Franklin R. Bogle - Knoxville TN, US
International Classification:
A62D 3/37
Abstract:
A method for remediating hazardous materials susceptible to nucleophillic attack is disclosed wherein sodium hydroxide is applied to a treatment zone in situ for raising the pH of the treatment zone to at least about 12.5 so that alkaline hydrolysis effectively breaks down the hazardous substance by replacing a leaving group with a nucleophile. The method is well suited for in situ use in the vadose zone to treat contaminated soil and groundwater.