CHED 1104 |
| The problem of contaminated groundwater is a common issue that affects people around the world, and one that still needs a solution. Researchers at the Centre for Environmental Research in Leipzig, Germany are developing ways of treating groundwater in aquifers in-situ. Environmental catalysis and development of reactive colloids could provide a more cost-effective solution. This involves pumping a colloidal suspension of activated carbon or a Pd catalyst into the aquifer, where it would disperse throughout and dechlorinate hazardous chorinated organic compounds. Palladium catalysts are able to promote both hydrogenation of acenaphthylene and dechlorination of chloronapthalene in a single reaction mixture. In order to explore the competition between these reactions and how both reaction types are affected by changing conditions, various Pd catalysts and pH values were used. First order kinetic reactions were expected, however, it was shown that under some conditions this model was a bit simplified. |
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Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Environmental Chemistry
2:00 PM-4:00 PM, Monday, March 26, 2007 Hyatt Regency Chicago -- Riverside Center, Poster
Division of Chemical Education |