Effectiveness of persulfate slow-release material in remediating fuel contamination in karst water

LI Wei-xuan; CHEN Yu-dao; DENG Ri-tian; TANG Dong-bo; YANG Wei

PDF(1618 KB)

China Environmental Science ›› 2026, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (3) : 1387-1397.

Water Pollution Control

Effectiveness of persulfate slow-release material in remediating fuel contamination in karst water

LI Wei-xuan^1,2, CHEN Yu-dao^1,2, DENG Ri-tian¹, TANG Dong-bo¹, YANG Wei¹

Author information +

History +

Abstract

In response to the constrained efficacy of traditional in situ chemical oxidation and enhanced bioremediation in karst groundwater, novel slow-release materials (SRMs) were prepared employing paraffin and concrete as binding agents. Simulated karst column experiments were performed to characterize the release kinetics and assess the removal performance of these SRMs against typical fuel pollutants (BTX). In this study, slow-release materials were prepared using paraffin and concrete as binders. Column experiments simulating a dynamic karst aquatic environment were conducted to investigate the release behavior of these materials and their efficacy in removing typical fuel contaminants (BTX compounds). The results showed that: Paraffin-based slow-release materials exhibited significant media-specific release behaviour, but their initial burst release of persulfate resulted in increased non-target consumption. Concrete-based slow-release materials demonstrated a more stable release profile and achieved a higher nitrate utilization rate in the remediation system. Although ferrous salt activation improved the oxidation efficiency of persulfate, challenges such as short activation duration (<72hours), limited spatial influence, and low ferrous ion utilization (leading to iron hydroxide precipitation) remained. In karst groundwater, the first-order decay rate constant for benzene series concentration under the slow-release dosing method (0.154d^-1) was higher than that under the continuous dosing method (0.044d^-1), indicating superior removal efficiency with slow-release dosing. The pH buffering effect in the limestone medium delayed persulfate decay, while the sandy medium facilitated the enrichment of functional microorganisms, thereby enhancing bioremediation.

Key words

persulfate / slow-release materials / fuel contamination / karst water / microbial activity

Cite this article

EndNote

Ris (Procite)

Bibtex

Download Citations

LI Wei-xuan, CHEN Yu-dao, DENG Ri-tian, TANG Dong-bo, YANG Wei. Effectiveness of persulfate slow-release material in remediating fuel contamination in karst water[J]. China Environmental Science. 2026, 46(3): 1387-1397

References

[1] Das A, Giri B S, Manjunatha R. Systematic review on benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) emissions; health impact assessment; and detection techniques in oil and natural gas operations [J]. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2025,32(1):1-22.
[2] 郑师梅,周启星,杨凤霞,等.中国苯系物淡水水质基准推荐值的探讨 [J]. 中国科学:地球科学, 2017,47(12):1493-1508. Zheng S M, Zhou Q X, Yang F X, et al. Discussion on the recommended value of the water quality of Chinese benzene system [J]. Scientia Sinica Terrae, 2017,47(12):1493–1508.
[3] Ambaye T G, Chebbi A, Formicola F, et al. Remediation of soil polluted with petroleum hydrocarbons and its reuse for agriculture: Recent progress, challenges, and perspectives [J]. Chemosphere, 2022,293:133572.
[4] Balseiro-romero M, Monterroso C, Casares J J. Environmental fate of petroleum hydrocarbons in soil: Review of multiphase transport, mass transfer, and natural attenuation processes [J]. Pedosphere, 2018,28(6):833-847.
[5] Ossai I C, Ahmed A, Hassan A, et al. Remediation of soil and water contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbon: A review [J]. Environmental Technology & Innovation, 2020,17:100526.
[6] 罗炳佳,杨胜元,罗维,等.岩溶地下水有机污染特征分析——以贵阳市某加油站为例 [J]. 地球学报, 2014,35(2):255-261. Luo B J, Yang S Y, Luo W, et al. Analysis of organic pollution characteristics of karst groundwater: A case study of a gas station in Guiyang [J]. Acta Geoscientica Sinica, 2014,35(2):255-261.
[7] Ewers R O, White K A, Fuller J F. Contaminant plumes and pseudoplumes in karst aquifers [J]. Carbonates and Evaporites, 2012,27(2):153-159.
[8] 郭永丽,肖琼,章程,等.石油类污染的岩溶地下水环境特征:以淄博市大武水源地为例 [J]. 地学前缘, 2023,30(2):539-547. Guo Y L, Xiao Q, Zhang C, et al. Characteristics of petroleum hydrocarbon polluted karst groundwater environment: A case study of groundwater source in Dawu, Zibo City, northern China. Earth Science Frontiers, 2023,30(2):539 547.
[9] Kalhor K, Ghasemizadeh R, Rajic L, et al. Assessment of groundwater quality and remediation in karst aquifers: A review [J]. Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 2019,8:104-121.
[10] Zhao B, Sun Z, Liu Y. An overview of in-situ remediation for nitrate in groundwater [J]. Science of The Total Environment, 2022,804:149981.
[11] 张连凯,覃小群,黄奇波,等.岩溶区矿山污染地下水的水生植物修复初步研究 [J]. 中国岩溶, 2017,36(5):743-750. Zhang L K, Qin X Q, Huang Q B, et al. Aquatic plants bioremediation to groundwater contaminated by mines in karst areas [J]. Carsologica Sinica, 2017,36(5):743-750.
[12] Mekonnen B A, Aragaw T A, Genet M B. Bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated soil: A review on principles, degradation mechanisms, and advancements [J]. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 2024,12:1354422.
[13] Wang H, Chen Y, He L, et al. Feasibility of nitrate reduction combined with persulfate oxidation in the remediation of groundwater contaminated by gasoline [J]. Hydrogeology Journal, 2022,30(1):151-161.
[14] Dong L, Xia Y, Hu Z, et al. Research progress of persulfate activation technology [J]. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2024, 31(22):31771-31786.
[15] Wang J, Wang S. Activation of persulfate (PS) and peroxymonosulfate (PMS) and application for the degradation of emerging contaminants [J]. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2018,334:1502-1517.
[16] 王文洋,汪溪远,师庆东,等.不同方式活化过硫酸盐修复有机污染土壤的研究进展 [J]. 应用化工, 2023,52(2):557-561,572. Wang W Y, Wang X Y, Shi Q D, et al. Research progress of different activated persulfate methods for remediation of organic contaminated soil [J]. Applied Chemical Industry, 2023,52(2):557-561,572.
[17] Chang Y C, Peng Y P, Chen K F, et al. The effect of different in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) technologies on the survival of indigenous microbes and the remediation of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil [J]. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 2022,163:105-115.
[18] 罗俊鹏,赵一澍,廖晓勇,等.化学预氧化-生物强化-生物刺激对土壤中菲降解的联合效应 [J]. 环境工程学报, 2019,13(10):2521-2529. Luo J P, Zhao Y S, Liao X Y, et al. Joint degradation effects of phenanthrene in soil by chemical pre-oxidation bioaugmentation- biostimulation [J]. Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering, 2019,13(10):2521-2529.
[19] 徐康,陈余道,蒋亚萍,等.岩溶地下水中过硫酸盐持久性及其影响因素 [J]. 桂林理工大学学报, 2022,42(2):477-483. Xu K, Chen Y D, Jiang Y P, et al. Persistence of persulfate and its effect in karst groundwater [J]. Journal of Guilin University of Technology, 2022,42(2):477-483.
[20] Dai X, Lv J, Fu P, et al. Microbial remediation of oil-contaminated shorelines: A review [J]. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2023,30(41):93491-93518.
[21] 张晟瑀,张朦幻,王利刚,等.微生物对地下水中萘的降解特性及动力学研究 [J]. 地学前缘, 2021,28(5):146-158. Zhang S Y, Zhang M H, Wang L G, et al. Degradation of naphthalene by microorganisms in groundwater: Characteristics and kinetics [J]. Earth Science Frontiers, 2021,28(5):146-158.
[22] 邓旭,陈余道,邓日添,等.PS缓释处理岩溶水石油污染过程中电子受体的利用 [J]. 环境工程学报, 2024,18(6):1531-1540. Deng X, Chen Y D, Deng R T, et al. Availability of electron acceptors in the persulfate slow-release treatment of petroleum pollution in karst groundwater [J]. Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering, 2024, 18(6):1531-1540.
[23] Liu N, Wang L, Cao D, et al. Remediation of petroleum contaminated soil by persulfate oxidation coupled with microbial degradation [J]. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 2023,11(3):109910.
[24] Tan B, He Z, Fang Y, et al. Removal of organic pollutants in shale gas fracturing flowback and produced water: A review [J]. Science of The Total Environment, 2023,883:163478.
[25] Wu R, Wang S. Integration of microbial reductive dehalogenation with persulfate activation and oxidation (bio-RD-PAO) for complete attenuation of organohalides [J]. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, 2022,16(2):22.
[26] 朱雪强,花港,周来,等.“蜡烛”型过硫酸盐缓释材料释放行为与机制 [J]. 中国环境科学, 2023,43(2):601-609. Zhu X Q, Hua G, Zhou L, et al. Release behavior and mechanism of candle-shaped persulfate sustained-release material [J]. China Environmental Science, 2023,43(2):601-609.
[27] Wang W, Jia J, Zhang B, et al. A review of sustained release materials for remediation of organically contaminated groundwater:material preparation, applications and prospects for practical application [J]. Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances, 2024,13:100393.
[28] 王山榕,王永剑,单广波.过硫酸钠-过氧化钙修复多环芳烃污染土壤 [J]. 化工环保, 2022,42(2):173-178. Wang S R, Wang Y J, Shan G B. Remediation of PAHs contaminated soil with sodium persulfate-calcium peroxide [J]. Environmental Protection of Chemical Industry, 2022,42(2):173-178.
[29] 曾军,吴宇澄,林先贵.多环芳烃污染土壤微生物修复研究进展 [J]. 微生物学报, 2020,60(12):2804-2815. Zeng J, Wu Y C, Lin X G. Advances in microbial remediation of soils polluted by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons [J]. Acta Microbiologica Sinica, 2020,60(12):2804-2815.
[30] 江文豪,李江山,黄啸,等.考虑对流-扩散-吸附-降解时成层介质中有机污染物一维运移的解析模型 [J]. 岩土工程学报, 2023,45(2): 262-272. Jiang W H, Li J S, Huang X, et al. Analytical model for one-dimensional transport of organic contaminants in multilayered media considering advection-diffusion-adsorption-degradation [J]. Chinese Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 2023,45(2):262-272.
[31] 黄维蓉,晏茂豪,仝赞,等.混合砂对混凝土力学性能及孔隙结构的影响 [J]. 重庆交通大学学报(自然科学版), 2023,42(8):23-29. Huang W R, Yan M H, Tong Z, et al. Effect of Mixed Sand on the Mechanical Properties and Pore Structure of Concrete [J]. Journal of Chongqing Jiaotong University (Natural Science), 2023,42(8):23-29.
[32] 刘圣荣,蒋亚萍,陈余道,等.石蜡和混凝土缓释材料过硫酸盐释放机理及性能对比 [J]. 材料科学与工程学报, 2025,43(2):245-253. Liu S R, Jiang Y P, Chen Y D, et al. Mechanism and Performance Comparison of Persulfate Release from Paraffin and Concrete Slow- release Materials [J]. Journal of Materials Science & Engineering, 2025,43(2):245-253.
[33] 赵鹏翔,康新朋,李树刚,等.煤层开采“固-气”耦合相似材料特性分析 [J]. 西安科技大学学报, 2020,40(4):580-588. Zhao P X, Kang X P, Li S G, et al. Characteristics analysis of “solid-gas” coupling similar materials of coal mining [J]. Journal of Xi’an University of Science and Technology, 2020,40(4):580-588.
[34] 程毅康,杨磊,肖素萍,等.核壳铁碳材料活化过硫酸盐去除地下水中苯-萘复合污染物的性能与机制 [J]. 环境工程学报, 2025,19(6): 1398-1412. Cheng Y K, Yang L, Xiao S P, et al. Performance and mechanisms of core-shell iron-carbon materials for persulfate activation in remediating benzene-naphthalene co-contaminated groundwater [J]. Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering, 2025,19(6):1398-1412.
[35] 杨轶群,李燊琰,戴君一,等.滦河口河岸砂质潜水含水层渗透系数尺度效应分析研究 [J]. 地学前缘, 2025,32(3):425-435. Yang Y Q, Li S Y, Dai J Y, et al. Degradation of naphthalene by microorganisms in groundwater: Characteristics and kinetics [J]. Earth Science Frontiers, 2025,32(3):425-435.
[36] Jiang Y P, Lu R Q, Chen Y D, et al. Effect of Fe²⁺-activated persulfate combined with biodegradation in removing gasoline BTX from karst groundwater: A box-column experimental study [J]. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2024,31(38):50733-50745.
[37] Wang H, Chen Y, He L, et al. Feasibility of nitrate reduction combined with persulfate oxidation in the remediation of groundwater contaminated by gasoline [J]. Hydrogeology Journal, 2022,30(1): 151-161.
[38] 夏玉瑾,胡志欣,董鲁钰,等.双包覆型过硫酸盐缓释材料的制备及其对地下水中磺胺甲恶唑的去除 [J]. 环境工程学报, 2025,19(3): 568-577. Xia Y J, Hu Z X, Dong L Y, et al. Preparation of a double-coated persulfate slow-release material for sulfamethoxazole removal from groundwater [J]. Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering, 2025,19(3):568-577.
[39] Chen Y D, Cheng Y P, Jiang Y P, et al. Pump-and-treat method to remove nitrate from groundwater with liquor as the carbon source [J]. Environmental Earth Sciences, 2017,76(11):392.
[40] Guan N, Li J, Shin H dong, et al. Microbial response to environmental stresses: from fundamental mechanisms to practical applications [J]. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 2017,101(10):3991-4008.