In Situ Immobilization of Uranium in Structured Porous Media via Biomineralization at the Fracture/Matrix Interface

Although the biogeochemical processes underlying key bioremediation technologies are increasingly well understood, field-scale heterogeneity (both physical and biogeochemical) remains a major obstacle to successful field-scale implementation. In particular, slow release of contamination from low-permeability regions (primarily by diffusive/dispersive mass transfer) can hinder the effectiveness of remediation. This research aims to evaluate strategies that target bioremediation efforts at interfaces between high- and low-permeability regions of an aquifer in order to minimize the rate of contaminant transfer into high-permeability (high-flux) zones, and thereby reduce ultimate contaminant delivery to environmental receptors